How to get outdoors this summer

With summer on the horizon, it’s time to turn our attention to the variety of outdoor summer activities Bozeman has to offer. Whether you enjoy spending time in nature or just soaking up the sun downtown, there’s something for everyone.

Hiking

The Gallatin Valley is hemmed in by four mountain ranges, each with unique hiking opportunities depending on what it is you are looking for. If a short hike after work or school sounds appealing, look no further than the College M trail in the Bridger Range. The Bridger Range also boasts access to the Drinking Horse trail, a 2.2 mile hike that can be completed in an afternoon.

For more experienced hikers, trails such as Storm Castle Peak and Sacagawea Peak can offer a great way to spend time outdoors while pushing yourself physically.

Music on Main

Each Thursday from July 11 to Aug. 15, downtown Bozeman will be closed to cars for “Music on Main.” This popular local event features musicians, both local bands and touring groups. It offers a new way to experience downtown and is a great way to support local businesses while enjoying good music.

The event is free to attend and those over the age of 21 can enjoy drinks from downtown bars and breweries as you wander Main Street and listen to the music.

The lineup of musicians hasn’t been released yet this year, but keep an eye on dowtownbozeman.org for updates and more information.

Bozeman Farmers Market

Lindley Park welcomes vendors from 5 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday for a farmers’ market, beginning on June 18. With over 90 vendors set to attend this year, there will be something for everyone. Vendors range from local farms and ranches offering fresh food and produce to artisans and craftsmen presenting custom works of art.

If that’s not enough, there are also vendors who will be selling food, candy and ice cream for you to enjoy while you see how talented the Bozeman community is.

Biking

Whether you want to ride downhill or just cruise around town, the Outdoor Recreation Program has you covered. Mountain bikes and commuter bikes are available for rental through the Outdoor Recreation Program’s website, https://www.montana.edu/outdoorrecreation. Rentals can be done on a daily basis or for the whole season, so if you want to try something new without a long term commitment that is more than an option.

For mountain bikers, Sypes Canyon and the Triple Tree Trail are both great options. Sypes Canyon is the more challenging of the two, and comes in at just under nine miles in length. Triple Tree is a more moderate ride, and is 5.4 miles.

Hopefully one of these options sparked some interest for a summer plan, but if it didn’t, don’t think this is a comprehensive list. There are too many options for enjoying summer in Bozeman to list here, so feel free to find the way that best suits your interests and skill level.