Welcome to Bozeman, now get outside

As warmer weather approaches many Bozemanites are looking for the exciting prospects of activities in the great outdoors. The areas surrounding Bozeman have so much to offer when it comes to hiking, canoeing and everything else in between.  

While there may not be sparkling oceans and white sand beaches, the water recreation opportunities are still abundant and exciting. From fly fishing to swimming to whitewater rafting, there are plenty of options for adventure. 

As the academic year comes to a close, some facilities are still open on campus. One is the Outdoor Recreation Program (ORP). The ORP rents out equipment and supplies throughout the summer. MSU students, faculty and staff can rent paddleboards, kayaks, canoes and float tubes for the day or weekend at an affordable price. ORP even offers trips, clinics and classes on many outdoor events. 

Heather Smith, a junior who works as a trip leader and clinic instructor for the ORP stressed the importance of safety and knowing your boundaries when it comes to water sports.

“My overall thing is to wear a life jacket or even a wetsuit if you want, because the waters around here are a lot colder here than you think they may be.” Smith said.

To make it easy and convenient, the ORP rents life jackets out for free.

If you want to start the summer off with a calm float, the Madison River has miles of slow-moving water to float down in tubes, paddle boards or kayaks. Perfect for a lazy summer day, this river is definitely a popular one. 

Swimming is a great way to spend an afternoon, especially on warmer summer days. Glen Lake’s Bozeman Beach is a popular place to escape the summer heat. But if you want to get out of city limits, both Hyalite Reservoir and Fairy Lake are attractive swimming spots. It is important to keep in mind the dangers of colder water and notice the symptoms of hypothermia and shock. The best place to educate oneself about these dangers is the American Red Cross website. 

For those seeking more of an adrenaline rush on the water, whitewater rafting is something to look into. While Bozeman is not traditionally credited for its abundance of whitewater rafting, there are still some gems to enjoy. Montana Whitewater Rafting and ZipLine Tours regularly takes trips down the Gallatin river. 

“We’ll be planning on doing some whitewater rafting, specifically on the Yellowstone River, some class two, class three, more accessible water,” Smith said. “There’s multiple sections along that river, so if you're just getting into it there's places for everyone.”

Canoeing and kayaking are also very popular activities. With rentals being relatively cheap they are great vessels that allow for an easy and relaxing venture. These activities can be enjoyed by all ages and groups. The huge advantage of these activities is that people can enjoy them in whatever environment they feel comfortable in. If you are looking for a more predictable paddle you can head up to a lake, but if river travel is in mind that can be accomplished as well. A popular calm river to paddle down is the Missouri River. 

If you’re looking to rent gear or just gain knowledge on the areas surrounding Bozeman, the ORP is a valuable resource and fairly affordable. Northern Lights Paddling Company on Huffine also offers rentals and more professional knowledge about gear and up-to-date information on local areas. 

Not all the fun’s in the water. There are many hiking trails around the Gallatin Valley that range from short half-day hikes to week-long backpacking trips. If you take the New World Gulch Trail up about 5 ½ miles you will reach Mystic Lake. This hike can be squeezed into a day or spread out into two if you plan to stay and camp along the lake. There is also a forest service cabin next to the lake that can be reserved before your trip on Recreation.gov. Mystic lake holds rainbow trout and is an excellent fishing destination once the lake thaws. 

Lava Lake trail is about half the distance of the trail to Mystic lake with a 6 mile total round trip. It features a steady climb that follows a small creek with occasional switchbacks. This relatively short hike is an excellent option for swimming on warmer summer days with boulders along the bank to lay on. While Lava Lake sounds like a summer destination, it is known to be trekked year-round and even snowshoed to.

If you are wanting something that can be done in an evening after work, trails like Drinking Horse and the ‘M’ Trail will fit the bill nicely. Though it has a steep incline, the ‘M’ Trail takes no more than an hour to complete at a normal pace, although people often traverse it multiple times for a cardio workout.

For people who are more advanced and are looking for a multi-day or weekend backpacking trip, Bozeman is the gateway to various 10+ mile trails. One of the longest options you will find in the area is the Bear Canyon trail that extends past Mystic Lake. The whole loop is around 34 miles long and finishes by traversing down the Sourdough Canyon trailhead. The Bridger Ridge trail can be completed in a day with good preparation and an early start. This ridge is best to run in the hottest months as you are exposed to the climate for a large portion of the hike. The most popular route begins at Fairy Lake and ends at the ‘M’-Trail. If you are looking to get more information regarding longer trips, sites like AllTrails.com not only provide descriptions and distances of the hikes but also have reviews from people who have already completed them.

If you’re a die-hard fisherman in Bozeman, the summers can be a frustrating time to find quieter waters. While it is definitely more work and a workout before you even put a line in the water, destination hikes to mountain lakes can often be the best options for those tired of chasing schooled fish. Often a little more effort to find fish will pay off big, and a couple of mountain lake trout can be thought of as a bonus after a hike through the mountains.

No matter how you plan on getting outside this summer, Bozeman has a lot of opportunities to enjoy the natural landscape. Just be sure to respect and enjoy nature while leaving no trace.