Major city · United States
Bozeman
Stay 2–3 nights as a Yellowstone Country base: 1 day for downtown and Museum of the Rockies, 1 for the mountains or hot springs.
Bozeman is a college town of about 56,000 at 4,795 ft, ringed by the Bridger, Gallatin and Tobacco Root ranges and 90 mi north of Yellowstone. It works as a base for skiing, rafting and park trips, and as a stopover on I-90 between Butte and Billings. Downtown is compact and walkable; the airport is 8 mi northwest in Belgrade.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for hiking and park access; Dec–Mar for skiing
- avoid Jul–Aug crowds and peak lodging prices; check for smoke in late summer
- Airport
- BZN
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Bozeman911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bozeman, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyBozeman is a low-crime college town; the real risks are winter driving, altitude and wildlife on trails.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBZN Bozeman Yellowstone International (8 mi northwest in Belgrade; taxi, rideshare, hotel shuttles and rental cars).
- Getting aroundDowntown is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Street or quick mealBreakfast burrito or diner plate$12–18
- BeerCraft beer at a downtown taproom$7–9
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 mi taxi or rideshare$18–25
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum of the Rockies entry$20–25 (check)
- Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International (8 mi northwest in Belgrade; taxi, rideshare, hotel shuttles and rental cars)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Jun, Sep, Dec–Mar. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Dec (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bozeman: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
8 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
7 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
7 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Downtown is walkable. Streamline buses are fare-free Monday–Friday with late-night service Thursday–Saturday, covering Bozeman, Belgrade and Four Corners, with hubs at MSU and downtown at Mendenhall and Tracy. A car is needed for the mountains, hot springs and Yellowstone; rental cars are at the airport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Belgrade, Montana
goDoor to door: About 20 min
I-90 west about 10 mi, or the fare-free Streamline bus
Airport town with its own small downtown; pairs with a BZN flight.
Livingston, Montana
goDoor to door: About 30 min
I-90 east about 26 mi
Historic Main Street and the Yellowstone River; easy half-day.
Big Sky
goDoor to door: About 1 h
US-191 south about 45 mi
Ski resort in winter, hiking and ziplining in summer.
West Yellowstone
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
US-191 south about 90 mi
West entrance to Yellowstone; too far for a comfortable same-day return.
Gardiner, Montana
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
I-90 east then US-89 south, about 80 mi
North entrance to Yellowstone; sleep here for park mornings.
Red Lodge
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h (check)
I-90 east then US-212, about 130 mi
Beartooth Highway gateway; a full day each way, and US-212 over the pass is seasonal — check that it is open.
Cooke City
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h (check)
US-89 south then US-212 east, about 115 mi
Remote northeast Yellowstone; mountain route, so check current routing and that the pass is open before you set out.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Main Street
Walkable to restaurants, galleries and the Emerson; independent motels near E. Main and the Frontage Rd exit.
N. 7th Ave (Exit 306)
Chain hotels and a wider restaurant choice; not pedestrian-friendly, 5–10 min drive to downtown.
N. 19th Ave (Exit 305)
Strip development and big-box stores; furthest from downtown, best if you only need a bed near the highway.
Montana State University area
Budget beds and student energy; the Streamline bus links campus to downtown.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–250 excl. bed
- High
- $280+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 3 nights × US$180 | US$540 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$170 | US$1,020 |
| Airport shuttle or taxi, BZN to downtown, both ways2 × US$80 · check | US$160 |
| Streamline bus2 × US$0 · Fare-free Monday–Friday | US$0 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$176 |
| Trip total≈ US$323 per person per day, bed included | US$1,936 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and rental cars excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Breakfast burrito or diner plate | $12–18 |
| Craft beer at a downtown taproom | $7–9 |
| Museum of the Rockies entry | $20–25 (check) |
| Bozeman Hot Springs day pass | $21 adult, $17 ages 5–13 |
| Bridger Bowl lift ticket | $80–100 (check) |
| 5 mi taxi or rideshare | $18–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Lodging is tight and pricey at the start of the fall semester, graduation and Bobcat home football games — book early.
- Winter driving on I-90 and US-191 can be icy; carry chains or check conditions before mountain drives.
- Altitude is 4,795 ft: take the first day easy if you have come from sea level.
- Late-summer wildfire smoke can cut visibility and change hiking plans; check air quality daily.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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BozemanBozeman
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Bozeman; consulates are in Denver or Seattle, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BZN airport to downtown, taxi or rideshare: $30–45, about 20 min (check)
- Streamline bus in town: free, Monday–Friday
- Bozeman to West Yellowstone by shuttle: about $60–90 one way (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the pass open? — Is the pass open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- One coffee, please — One coffee, please
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bozeman. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking and park access; Dec–Mar for skiing · avoid Jul–Aug crowds and peak lodging prices; check for smoke in late summer · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BZN: last shuttle and rideshare windows, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown Main Street, the Emerson, MSU and the Museum of the Rockies, and the N. 7th hotel strip.
- Place pages with verified hours (Museum of the Rockies, American Computer & Robotics Museum, Gallatin History Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and smoke fixtures so mountain and park days can go green or be swapped.
Sources
- officialCity of Bozeman
- officialBozeman Yellowstone International Airport
- officialStreamline Bus
- officialMuseum of the Rockies
- officialBridger Bowl
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bozeman, revision 5321624 (CC BY-SA 4.0)