BOZEMAN // Area Intro & Highlights

In the early 1860s, John Bozeman created the Bozeman Trail, an offshoot of the Oregon Trail, leading people from modern-day Wyoming to the Montana gold rush centered in Virginia City. He and two associates planned the beginnings of the town that bears his name in 1864, correctly anticipating the draw of the Gallatin Valley. A newspaperman of the era, W.W. Alderson, described it as, “one of the most beautiful and picturesque valleys the eye ever beheld,” a sentiment that still holds true today.

Though there are now faster ways to get to Bozeman than by bumpy wagon train, the unmistakable allure of this vibrant city hasn’t changed. From the wide-open vistas to the blue ribbon trout streams and world-class skiing, nature beckons in every direction. In town, Montana State University and a robust tech sector are the basis of a thriving economy and an energetic community with a lively food scene.

BOZEMAN

BOZEMAN

Tight-knit communities with a pristine backdrop

Some Like it Hot

Five Great Hot Springs Soaks

Ahot soak on a cold day is a Bozeman tradition that’s older than the state of Montana. In 1879, local wagon and carriage maker Jeremiah Mathews opened Mathews’ Warm Springs, now Bozeman Hot Springs. The Bozeman AvantCourier enthused, “Mr. Mathew’s work may be considered one of the best possible things for the country and will undoubtedly be taken advantage of accordingly.”

The paper was right, and other hot springs soon followed. Today, the greater Bozeman area features several soaking options. West of town, Norris Hot Springs and Potosi Hot Springs offer different vibes, though both began as miners’ personal (and secret) hot tubs. Potosi is tiny and secluded, a hideaway in the Tobacco Roots Mountains. Norris has a livelier atmosphere, though the famed “Nudie Nights” of the past are no more; swimsuits are required.

Southeast of Bozeman, Chico Hot Springs and Yellowstone Hot Springs round out the geothermal hot spots. Chico began in 1900 as the Chico Warm Springs Hotel and has evolved with the times into a full resort and day spa with two large open-air hot springs pools. In 2019, Yellowstone Hot Springs opened—or reopened; the original hotel burned in 1916 and a later dude ranch fell into disrepair— and is now welcoming guests to its rebuilt pools with gorgeous Paradise Valley views.

Getting Crafty

Big Things Are Brewing in Bozeman’s Beer Scene

Montana’s breweries date back to the mid-1800s, when the combination of plentiful water, fields of wheat, and thirsty miners created a brewing explosion that continued to thrive across the state until Prohibition. Within the last decade, independent breweries have once again become big business in Montana. The craft scene in Bozeman is especially strong, with at least 10 breweries, a cider house, and a meadery currently operating in the city, and several more spread across the region in Big Sky, Livingston, Belgrade, and Ennis.

No matter your tastes in fermented beverages, chances are you can find a locally brewed version in and around the Gallatin Valley. Locals love the tried-and-true Midas Crush from MAP Brewing Company and the Yuppie Hammer from Outlaw Brewing. If your tastes run to the fringes, there’s also the Andsoit Gose sour ale at Bozeman Brewing Company, Bozeman’s original craft brewery, or hard kombucha seltzer at Dean’s Zesty Booch.

An added bonus to fancy beer is food to match: the entrees and snacks on offer at this new crowd of brewpubs resemble bar food in the same way that Bud Light resembles a Yamabiko Japanese rice lager from Mountains Walking. From oatmeal stouts to a good stout burger, great things are brewing in Bozeman.

We Are Family

How to accommodate multigenerational living

A2021 study by Generations United found that multigenerational living has increased almost fourfold over the last decade. And while the pandemic was responsible for some of the uptick, 70 percent of the people surveyed report that they plan to continue with their living arrangements over the long-term.

Van K. Bryan, founder of Studio Architects in Bozeman, points out that thoughtful design incorporates a variety of future possibilities, including your own.

“People are interested in making sure that accessibility is paramount,” he says. “Whether that’s putting the primary bedroom on the main level—recognizing that at some point we won’t be able to get around as well as we used to—or including semidetached guest quarters for aging or less ambulatory parents. We look at how we can provide people their own spaces, both inside and outside, so everyone can find some time to themselves.”

Because it’s good to be together, but it’s also good to have some breathing room. Being prepared for whatever the future holds, whether it’s young grandparents moving in to provide fulltime childcare, elderly parents needing help close at hand, or kids moving back in during graduate school, starts with the design and layout of your home.