Bozeman
Trailheads, rivers and ski slopes are a short drive from downtown Bozeman, which makes the outdoors the main draw.
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Bozeman is a college city in southwest Montana, set in the Gallatin Valley between the Bridger Range and the Gallatin Range. It is the county seat of Gallatin County and home to Montana State University, so downtown draws students and outdoor guides alongside visitors. Main Street has shops and restaurants within walking distance of each other.
The mountains around town are the main reason to go. Hyalite Canyon is known for hiking and ice climbing, Bridger Bowl is a ski area a short drive north, and the Gallatin River is popular for fly fishing. Yellowstone's north entrance is about 90 minutes away, so Bozeman works well as a base. Summer and early fall suit hiking and fishing, while winter is the season for skiing. Plan at least two or three days in town, or add more if you are combining it with Yellowstone.
Bozeman in five
- Reserve a car at Bozeman's airportBozeman has no passenger train, and Yellowstone's West Entrance is about 1.5 to 2 hours away by road. Reserve the car before you fly in to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN).Getting around
- Buy bear spray after you landTSA rules bar bear spray from both carry-on and checked bags, so buy it in Bozeman. Carry it on hikes in grizzly country.
- Download offline maps for the canyonsCell service drops in Gallatin Canyon and at many trailheads. Save offline maps before you drive or hike.Phones and eSIM
- Check Montana 511 before a mountain driveSnow, closures and construction on the roads to Big Sky and Yellowstone change quickly. Montana 511 lists current road conditions for the state.
- Expect lodging tax, not sales taxMontana has no statewide sales tax, so shop prices are close to what you pay. Check whether hotel rates include lodging taxes before you book.Money and costs
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver passports, visa for most others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected at restaurants, bars, taxis and rideshare
- Time
- UTC-7, with daylight saving to UTC-6 in summer
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-11°Ski seasonJanuaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -11°
- Precipitation
- 32 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-12°Cold, snowyFebruarySnow
Good
- High
- -3°
- Low
- -12°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snowy
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh3°Low-6°Snow, thawMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, thaw
- AprilRain13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh8°Low-2°Mud seasonAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Mud season
- MayRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low3°Green, unsettledMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, unsettled
- JunePartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low8°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Long days
- JulyClear4 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low12°Warm, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, busy
- AugustClear4 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low12°Warm, clearAugustClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, clear
- SeptemberClear7 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low8°Cooling, crispSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Cooling, crisp
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh11°Low0°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh4°Low-6°Quiet, coldNovemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, cold
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-10°Ski seasonDecemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -10°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
Average daily high and low in Bozeman, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bozeman
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
3
- Feels like
- 1°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 33%
Bozeman
01:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today6°1°33%Monday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Tue9°0°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed8°1°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°1°7%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Fri9°1°20%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sat10°1°13%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 10°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sun13°4°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 11:17 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Yellowstone National Parkabout 1.5 to 2 hours by road to the West EntranceGeysers, bison and wildlife. The round trip is long, so start early.
- Big Skyabout 45 minutes by carA ski resort in winter and a base for hiking in summer.
- Livingstonabout 40 minutes by carA small railroad town with a historic depot.
Before you go to Bozeman
Rules for Bozeman, checked
- Whether you need a visa or ESTA depends on your passport. Check current entry rules on travel.state.gov before you book.Source
- In Yellowstone, stay at least 25 yards from bison, elk and most wildlife, and 100 yards from bears and wolves. Check the National Park Service site before you go.Source
- Bear spray cannot go in checked or carry-on luggage on flights. Buy it after you land, and check the TSA list of prohibited items before you pack.Source
- The legal drinking age in Montana is 21, and bars and shops may ask for photo ID. Carry your passport or a valid ID.
Plan around Bozeman
Parks, towns and day trips across the state
Read the guideGetting around BozemanRental cars and rides for town and the parks
Read the guideWhere to stay in BozemanCompare bases in town and along the canyon road
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs ESTA or a visa before flying
Read the guidePhones and eSIMCoverage gaps and offline maps for canyon trips
Read the guideBozeman FAQ
Is Bozeman worth visiting?
Yes, if you plan to hike, ski or drive into Yellowstone. Downtown is walkable, but trailheads and the sights outside town need a car.
How many days do you need in Bozeman?
Two to three days covers downtown, the Museum of the Rockies and one mountain outing. Add a full day for Yellowstone, which is about 1.5 to 2 hours by road each way.
How do you get from the airport to Bozeman?
Rent a car, or take a taxi or rideshare, from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in Belgrade. Bozeman has no passenger train.
Do I need a car in Bozeman?
Downtown can be walked, but trailheads, Big Sky and Yellowstone need a car or a tour. Rideshare works for short trips around town.
When is the best time to visit Bozeman?
Summer, from June to September, suits hiking and Yellowstone. Winter suits skiing at Bridger Bowl and Big Sky, and spring is muddy.