Great Day Trips to Experience the Beauty of SW Montana
Montana is one of a kind. We are fortunate to live in a state with so much open space. Essentially, Montana is perfect for social distancing.
If you need to get outside for a breath of fresh air, here are a few great day trips to explore some of what southwest Montana has to offer.
- Gallatin River
Gallatin River 1Gallatin River Canyon Loop
The Gallatin River Canyon provides some of the most pristine scenery Montana has to offer. If leaving from Bozeman:
- Head south of Hwy 191 through the Gallatin River Canyon.
- Drive through the canyon until you reach the Hwy 287 Junction. Take a right towards Quake Lake and Ennis, MT.
- Stay on Hwy 287 until you reach the Hwy 84 junction at Norris, MT. Take right at Norris.
- Take Hwy 84 to Four Corners, and continue straight to Bozeman.
The loop takes approximately 3-4 hours, but guarantees some incredible sights!
- Crazy Mountains
Crazy Mountains 2Crazy Mountain Loop
If you want to head east, the Crazy Mountain Loop is a great option.
If leaving from Bozeman:
- Head north on Hwy 86/Bridger Canyon
- Take right at Hwy 89 junction near towards Wilsall
- Drive south on Hwy 89 through Clyde Park until you reach the I-90 junction
- Head west on I-90 towards Bozeman
The drive takes approximately 2 hours.
- facebook.com/virginiacitymt
facebook.com/virginiacitymt 3Virginia City Loop
If you've never been to Virginia City, it makes for a great drive with the family.
If leaving from Bozeman:
- Head west on I-90 towards Whitehall/Hwy 55
- Head south towards Twin Bridges, MT
- Take left at Hwy 287 junction towards Sheridan and Virginia City, MT
- Follow Hwy 287 to Ennis, MT
- Head north on Hwy 287 towards Norris, MT/Hwy 84
- Take right at Norris/Hwy 84
- Continue straight 36 miles until you reach Bozeman
The trip takes approximately 3-4 hours.
- Jesse Ropelato
Jesse Ropelato 4The Elkhorn Mountain Loop
The Elkhorn Mountain Range is a beautiful mountain range just west of Bozeman.
If leaving from Bozeman:
- Head west on I-90 to Three Forks, MT
- Take exit 274 and head north on Hwy 287
- Follow Hwy 287 through Townsend, MT towards Helena, MT
- At I-15 junction, take a left and head south towards Jefferson City, MT
- Continue through Jefferson City, MT towards Boulder, MT. Take exit 164/Hwy 69 towards Boulder, MT and Cardwell, MT
- Once you reach Carwell, MT, head east on I-90 towards Bozeman
The trip takes approximately 3-4 hours.