In 1863, a pioneer named John Bozeman opened the Bozeman Trail, which branched out from the Oregon Trail leading to the mining town of Virginia City and through the area that would later become Bozeman. Bozeman and several partners plotted the town in August of 1864. The Northern Pacific Railroad reached Bozeman from the east in 1883, and by the turn of the 20th century, Bozeman had a population of around 3,500. In 1893, Montana State University was established in town as Montana's land-grant college. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st century, Bozeman gained many new inhabitants because of its plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as fly fishing, hiking, mountaineering, and whitewater kayaking.
Bozeman's present-day population sits at around 54,000, and it's mostly known for its wonderful outdoor areas, as well as its proximity to the world-famous Yellowstone National Park. When you're exploring the area, you may want to start by enjoying some fun out in the fresh air. You could enjoy a scenic hike on the famous College "M" Hiking Trail, hit the slopes at the Big Sky Resort & Bridger Bowl Ski Area, go backpacking through the Custer Gallatin National Forest, or soak up the breathtaking views from Burke Park.
While you're in town, you should certainly take some time to explore the downtown Main Street area of Bozeman. There, you'll find unique storefronts, popular cafés, and plenty of wonderful restaurants. You ought to also visit a handful of the many unique educational attractions around the city. There's the Museum of the Rockies, which is known for its incredible Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. There's also the American Computer & Robotics Museum, where you can check out all sorts of interesting exhibits and artifacts. Finally, if you want to learn about the fascinating history of southwestern Montana, you can spend an afternoon browsing the Gallatin History Museum.
If you're in search of a truly relaxing experience while you're in town, head to the Bozeman Hot Springs. There, you'll find 12 different pools to soak in as well as a campground and complete fitness facility.
Summerfest - The annual Summerfest event in Bozeman is free for all to attend and offers all sorts of family activities. The festival is happening in mid-August on 3rd Avenue in Bozeman.
Bozeman Ice Festival - The Bozeman Ice Festival is a unique annual event that celebrates the amazing sport of ice climbing. If you're an ice-climbing enthusiast, come on out to the festival in mid-December.
Sweet Pea Festival - The annual Sweet Pea Festival has been a Bozeman tradition for more than 40 years. Taking place in early August at Lindley Park and will feature music of all genres, theater and dance performances, a beer and wine garden, workshops, family-friendly activities, and much more.
Located in northern Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park is one of the most famous natural sites in the United States. The park is home to several iconic landmarks, with the most famous one being the Old Faithful geyser. In fact, the area features more geysers and hot springs than anywhere else on the planet. Most visitors to the park make the trip to take in the unique landscape and get a glimpse at the bison and other cool creatures that call the area home.
Grand Teton National Park is another magnificent destination found in Wyoming. The breathtaking natural area boasts gorgeous vistas, sparkling blue lakes, stunning mountain peaks, and abundant wildlife. Visitors to the impressive park enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, scenic driving, horseback riding, backcountry camping, and mountaineering.
Glacier National Park, which is nicknamed the "Crown of the Continent," comprises more than 1 million acres of land in northwestern Montana. The vast park contains over 130 lakes, 734 miles of peaceful nature trails, and many peaks towering between 3,000 and 10,000 feet high. The area is an excellent destination for spotting wildlife like mountain lions, black bears, grizzly bears, bats, and bighorn sheep. Glacier regularly hosts guided hikes, boat tours, and stargazing events while many visitors also partake in backcountry camping, rock climbing, fly fishing, mountain biking, and even skiing.
Missouri Headwaters State Park comprises 532 acres in southern Montana and marks the beginning point of the majestic Missouri River. Known for its abundance of wildlife and beautiful scenery, the park is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, kayaking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Fans of history will want to stop by Bannack State Park, which features the remains of an old mining town first founded in 1862. Today, roughly 60 of the original buildings remain, and visitors can stroll through the town imagining what it was once like to live there. The park offers opportunities for ghost walks and gold panning, and there are some great kids' activities as well.
Buffalo Bill State Park is known as the gateway to Yellowstone but is also an interesting place to visit in its own right. The park features a great visitor center with interpretive exhibits as well as some lovely hiking trails and year-round fishing spots.
If you're on a journey through Montana, you should absolutely try to visit a few of the state's many cool monuments and landmarks. One very cool destination with historical significance is Lewis & Clark Pass, located between Great Falls and Helena. Before the pass was visited by the famous explorers, it was frequented by Native Americans. You'll need to take a short hike to reach the spot, but the scenery and views are gorgeous.
The Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is found relatively near Helena and represents a very important site for the history of cattle ranching. The site dates way back to 1862 and served a major role in an important part of American history. There are some awesome guided tours for visitors to explore the historic landmark.
If you travel between Bozeman and Butte, you can stop by Virginia City, a town that was founded back in 1863 as part of the major gold rush. Today, the city is essentially a huge, open-air museum where visitors can explore many historical buildings and landmarks.
You could have a wonderful time camping at Osen’s RV Park & Campground, which offers 48 RV campsites available for $43-$53 per night. The campground features a large dog area, a brand-new bathhouse, a basketball court, a store selling RV supplies, and several walking trails. There are full RV hookups available at the park as well.
If you're interested in having convenient access to Yellowstone National Park, you may want to camp at Yellowstone RV Park. There, you can rent one of the 46 full-hookup RV campsites for $62-$67 per night, and you'll have access to laundry facilities that are exceptionally clean.
The Cardwell Store & RV Park is another top-notch campground in the Bozeman area. The park boasts 39 full-hookup RV campsites that can be rented for $39 per night or $245 per week. The park's amenities include a private fishing pond, a convenience store, and a gas station, and during your stay, you'll also have an excellent chance of seeing some wildlife.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Bozeman, MT, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Bozeman?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Bozeman from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Bozeman?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.