Erin & Brian
Things To Do
Yellowstone National Park
Mountain Lions, Bisons, and Bears, oh my! Yellowstone National Park is an absolute must see. Take a day to drive through the park. Stop at geysers and hot springs, see bison, bears, wolves, and elk, and enjoy the preserved and protected beauty of the west. Gardiner, MT is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park and is less than an hour from Pray. Be sure to research the boiling river and Lamar Valley, both of which are close to the Gardiner entrance.
Seek out the Sights
If you're looking for a chance to see the grandeur of Montana without back-breaking hikes, the Beartooth Highway is a drive worth taking. The pass is a 68 mile road that takes you INTO the mountains, reaching as high as 9,363 ft. The road starts in Yellowstone National Park, winds through Cooke City, past a year road ski hill, and down into the pretty town of Red Lodge. Expect to see wildflowers, wildlife, and stunning mountain views. There are plenty of stops and vistas along the way, turns out when you drive to the "top of the world" there are views everywhere you look! If you drive to Red Lodge, be sure to grab a six pack of Red Lodge's Bent Nail IPA, one of Brian and Erin's favorites!
Hiking
Did you say you wanted hikes nearby? Well, Chico's got it! There is a private trail system available to all guests with trails ranging from 2 to 5 miles long. There's also an 18 hole disc gold course right on site! If you're willing to explore beyond Chico, check out Pine Creek Falls and Passage Creek Falls, neither of which are too far from the resort. Paradise valley is a spectacular place, there are a plethora of hikes from around Livingston all the way down to Gardiner at the park entrance - get your explore on!
Fishing
Paradise Valley is a fishing mecca for many. There are six rivers, with great trout fisheries, that are all easily accessible from the area: the Gallatin, Madison, Yellowstone, Boulder, Stillwater, and Missouri rivers. Brian's favorite fishing spot is on the Madison River and has easy access on foot from the Beartrap Canyon. If you want to channel your inner Brad Pitt, fish on the Gallatin River which is where the movie "A River Runs Through It" was filmed. There are a few different rentals and guided tour companies within the Valley, one of which is Montana Fly Fishing. Others include: Rockin’ HK Outfitters, Sweetwater Fly Shop, Brant Oswald Fly Fishing Services, and Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop.
Horseback Riding
Go ahead, saddle up and channel your inner cowboy and cowgirl while you're out west. There are trail rides for newbies to experienced, right from Chico!, that offer you a chance to see the wild outdoors on horseback. Yeehaw!
Rafting
July gets hot in Montana, good thing rafting can be a great way to cool down. Chico Hot Springs has a partnership with Flying Pig Adventure Company that offers 8 and 18-mile whitewater rafting trips, scenic floats, and all-day excursions. Some of these trips even leave from the resort property!
Explore the town of Livingston, MT
The town of Livingston is a quaint country town, complete with restaurants, breweries, Main street shops, and even some history museums. Livingston is 30 minutes from Chico Hot Springs.
Travel to Bozeman, MT
You'll be flying into Bozeman, MT; the city where Brian and Erin met and fell in love! Take a day to explore downtown and all the food, fun, and festivities it has to offer. Our favorite food and drink spots include: Map Brewing, Bridger Brewing and Pizza, Dave's Sushi, Blackbird Cafe, Plonk, and Copper Whisky Bar. Some local hikes include the Gallagator Trail through town, Story Hills, Snowfall Park, Palisade Falls, and Hyalite Reservoir. For the more adventurous, the M Trail, Sacagawea Peak, Fairy Lake, or Baldy are go-to's but are much more demanding and require a little more planning.