Jessica & Antonio
Make It A Vacation: Things To Do
Yellowstone National Park
Our wedding takes places in the stunning Paradise Valley area of Livingston Montana which is located at the foot of the Yellowstone River. There are many surrounding parks we recommend visiting while you're in the area before or after the big day. Aside from Yellowstone, you may want to visit Grand Teton, Craters of the Moon and more! A comprehensive list can be found here below the information for Yellowstone. https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/explore-parks/yellowstone-national-park?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIodf356PS8wIVEgOLCh0n6g-qEAAYAyAAEgLWivD_BwE There are multiple entrances and areas of access in and out of Yellowstone. We recommend planning well in advance due to seasonal area demand. The North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park is located at Gardiner, Montana and provides easy access to the Albright Visitor Center & Mammoth Hot Springs. From the North Entrance you can travel north on US 89 to Livingston, Montana or south into Yellowstone.
Big Sky
Big Sky is an outdoors person's dream, nestled high in the Gallatin National Forest, presided over by Lone Mountain and just a few miles from Yellowstone Park. There are many places to stay and visit in the area however we recommend The Big Sky Ski Resort or surrounding properties based on availability. The resort offers ample activities for all seasons, with exhilarating skiing and snowboarding in the winter and scenic lift rides during the summer it worth a visit even in July! The surrounding terrain and trails make excellent biking, snowshoeing, horseback riding or snowmobiling escapes, while the Gallatin River offers thrills for the intrepid rafter. Summer is a perfect time to enjoy many of these activities for our active guests!
Yellowstone River Rafting & Fly Fishing
The area is packed with activities that we can't wait for you all to enjoy! This area of Montana is known for its fly fishing, wade-walk fishing, white water rafting, kayaking, Horse back riding and more! There are many providers of these tours, and services however one that we highly recommend is: Wild West Rafting and Fishing. We will have plenty of recommendations around the venue as well. We recommend booking these activities with your friends and family early as availability is limited during this part of the peak summer season.
Downtown Bozeman
Bozeman isn't just where you'll be flying into, its a fun small Pacific Northwest Mountain town and reminded us of a pre boom Austin of 30 years ago. Even if you plan to stay in the Valley or Livingston we recommend a day or night in Downtown Bozeman or perhaps a night to stay in the area. We enjoyed a short stay at RSVP Motel (see travel tab). There are some great restaurants and Bars, many can be found on the website here. A few area favorites of ours for food + drink include, South 9th Bistro, Squire House, Plonk and more here: https://downtownbozeman.org/directory/dining If you're joining us for Sunday night Cider at Lockhorn you'll have an opportunity to start or end your day or night in the Downtown Area
Downtown Livingston
Livingston, Montana is a real-deal, Old West-style town complete with vintage neon bar signs and snow-capped peaks in the distance. Livingston is nestled between the Crazy (yes that's the actual range name!) and Absaroka mountain ranges on the banks of the Yellowstone River in southwestern Montana. A former railroad town founded in 1882, it has lost none of its quintessential Old West ambience. It's home to artists and writers in addition to ranchers. Margot Kidder and Jim Harrison called Livingston home, and Thomas McGuane and Jeff Bridges still live nearby. The 19th-century brick buildings that line the town’s Main Street give way to a breathtaking view of Livingston Peak, which towers above the horizon to the south. Check out this link for some additional history, photos and one of the best recap's we found based on our own visit to the quaint cool trapped in time railroad town: https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/visiting-livingston-montana-guide
Billings
Just a 2 hour drive from Copper Rose Ranch and the Bozeman/Livingston area Billings might be a stop you'll want to add to your list. Its a great spot for our outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies with lots to see, do, eat and drink. There are 50 miles of trails in and around Billings, known as “Montana’s Trailhead.” Get your bearings at Swords Rimrock Park, where you can gaze at the six nearby mountain ranges. Montana’s largest city is also its most cosmopolitan, with farm-to-table restaurants focusing on local fare. The Billings Brew Trail leads to six breweries, two distilleries, and one cider house within a mile or so of the historic downtown. The city prides itself on its history, and Yellowstone County Museum has the area’s largest display of Native American beadwork. Nearby Pictograph Caves State Park has 2,000-year-old artwork by the area’s earliest inhabitants.
Red Lodge
Is Red Lodge Montana worth visiting? Image result for red lodge montana Red Lodge, Montana is an awesome location to visit with so many great outdoor recreation options, scenery and restaurants. You can plan a whole trip here or include it as a stop on your Yellowstone Vacation. It is in the Billings general area and is just over 2 hours from Bozeman and our general wedding venue area. You can learn more about visiting the Mountain here: https://www.redlodgemountain.com/ We also recommend this Blog for some great info on various activities for every kind of visitor including families and groups of friends: https://www.crazyfamilyadventure.com/red-lodge-montana/
Chico Hot Springs
Chico Hot Springs is loaded with history and close to our wedding venue. It features rustic accommodations but is also fun for a visit even if you don't stay here! Historic Chico Hot Springs Resort & Spa has been a favorite Montana retreat since the doors opened in 1900. Situated at the base of Emigrant Peak, the historic lodge and pools are close to Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park and the quaint town of Livingston. Resort accommodations that range from rooms in the original Victorian inn; luxury cabins; “glamping” Conestoga wagons; western chalets; and modern lodge rooms all with views of the surrounding Absaroka, Crazy and Gallatin mountain ranges. Two outdoor natural hot springs pools offer the perfect soaking temperatures. Chico is the ultimate base camp for wildlife-viewing, daytrips to Yellowstone National Park or adventures in the surrounding mountains.