Things To Do
Yellowstone Park
1. Yellowstone Park- spend an entire day or two and experience the park-bear, elk, wolves, deer, antelope, bison, see old faithful and much more (>2 hours away) Make the loop- from Ennis down to West Yellowstone (stop at Quake Lake) then to Old Faithful and back out of Gardiner to Paradise Valley back to BZN
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
2. When in West Yellowstone see the I-Max Theater and the Grizzly/Wolves Discovery Center
Virginia City
3. Virigina City, MT- (15mins) gold rush ghost town -experience the old west, 3-7-77 vigilante trail, (if you know, you know) experience the 1860’s original town and hanging barn. Really close to Ennis and worth the drive
4. Pan for sapphires’- Alder Gluch -outside VA City/Nevada City (30 mins from Ennis)
4. Pan for sapphires’- Alder Gluch -outside VA City/Nevada City (30 mins from Ennis)
Bozeman
5. Bozeman- (1 hour) shopping, restaurants, Montana State University
Museum of the Rockies
6. Museum of the Rockies in BZN- if you are a Jurassic Park fan, this is your museum to see, dinosaurs and much more
Hike to the big "M" Bridger Mountains/Bozeman
7. Hike to the Big “M” in the Bridgers- the drive is easy- the elevation gain is a different story, incredible views and worth the uphill hike, located outside BZN headed towards Bridger Bowl. Watch the sunset or rise from the Top of the “M”
Hyalite Reservoir
8. Hyalite Reservoir (1.5 hour drive) huge reservoir outside BZN by 45 mins- well worth the hike to Palisade waterfalls (an hour hike) then hike to Grotto waterfalls (an hour hike) both waterfalls are worth the hike to experience it.
Gates of the Mountains, Inc.
9. Gates of the Mountains Boat Tour -outside Helena, MT (2 hour drive) Go on the guided boat tour up the Missouri River- see wildlife, native pictographs, and the Mann Gluch Fire that took 15 smoke jumpers’ lives in 1949 On the way, make sure to stop in Three Forks, MT at Wheat Montana and grab a fresh roll from the bakery.
Lower Fairy Lake Trailhead/Sno-park
10. Fairy Lake (1.5 hours from Ennis) This glacier lake can be hiked around in an hour. It is located just past Bridger Bowl Ski area in the Bridger Mountains maybe 45 mins from BZN. You will need a high clearance 4wd to get up to the lake trailhead but the drive is worth the views. You will not be disappointed.
Floating the Madison River by Norris (Tubing)
11. Float the Madison River- get a tube or raft- recommend floating between Bozeman and Ennis over towards Norris.
Fishing the Madison River
Fly Fish- so many rivers and options- Ryan knows a few guides if you want to hire a professional- rivers like the Madison, Jefferson, Gallatin, Missouri or Beaverhead. Fish from shore or hire a guide and float the river – rainbow, bull, brown, cutthroat trout galore. Our venue is located right next to the Madison River.
Pipestone
13. Pipestone- Off Road ORV riding area (1 hour) go see the “ringing rocks” and explore countless miles of off-road OHV trails- there are two different rental options right at pipestone itself to rental atv’s and side by sides.
Bridger Creek Golf Course
14. Golf Bozeman- Bridger Creek Golf Course as well as four other courses in BZN
Lewis and Clark Caverns
15. Lewis and Clark Caverns- outside Whitehall- explore inside the caves (1 hr drive)
Montana Grizzly Encounter
16. Grizzly Discover Center- See live Grizzly Bears- Bozeman / Livingston MT off I90 on the BZN pass (45 mins from BZN)
Tobacco Root Mountains Mountain Bike
17. Bring a mountain bike and go ride- almost anywhere
Chico Hot Springs
18. Chico Hot Springs- between Livingston and Gardiner- Prey MT go soak and enjoy the views. In paradise valley on the way to Gardiner and Yellowstone Park.
Bozeman Hot Springs
19. Other hot springs nearby- Norris Hot Springs, Bozeman Hot Springs, Boulder Hot Springs- go soak
Grand Teton National Park/Jackson Hole
About 5 hours south of Ennis below Yellowstone. Check out the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole, WY book in advance if you are lodging
Glacier National Park
You will be driving an extra 6 hours to get there but it is sooooooo worth it. Limited time to see Glacier Park due to weather and snow. See Glacier's and lakes and postcard material everywhere you look. Book lodging way in advance.
Earthquake Lake
Short drive from Ennis (45 mins) down to Quake Lake- (on the way to Island Park and West Yellowstone) Quake Lake was formed by an earthquake in 1959. You might see mountain goats and big horn sheep on the cliffs by the lake.