Summer in the Gallatin Valley is something special. Those mountain views, bluebird skies, and endless outdoor adventures are exactly why we all love calling this place home.

When those long summer days arrive, Belgrade is a great jumping-off point for everything Montana has to offer. With Yellowstone just down the road, the Madison and Gallatin rivers practically in our backyard, and the Bridger Mountains standing tall above town, we’re genuinely spoiled with choices for outdoor fun.

We’ve rounded up our favorite summer must-dos around Bozeman and Belgrade to help you make the most of these sunshine-filled months. Consider this your insider guide to creating unforgettable Montana memories!

1. Attend an Outdoor Concert

There’s no shortage of live outdoor music in the Gallatin Valley in the summer! You’ll find plenty of people soaking up the sunshine, enjoying the gorgeous scenery and tunes.

Here are some of our favorite places to enjoy live music – depending on the event, most are family friendly:

• Music on Main in Bozeman: Every Thursday for six weeks during July and August, Main Street closes to cars and welcomes pedestrians to an evening of live music, food trucks, and children’s activities.
• Belgrade Summer Nights in Belgrade: On five Wednesdays in June, July, and August, people can enjoy live music, food trucks, kid’s activities, and more!
• Pine Creek Lodge in Livingston: Everyone loves this unique outdoor music venue – set amongst the pines, you can listen to live music and watch the stars come out. They offer camping options for those who want to stay overnight after the show.
• Old Saloon in Paradise Valley: The Old Saloon offers an authentic Montana experience you can’t get anywhere else.
• Sweet Pea Festival in Bozeman: Attend the Sweet Pea Festival for live music, local art, a children’s run and parade, and so much more.
• Bridger Brewing in Three Forks: Bridger Brewing features live music on their expansive field throughout the summer, with options to camp after each performance.

2. Float the Madison River

Floating the Madison is a must do in the summer! Not only is the scenery gorgeous – the river is surrounded by grassy meadows and tall cliffs. You might even see a bald eagle or two!

Plan your float between mid-June and August. In early June, the water is usually still too fast and cold. You’ll need two cars to shuttle, and you can put in at the Warm Springs Access and take out at Black’s Ford.

You can tie a group of inner tubes together or use a raft. Bring snacks, water, and plenty of sunscreen. Avoid bringing glass on the river – plastic bottles and cans are fine. The water on the Madison River flows relatively slowly, making it a great activity for all ages.

3. Hike Sacajawea Peak & Swim in Fairy Lake

This activity combines the best of two worlds – a classic (and tough) Bozeman hike with a cold dip in Fairy Lake. The 4-mile out-and-back trail begins and ends at Fairy Lake, meaning you can easily hop in the water to cool off afterward! You’ll probably need to – although short, this hike gains an impressive 2,000 feet in elevation gain, making it much tougher than it sounds.

Mountain goats are a relatively common occurrence on Sacajawea Peak (or “Sac” for short). Keep your eye out for them when you’re at Fairy Lake too – we’ve seen them scaling the cliffs above the lake.

The last portion of the road to the lake is dirt and fairly rough, so 4-wheel drive is a must. However, we promise it’s worth it, even just for Fairy Lake alone!

4. White Water Rafting on the Gallatin River

Looking for some adventure? Try whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River, where you can raft anything from Class I (a relaxing float) to Class IV (challenging whitewater). Montana Whitewater’s rafting trips are a great place to start – they offer a wide variety of experiences on the river, from peaceful outings for families to adrenaline-fueled excursions for adventurers.

You’ll raft along the gorgeous Gallatin Canyon, where you can keep an eye out for wildlife – we’ve seen bald eagles plenty of times, and you may also encounter moose, elk, bears, and river otters!

5. Attend a Summer Event

Aside from concerts, there are plenty of exciting summer events in Bozeman and Belgrade. Here are some of our favorites:

• Valley View Rodeo in Bozeman: Barrel races, bucking horses, and more
• Gallatin Speedway in Belgrade: Cars race each other on a large track
• Art Walks in Bozeman: Free community events where artists set their art up in stores
• Farmers Markets: Several farmers markets in Bozeman and one in Belgrade
• Flower U-Pick at Four Daughters Farm: Pick your own floral bouquet
• Big Sky State Fair: Rides, concerts, food, and more

6. Fly Fishing on the Yellowstone River

July and August are great months to go fly fishing on the Yellowstone River! You can expect stoneflies in July and terrestrial species in August, among many others. Fish include rainbow, brown, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. While float fishing is more popular on this river, you can also go wade fishing – specifically between Gardiner and Yankee Jim Canyon.

Want a guide to show you the best spots? Book a trip with one of the many fly fishing outfitters in town, like Montana Angling Co.

7. Watch the Sunset From the M or Peet’s Hill

Sunsets really are something else in the summer! Thanks to long summer days (the sun doesn’t set until almost 9:00 p.m. most evenings!), you can fit in an entire day’s worth of exploring before settling in for sunset.

If you’re looking for a hike, The M – with its gorgeous views of the Gallatin Valley – is an ideal spot to watch the sunset. There are several benches and a ledge to sit on, so you can relax while enjoying the scenery. Remember to bring snacks as a reward, especially if you take the harder route, which is straight uphill for about half a mile. You can turn it into a loop and hike back down the easier route, which is about 1.5 miles from the top.

For something more relaxing – and perfect for families with young children – head to Peet’s Hill. You only have to walk up a short hill for some great views of town, and once there, it’s mostly flat. The large grassy areas at the top make great picnic spots, so bring a blanket and some treats!

8. Spend the Day at Hyalite

While Hyalite is amazing any time of year, it’s THE place to be in the summer. The scenery is stunning, and with plenty of activities, you’ll never get bored! Here are just a few of the popular summer activities you can do:

• Paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming in the reservoir
• Hiking on popular trails like Palisade Falls, Westshore And Crescent Lake Loop Trail, or Heather and Emerald Lakes
• Camping along the shore of the reservoir
• Climbing at Practice Rock

9. Go Horseback Riding

There are plenty of places to go horseback riding in the Gallatin Valley, whether you want a relaxing ride on flatter terrain or a more exhilarating adventure in the mountains.

Choose from many outfitters in the area, like Medicine Lake Outfitters near Bozeman or Paradise Adventure Company in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Most operators offer rides the entire summer season.

10. Eat and Drink on a Rooftop or Patio

Summer is patio season in Bozeman and Belgrade, and you should definitely take advantage of it – there’s so many great options to choose from! Here are a few of our favorites:

• Bozeman Taproom: Rooftop with views of Downtown Bozeman and the Bridger Mountains.
• MAP Brewing: Patio overlooking a lake and the Bridger Mountains. If it’s hot (which it usually is in July and August), you can swim at Bozeman Beach on the opposite side of the lake.
• Cafe Fresco: Seating next to a creek in Downtown Bozeman.
• Gallatin River Lodge: Located between Belgrade and Bozeman, the Gallatin River Lodge patio overlooks a pond and grassy field with expansive mountain vistas.
• Sky Shed at the Armory: Rooftop seating atop the tallest building in Bozeman offering views of the Bridger Mountains, Downtown Bozeman, and the Gallatin Valley.
• The Food Trucks on 7th: Casual outdoor seating between several food trucks on Seventh Street in Bozeman.
• Bodhi Farms: Farm fresh food accompanied by live music on Thursdays.

We hope this guide gives you some ideas for making the most of your summer. What are you doing first?