Top Ten Activities for Families in Bozeman
Bozeman, Montana may be surrounded by beautiful, rugged mountains — but luckily, families don't need to summit any peaks to have a great time here. This growing metropolitan city of just under 100,000 is often ranked as one of the best places to live (and visit!) in the country due to its friendly vibe, bustling downtown scene, and access to incredible outdoor recreation. Home to Montana's largest university, its academic influence supports a number of science museums with engaging exhibits and activities for all ages. Whether your kiddos are into dinosaurs, hiking, or fun on the water (yes, we have that too!), there's something for everyone and every interest in Bozeman.
From the littlest discoverers to elementary-aged explorers, the Museum of the Rockies offers fun for the whole family. In addition to its planetarium, and interactive Yellowstone-themed playspace, MOR offers a world-class dinosaur exhibit, with triceratops, velociraptors, and a few Montana-celebrity tyrannosaurus rex skeletons. They also provide summer camps and drop-in events — visit their website for more info.
Montana Science Center focuses on learning through play. Their interactive exhibits, engaging science classes, and educational programs offer hands-on exploration design to help spark curiosity and build confidence. The Center's STEAMlab lets little learners practice creativity and problem-solving skills through fun, interactive projects in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math.
Officially known as the Glen Lake Rotary Park, this city park is located just minutes north of downtown. Featuring a large swimming pond, sandy beach, volleyball courts, climbing rock, and diving and fishing dock, the Bozeman Beach is a summertime favorite for families and kiddos craving a little splash time. When the swimming is over, spread out on the grassy lawns or at the picnic tables under the covered pavilion for sunscreen reapplication and snacks with beautiful views of the Bridger mountains. Parents can also grab a local craft brew at the nearby MAP Brewing Company, a family-friendly establishment that also serves up delicious food. Restrooms and outdoor shower amenities are available.
Dinosaur Park & Gallatin County Regional Park
The Dinosaur Park is a cool, dino-themed playground with ample play attractions for toddlers and bigger kids alike. A large, enclosed play area allows parents to relax even when kiddos run out of sight, and two climbing boulders offer up creative challenges for all sorts of young athletes. Nearby, an off-leash dog park and swimming area provide entertainment for Fido (and for dog-lovers who enjoy seeing pups romp happily). Restrooms, picnic tables, and a pavilion let park-goers linger.
This historic hot spring is a year-round destination for local families and visitors seeking a relaxing soak and a fun place for kids to wade, float, and swim. Bozeman Hot Springs boasts 12 different pools with temperatures from 59 to 106 degrees, each pool unique and well-maintained. The facility is sunny and relaxing, and the chemical-free water is drained and cleaned each night. For a more rustic hot springs experience, complete with impressively delicious, made-to-order pizza and burgers, check out Norris Hot Springs.
Did someone say "trampoline park?" JumpTime Bozeman offers just about as much fun as you can fit under one roof. Trampolines are just the start — from dodgeball to a glow-in-the-dark ninja warrior course, plus a soft, padded toddler-friendly obstacle course, lets kids of all ages (including mom and dad) unleash their inner gymnast and have a blast doing it!
Day trip to Yellowstone National Park
Bozeman is the gateway to America's first National Park! From downtown, you can enter the park either via Gardiner or West Yellowstone. The landscape's natural beauty is enhanced by its otherworldly geothermal features — erupting geysers, steam vents, and rainbow-colored pools will make even the most seasoned outdoor enthusiast wide-eyed in wonder. Traffic in the park tends to be slow, with frequent traffic jams as drivers stop for herds of bison, elk, and bears. Plan your day in advance, and be sure to pack ample snacks, water, and sunscreen!
Madison Buffalo Jump State Park
Hiking trails, a picnic area, sweeping views, and millennia of indigenous history make Madison Buffalo Jump State Park a memorable destination in the great outdoors. An inner and outer loop provide miles of well-maintained walking trails. Tribes including the Shoshone, Lakota, Nez Perce, Arapaho, Crow, and more utilized a natural cliff feature to stampede bison that once roamed freely here in great numbers, depending upon every piece of the animals for their food, shelter, clothing, and provisions.
Energetic kiddos will love the accomplishment of tackling this iconic Bozeman trail! With three routes (steep, medium, and the longer way around) to choose from, the College "M" is an accessible achievement for hikers of all ages. A whopping 820 feet of elevation gain gets you high above the Gallatin Valley with epic views of the surrounding mountains. Bring some water and a snack to enjoy on the benches at the top as you celebrate your feat! Depending on which of the three routes you take, this hike is between 1 and 2.6 miles in length.
Hot summer day? Little adventurers ready for something different? Hit the river for a day of tubing! This unique summertime activity is appropriate for kids aged 3 and up who are confident in the water. The Madison River is inviting for tubers — warm, mellow, and shallow. Tubers float along together at a leisurely pace, soaking up the warm sunshine while staying cool in the clean river water. Shuttles and rentals are available through Madison River Tubing and Montana Whitewater.