Gallatin: Hiking Trails, Museums, and Winter Sports

Several specific highlights are worth considering for a trip to Gallatin: trails in Big Sky, winter sports, museums and historic sites, as well as Gallatin County Regional Park. When looking for a hotel, you can first decide which of these destinations will shape your stay. Different trail lengths, themes, and seasonal notices offer practical guidance.

Trails and Excursions in Big Sky

The Big Sky Community Organization maintains a year-round trail network connecting Town Center, Meadow Village, Gallatin Canyon, and Lone Mountain. The public trail network covers 50 miles in total. The 1.6-mile Ousel Falls Trail is rated family-friendly and leads to a waterfall. Along the way, the trail crosses the South Fork of the West Fork of the Gallatin River; the waterfall is 100 feet high.

The Black Diamond Trail is also 1.6 miles long. It is a moderately difficult loop in Big Sky Community Park, offering a different kind of route from the trail to the waterfall. The 2.6-mile Crail Trail is an easygoing loop through the historic meadowlands of Meadow Village in Big Sky. Preserved log cabins belonging to the Historic Crail Ranch Museum are located along the trail. The museum tells the story of ranching and agriculture in the Big Sky region.

The Uplands Trail begins a few minutes from Big Sky Town Center and climbs through open meadows, offering views of Lone Mountain and the surrounding mountain ranges. Hummocks is a 3-mile loop within sight of Big Sky Town Center, with three loop-shaped circuits. The different trail lengths and features offer concrete points of reference when planning your time on trails in Big Sky.

Winter Sports and Other Activities

Lone Mountain Ranch and Big Sky Nordic Center & Golf Course together offer over 80 groomed kilometers for cross-country and Nordic skiing. Big Sky Resort offers over 50 miles of mountain biking trails, including lift-served mountain biking, as well as bike rentals and lessons. The offerings therefore differ not only by activity but also by the types of routes available.

Kircliff is a glass observatory at an elevation of 11,166 feet, accessible by gondola and tram. This is a different kind of excursion to plan for than the trails: a visit to a viewpoint whose location and access are defined by its elevation and the two modes of transportation mentioned.

Gallatin County Regional Park and Fairgrounds

Gallatin County Regional Park is open from sunrise to sunset. The beach and boat dock are closed from October 15 through May 15. If you plan to visit these areas, take the seasonal closure dates into account when planning your trip.

Gallatin County Fairgrounds is a versatile public facility that operates year-round. Historically, it served as a venue for summer and winter fairs. Its current year-round operation and its former use for fairs are distinct aspects of the facility.

Museums and Regional History

Gallatin History Museum features exhibits about the history of various people who have lived in southwestern Montana. Permanent exhibits include the Big Horn Gun and a life-size pioneer cabin. The Museum of the Rockies presents topics including geology, dinosaur nesting colonies, Native Americans, and Montana history.

The American Computer & Robotics Museum spans more than 4,000 years of human history—from cuneiform tablets to the first personal computers. Other exhibit topics include artificial intelligence, quantum computing, the moon landing, and the deciphering of the Enigma code. Early written records and modern computer technology are presented alongside topics in science and contemporary history.

The Museum of the Yellowstone is located in the historic Union Pacific Depot in West Yellowstone. It covers local history as well as the history of visiting and traveling to Yellowstone National Park. Its offerings include exhibits on stagecoach and railroad companies, artifacts, educational programs, and films; guided tours of the historic district are also available.

Discover more destinations: Bozeman, West Yellowstone, Gallatin Gateway, Belgrade, Big Sky, Three Forks, Garfield County, Wibaux County.

For the broader travel overview: Montana.