5 Bozeman Hiking Trails That Aren't Overrun with Tourists

The most popular hiking trails near Bozeman — the M, Drinking Horse, Palisade Falls — are popular for a reason. They’re beautiful, accessible, and well-maintained. They’re also packed from June through September with a density that undermines the whole “getting into nature” thing. If you want the Bozeman hiking experience without the Bozeman hiking crowds, you need to go slightly farther or slightly less obvious.

Sypes Canyon

Sypes Canyon Trail in the Bridger Mountains is the perfect Goldilocks hike: challenging enough to be satisfying, scenic enough to rival any trail in the area, and just far enough from the trailhead-tourism pipeline to stay relatively uncrowded. The trail gains about 2,000 feet over four miles one way through forest and meadow, with outstanding ridge views at the top. Plan on 3.5 to 4.5 hours round trip depending on your fitness level.

The trailhead has a gravel parking lot that fits maybe 20 cars. On summer weekends it fills by 9 AM, so either get there early or go on a weekday. The south-facing aspect means the trail gets hot by midday in July and August — bring more water than you think you need. Dogs are allowed off-leash but only if they’re truly under voice control; the trail sees enough wildlife that an unruly dog becomes a real problem fast. There’s no reliable water source on the trail, so carry enough for yourself and your dog.

Leverich Canyon

Leverich Canyon on the south side of Bozeman accesses Gallatin Range terrain without the Hyalite Canyon traffic. It’s a moderate 5-mile out-and-back along the creek, gaining about 800 feet of elevation gradually enough that most fitness levels can handle it. Figure about 2 to 2.5 hours. The trailhead is a 15-minute drive from downtown — you’ll need a car to get there, but the drive is straightforward.

The creek-side scenery is excellent, and the tree cover keeps things shaded even on hot afternoons. Dogs are welcome and the creek crossings give them plenty of water access. Parking is limited to a small pulloff area that fits about eight vehicles, but the trail rarely fills up because it doesn’t appear on most tourist lists. That’s the whole point.

South Cottonwood Creek

If you want something more ambitious, South Cottonwood Creek climbs into genuine alpine territory. The full trail is about 10 miles round trip with 2,500 feet of elevation gain, and the upper reaches open up into high meadows with wildflowers in July and sweeping mountain views. Expect 5 to 6 hours for the full out-and-back.

This trail is more committing than the others on this list. Cell service drops out within the first mile, so download your maps before you leave and tell someone your plan. Water is available from the creek for most of the route, but always filter it. The trailhead parking lot is small and unsigned — look for the pulloff on the left about two miles up South Cottonwood Road.

Timing and logistics

The single biggest factor in trail crowding isn’t which trail you choose — it’s when you go. Every trail near Bozeman is dramatically quieter before 8 AM and after 4 PM. If you can start a hike at 6:30 AM, even the M trail is pleasant. Seasonal conditions vary wildly — trails above 7,000 feet often hold snow into late June, and muddy shoulder-season conditions can make some routes miserable in May and October.

Bear spray is non-negotiable from May through October on any trail outside of town limits. Carry it, know how to use it, and don’t leave it in the car. You can buy bear spray at any outdoor shop in town — Bob Ward’s, REI, Schnee’s — for $40-$55. The small canister is fine. Practice drawing and flipping the safety before you need it. Rental canisters are available at some shops for about $10/day if you don’t want to buy one to take home.

Dogs on the trail

Most trails near Bozeman allow dogs, and many don’t require leashes outside of the trailhead area. But “allowed” and “advisable” aren’t the same thing. If your dog chases wildlife, barks at other hikers, or won’t come when called, leash them regardless of the rules. Grizzly encounters with off-leash dogs are a real thing here — the dog runs toward the bear, panics, runs back to you, and now you’ve got a grizzly following your dog straight to you. Keep that in mind.

The dog-friendliest trails on this list are Leverich Canyon (creek access, shade, moderate distance) and the lower stretch of Sypes Canyon. South Cottonwood’s length and elevation make it a stretch for most dogs.

After the hike

The best thing about hiking near Bozeman is what comes after. A post-hike soak at one of the nearby hot springs is the ideal recovery, especially if your legs are trashed from South Cottonwood. Bozeman Hot Springs is the closest option, about 10 minutes from downtown. If beer sounds better than hot water, the brewery scene downtown is excellent and most places don’t mind if you show up in trail clothes and boots.