So I’m suddenly going to be vacationing in Bozeman Montana/Yellowstone area for a week or two in August. Any suggestions for cool stuff to do?
I’d prefer to spend it all in the backcountry somewhere, but sadly my and my companion’s knees are such that we can’t count on being able to carry 40 pounds over mountain trails for several days. Is there anything in the area like the Appalachian Mountain Club Huts in the White Mountains of New Hampshire (or refugios in Italy) – a hike-in hostel/inn with either meal service or a shared kitchen to use, in a beautiful mountain area? (So we can hike and spend the night away from roads without having to carry too much).
Otherwise, does the SDMB hive-mind have any thoughts on, good medium day hikes (Yellowstone or Bozeman area), ways to see geologically cool stuff in Yellowstone while minimizing crowds, good places for soaking in hot springs, and any neat restaurants in/around Bozeman?
No huts like that in the National Park that I know of. Dayhikes galore, however. For spectacular mountain scenery you can’t find better than in the Tetons just south. You should be able to take the Jackson Hole tram up to the top of Rendez-Vous which will allow you to get further in the backcountry on a dayhike. Death Canyon (great name, no?) is another fine choice in Teton, as well as Painted Canyon. If possible I’d spend a few nights in Jackson or car camping in Teton because it’s a bit of drive from the heart of Yellowstone to the trailheads for a dayhike.
Having just completed a trip up there, I’d highly recommend driving US212 from Yellowstone to Red Lodge, MT. It’s a bit out of your way but I don’t think I’ve seen a more beautiful road.
Push You Down is right: The Museum of the Rockies is amazing. I also like the Computer Museum in Bozeman, but it’s much less impressive.
Someone else recently asked about Bozeman area restaurants on the board, so you might want to search for the thread on that. I’m not super-familiar with Bozeman (I’ve only been three times) but I do know that about 20 miles outside of town, in Manhattan, is Sir Scott’s Oasis, a steak joint beloved by all the meat-eaters I know in the area.
There is much to do in Yellowstone, so I won’t mention any of those.
I will bring up Chico Hot Springs in Chico MT. It is a ‘regional’ vacation spot (defined as if you are from around the area/nearby states you know of it but hardly anyone outside has heard of it).
It does attract Honeymooners so it might not be your cup of tea…but it does have the hot springs (and pools) as well as trails and horse rides. It also as (well it did when I was there but I imagine it still is there) a 4-star restaurant (there isn’t many of those around up there) that serves great food.
I liked going up to Hyalite Canyon when I lived in Bozeman. That’s where the locals often go for a day of hiking/being outdoors.
One of my favorite trips near Bozeman was a weekend to Boulder Valley - an area between Big Timber and a remote part of northern Yellowstone Park–near the tiny town of McLeod and the amazing (and relatively unknown) Natural Bridge Falls. [lots of other good hike ideas on that website] Another on McLeod: link.
Big Sky is worth visiting for a day, even in the summer.
The American Computer Museum is decent, if you’re into that sort of thing. (Looks like they’re moving to a new location in town).
Thanks for the thoughts so far; sounds like good advice (Blinking Duck – a little bit of Honeymoon vibe wouldn’t be completely amiss, so we may check that out).
Also bumping one time for further thoughts. Anyone rented bicycles or canoes/kayaks in the area?
Speaking of cool…don’t forget jackets. Yes, I know it’s August…but don’t forget jackets. I lived in Powell WY, which is near Yellowstone, for 5 years. The Average daily HIGH is less than 70 degrees during July/August. Yellowstone isn’t as high up so you probably won’t need them but you never know.
There are canoe rides…down rapids Not sure about bikes but would guess there is.
My parents met in McLeod. (Mom is from Big Timber, Dad was working at a nearby ranch.) Does it still meet the bare requirements for a town in Montana–bar and post office? (Even better if they are the same building.) The Boulder Valley is also where The Horse Whisperer was filmed.
Bozeman Hot Springs is just outside of town (take Main Street west, then turn south at the stoplight known as “Four Corners”) and another good place for a soak. There is also the Boiling River (warning: video) in Yellowstone Park near the 45th parallel sign by Mammoth Hot Springs (my Google search mentions that they have moved the sign to a different parking lot.) If it’s hot, check out the Firehole Canyon Road (on the west side of the park, near Madison Junction). There is a swimming hole there.
Always bring a jacket, because you never know. It gets cooler up in the mountains, and it also gets cooler at night because the air is dry. However, the last couple of times I was there, it was rather warm.
I only just now noticed this thread; I don’t hang out in IMHO much. Others covered most of the hikes; for Yellowstone I’ll just say that you could pick any spot in the park completely at random, stay there for a year, and still not see a tenth of what’s there. The only place where crowds are really an issue is Old Faithful; everywhere else, you’ll see other people, but in a passing-on-the-trail way, not in a shove-to-the-front way. Oh, and in the thermal areas, absolutely do not leave the boardwalks: Leaving the boardwalks (along with petting the animals) is viewed as natural selection in action. Idiots die in Yellowstone every year, so don’t be an idiot.
On restaurants:
The Oasis is the best steaks I’ve ever had, but you probably want to fast for a day beforehand: Their smallest is a full pound. Beef in general is excellent, anywhere around here. For other good food, check out I-Ho’s Korean Grill, at 11th and Lincoln, which is really the only ethnic place worth bothering with in town; Mackenzie River Pizza, downtown, for some really good but largely unconventional pizzas; or The Naked Noodle, also downtown, for a variety of pasta dishes. Somewhat less formal (mostly outdoor seating), there’s La Parilla, a multicultural burrito place on Babcock between 15th and 19th, or The Pickle Barrel, a sandwich shop at 8th and College. All of these are priced within a grad student’s budget (the Oasis is a little steeper than the others, but the portions are huge enough that it’s still a decent deal).
Finally, if you happen to be in town this coming weekend (Aug. 7th-9th), you can catch the Sweet Pea festival, an arts festival with a variety of acts for $12 for the weekend.
Yellowstone has a number of trails with campsites just off the road a mile or two. In the past I’ve done a number of drive around and look at stuff during the day trips then early in the evening hike into one of them for the night. Which allows packing in a steak and some wine/beer.
I think you have to make reservations though, check with the park. You can get the number from their web site.
A lot of the land around Bozeman in National Forest type land and I don’t think you need to even ask.
Not sure about bikes but would guess there is.