3 Days in Montana's Big Sky country
Big Sky is most famous for its winters, but the village also shines in warmer months for alpine hikes, time by the river, and wildlife spotting.
Big Sky, Montana, is the kind of mountain community where you can unplug and reconnect with nature the second you arrive. Here, vast horizons meet the Madison Range and Spanish Peaks. Life is built around being outside year-round in this gateway to Yellowstone National Park. It’s no wonder Big Sky made it on Expedia’s 2026 Destinations of the Year list.
With more than 5,850 acres of skiable terrain, Big Sky is one of the country’s premier skiing destinations. Yet outdoor adventure goes far beyond the slopes if you plan a trip during shoulder season or in the warmer months: hikes to alpine lakes, wild rivers with world-class fishing, and shoulder-season wildflowers to wander through.
When to go to Big Sky
There’s no bad time to visit Big Sky, depending on your interests. December through April is prime for snow sports, with March typically getting the most snow. June through September is the best time for hiking, fishing, and whitewater rafting. Wildflowers begin appearing in late spring and typically peak around July. The shoulder seasons have a lot of weather variability, but also fewer crowds. Spring mud season in April and May has a mix of sun and wet days with some chance of lingering snow, while September through early November brings crisp air, wildlife, and leaf peeping.
What to pack
Big Sky starts at more than 7,000 feet in elevation. Here, like many high-altitude destinations, you’ll want to pack options for sun, rain, snow, and drastic temperature swings in a 24-hour period. Think insulated and water-resistant boots, coats, and light jackets for both hiking and winter sports. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential year-round, as are a number of breathable layers.
Where to stay
Big Sky separates into three distinct regions: Mountain, Meadow, and Canyon. Lone Mountain is where you’ll find the resort base, with lifts, slopes, and après whether you’re going in the winter to ski or the summer for higher-altitude trail access. Consider The Summit Hotel for ski-in/ski-out or access to the 18-hole golf course, while The Village Center at Big Sky Resort is family friendly and has a spa. Meadow Village has the Town Center with more dining options and is a nice central base if your group has different activities they want to do, no matter the season. The Canyon is defined by the Gallatin River for guided whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and ranches. It’s also along Highway 191 for trips out to Bozeman or Yellowstone National Park. Rainbow Ranch Lodge has ample fishing, as does 320 Guest Ranch, which is right on the river.
Day 1: Arrive for a golden hour hike
With nonstop service on major airlines, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) has a convenient airport to land in for most. From the airport, pick up a rental car (or arrange a shuttle) and drive about 50 miles south on US-191 through Gallatin Canyon to Big Sky. Once you get to where you’re staying, you’ll want a low-effort way to get out in nature as soon as possible. If you arrive later in the afternoon, Ousel Falls is an easy hiking trail that’s less than 2 miles round-trip, crossing the Gallatin River with multiple viewing points of the namesake waterfall.
Keep dinner low-effort and local. Riverhouse BBQ is a casual spot on the river for smoked meats and an easy first-night dinner, or go to Horn & Cantle at Lone Mountain Ranch for a polished first-night meal. Don’t forget to pop outside after eating: Big Sky country earns its name after dark, and on a clear evening you can make out bright constellations and the Milky Way.
Day 2: Big views in Big Sky
Start the day with one of Big Sky’s signature day hikes: Beehive Basin Trail #40. The out-and-back route runs about 7 miles round trip with roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain, climbing steadily to a small alpine lake with views of Lone Peak and the surrounding mountains. The hike is popular during wildflower season for a scenic trail the whole way through.
If you want the panorama without the hike, go up on Big Sky Resort’s Explorer Gondola. The modern gondola with heated seats and floor-to-ceiling windows opened in late 2025. From the high alpine, you can pair lift access with a visit to Kircliff, the glass-walled summit observatory at 11,166 feet, for a full 360-degree look at the surrounding ranges.
Day 3: Get on the water and see wildlife
Choose to spend your last day either on the Gallatin River or on a day trip to Yellowstone. For the former, pack out your fly-fishing gear or join a guide for an introductory fly-fishing lesson that covers the basics before bringing you to the water to land some fish. Pair it with a zipline across the Gallatin River that starts on a series of bridges and leads to a tree platform surrounded by pine forest and limestone cliffs.
It’s worth leaving Big Sky for a Yellowstone trip if you want to catch the wildlife and geological wonders of the country’s first national park. It’s larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined, so don’t expect to see it all. Yellowstone’s Lower Loop is a good place to start. Here, you’ll see Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Then there are the animals in Hayden Valley. Bison, bears, wolves, elk, and many more wildlife roam the area. Go with a guide for the best chances of catching a glimpse of the animals you want to see.
Vicki Denig is a wine, spirits, and travel writer based between New York and Paris. Her writing has appeared in Food & Wine, Decanter, Condé Nast Traveler, and Resy. Upon landing in a new destination, her first order of business is finding a local bar, preferably outdoors, and people watching with a drink in hand.
Places to stay
Big Sky, Montana
Go further with the Expedia app
