Big Sky, Montana

Riverhouse BBQ - the best, casual BBQ with indoor/outdoor seating and live music.
By WOM - fresh, local ingredients in a casual dining setting. No reservations.
Ousel & Spur Pizza Co. - gourmet pizza & Italian food.
Olive B’s Big Sky Bistro - American cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.
Michaelangelo’s - delicious Italian cuisine by award winning chef.
Big Sky Noodles - family owned Vietnamese restaurant.
Blue Buddha - Japanese/ sushi restaurant.
Block 3 Kitchen & Bar - rustic restaurant serving steaks and local game.
Tres Toros Tacos & Tequila - authentic Mexican cantina.
The Waypoint - restaurant and entertainment hub offering movies, live music, comedy shows, and more.
Horn & Cantle - rustic log cabin restaurant offering steaks and seasonal cuisine.
Thai Basil - casual Thai restaurant.
Alberto’s - relaxed Mexican cuisine.
Moonlight Basin Cabins - luxury cabins and resort with private lake, pool, and amenities. Located on the backside of Lone Mountain.
The Wilson/Marriott Residence Inn - cozy suites and mountain views.
Big Sky Resort - world class mountain destination year round.
The Lodge at Big Sky - affordable rustic hotel.
Lone Mountain Ranch - luxury cabins located on a ranch that offers activities, a rodeo, and great restaurants and bars.
The Summit Hotel - Euro-western hotel located at the base of Lone Mountain.
Shoshone Condominium Hotel - hotel meets condominiums.
Huntley Lodge - historic landmark hotel in Big Sky village.
Montage - luxury resort and spa.
Gravity Haus - adventure-focused boutique hotel and social club.
Mountain biking
Golfing
Kircliff & Scenic Lift
Ziplining
Archery
Rent SUP & Kayaks
Shopping in town center
Yellowstone National Park - west entrance is located just over an hour from Big Sky village. Hike, see wildlife, go fishing, camping, and check out canyons, geysers, hot springs, and all that America’s first national park has to offer!
Whitewater Rafting
Fly Fishing
Horseback Riding
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Bee Hive Basin - 7 mile round trip moderate to strenuous hike filled with wildflowers up to a lake. This hike is dog-friendly. Elevation: 1,500-1,700 feet.
Ousel Falls Park Trail - easy trail just under 2 miles through waterfalls.
Hummocks Trail - easy 3 mile loop.
South Fork Trail - easy 1 mile trail.
Uplands Trail Loop - just over 2 mile dirt trail loop.
Reflector Loop - 3.5 mile loop rated moderate.
Lone Mountain - 6.1-to-7-mile round-trip strenuous route that climbs over 3,500 feet of elevation to a peak of 11,166 feet.
Lava Lake - 6 mile out and back moderate to strenuous hike up to Lava Lake. Located roughly 15 miles from Big Sky.
Storm Castle - 5 mile out and back trail rated hard with stunning views.
Music in the Mountains - Thursday nights all summer long. Family friendly event.
Farmer’s Market - Wednesdays 5-8pm from early June to late August. Includes tons of local vendors, fresh produce, and artisan crafts.
Lone Mountain Ranch Rodeo - Every Tuesday night from June through September. Tickets required and include BBQ, beer, & wine.
Big Sky Biggie - premier mountain bike race including 15, 30, and 50 mile courses.
Wildlands Festival - 2 nights of world class musicians every summer.
Big Sky PBR - 3 nights of professional bull riding, vendors, concerts, and family fun!
Cowboy Coffee Co. - casual coffee shop.
Caliber Coffee - locally roasted coffee shop voted #1 coffee in Big Sky 5 years in a row.
Unravel Coffee - located inside Gravity Haus.
Blue Moon Bakery - casual cafe, pizzeria, and bakery.
Treeline Coffee Roasters - small batch artisan coffee originally from Bozeman.
Cafe 191 - cozy mountain cafe.
Horn & Cantle - rustic log cabin restaurant.
The Corral - cabin-style serving American cuisine.
I typically stop at a larger grocery store in Bozeman to save money. There is also a Costco in Bozeman.
Roxy’s Market & Cafe - local grocery store offering deli sandwiches.
Hungry Moose Market & Deli - in-house bakery, coffee shop, florist, wine store, and grab & go bites.
The Country Market of Big Sky - full grocery store offering artisan goods and deli items.
Carry bear spray!
Make dinner reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Rent a car - Bozeman Airport is just over an hour from Big Sky. Yellowstone west entrance is also located just over an hour from Big Sky. The village town center is very walkable but outside of the village, Montana is spread out.

Big Sky, Montana Travel Guide:

Big Sky is the kind of place that makes you understand why Montana is called Big Sky Country almost immediately - mountains in every direction, wide-open landscapes, crystal-clear rivers, wildlife, and some of the best hiking views I’ve experienced.

Located about an hour south of Bozeman and just over an hour from the West Yellowstone entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky makes the perfect home base for a Montana getaway. You can spend your days hiking through the mountains, exploring Yellowstone, horseback riding, fly fishing, white water rafting or simply driving around and taking in the scenery.

And while Big Sky is probably best known as a ski destination, there is so much to do here outside of winter.

Why Visit Big Sky?

Big Sky gives you that remote, tucked-away mountain feeling without sacrificing good restaurants, beautiful places to stay, and plenty to do.

In the warmer months, hiking is one of the biggest reasons to visit. There are trails ranging from easy scenic walks to more challenging hikes, so you definitely don't need to be an expert hiker to experience the landscape. You can also spend a day exploring Yellowstone, head out on the river, or slow things down with an afternoon in Big Sky Town Center.

It's a destination I'd especially recommend if you're looking for a trip that combines adventure, incredible scenery, and a little relaxation.

How Long Should You Stay?

I'd recommend at least three to four days in Big Sky, especially if you're planning to visit Yellowstone while you're there.

If you have more time, you could easily turn it into a longer Montana road trip and combine Big Sky with Bozeman, Yellowstone, or other parts of southwest Montana.

When to Visit:

Summer: One of the best times for hiking, fly fishing, rafting, horseback riding, and exploring Yellowstone. Days are generally warm, but mornings and evenings can still be chilly.

Fall: Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, changing leaves, and a completely different feel in the mountains. Just keep in mind that weather can change quickly as you get later into the season.

Winter: This is when Big Sky transforms into a major ski destination, with skiing and snowboarding taking center stage.

What to Pack:

Layers are essential in Montana. Even if the forecast looks warm during the day, temperatures can change quickly in the mountains.

For a summer or early fall trip, I'd bring comfortable hiking shoes, a light jacket, layers, sunscreen, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle, and a small backpack for hiking. Bear spray is also an important addition—make sure you know how to carry and use it before heading onto the trail.

Located by Lauren Tip:

Don't over-plan this trip.

There is so much to see around Big Sky that you'll want some flexibility. Leave room in your itinerary for scenic stops, an unexpected hike, wildlife sightings, or simply sitting somewhere with a view for a while.

Big Sky is one of those destinations where some of the best parts of the trip aren't necessarily the things you planned—they're the views you pull over for along the way.

If you're looking for mountains, outdoor adventure, and some of the most incredible scenery in the country, Big Sky absolutely deserves a spot on your travel list.