10 Best Fall Activities to Do in Bozeman
It’s exciting to already be in the second week of fall. With the changing seasons, I am ramping up for the many fun fall activities in and around Bozeman. Please enjoy this Top 10 list of the best seasonal things to do.
I do want to mention that I have created an honorable mention list with activities that also have a place in my heart. However, they don’t quite make the cut because they are either not seasonally specific or they aren’t my absolute favorites activities.
If you think of anything I missed, please do include it in the comment section :)
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Savor a seasonal pastry at one of the many fine shops in the area.
I want to direct you to Wild Crumb if you aren’t familiar.
Try a seasonal beer
Bozeman is home to a number of breweries who like to pull out their own Oktoberfest-style beers. Check out Bozeman Brewing Company, Outlaw Brewing, and Bunkhouse Brewery, to name a few.
Bunkhouse Brewery throws an annual Bunktoberfest. This year (2022) it took place on September 17th.
Soak in the hot springs
There’s nothing quite so relaxing as a good hot soak on a cool evening. The three standouts in the area are the Bozeman Hot Springs, Norris Hot Springs, and Chico Hot Springs.
Visit the world’s first National Park
Yellowstone National Park, the third most visited park, is always a treat. It is especially fun to visit during the shoulder season when the crowds have thinned and the fall colors pop.
Get in your last round of hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, camping…
Enjoy your favorite hobbies while the weather is still nice. The Cottonwood trees turn brilliant shades of gold and orange this time of year, and the rivers, crags, and trails are all less trafficked during the shoulder season.
THE TOP 10 BOZEMAN FALL ACTIVITIES
1) The Montana Corn Maze & The Bozeman Corn Maze
Check out the links for pricing and the additional activities available like pumpkin picking and hay rides.
Montana Corn Maze - STARTS SEPTEMBER 17
These guys put so much effort into making a great maze every year. Think about arriving in the evening for an extra challenge.
Bozeman Maze - STARTS SEPTEMBER 23
This great haystack maze is a must activity, especially for families since the walls are low enough to easily locate small children.
STARTS SEPTEMBER 24
The Bozeman symphony is a Montana cultural icon. They present a repertoire of symphonic and choral music performed for the benefit of the local communities. The 2022-23 concert season includes six concerts in the classical series as well as a November concert at The ELM and a Holiday Spectacular.
STARTS SEPTEMBER 30
This festival has been a Bozeman tradition for over 30 years! Every weekend from late September through Halloween, the farm is packed with festivities: Hay rides to the pumpkin patch, apple picking, cider pressing, and more.
STARTS OCTOBER 1
In operation for 10 years, this farmers’ market has been operated by farmers, for farmers. Because their focus is on food and agricultural products, you’ll find over 30 vendors each week selling an array of farm products. Located at the Gallatin Valley Fairgrounds. Come for the greens, meat and dairy products, soaps & salves, and much much more.
OCTOBER 8
The Homecoming Parade brings the community together to celebrate Bobcat Pride and to welcome students and alumni back to Bozeman! - 10:00 AM, Main Street, Downtown
Bobcats vs. Idaho State - 2:00 PM, Bobcat Stadium
OCTOBER 8 & 9
The annual festival, which is free to the public, centers around the largest known Golden Eagle migration in the United States. Since 1991 a raptor migration count has taken place every fall at the Bridger Bowl ski area in the Gallatin National Forest just north of Bozeman. Festival activities center around raptor viewing and include nature walks and talks, educational and entertaining programs and activities for people of all ages.
OCTOBER 14
For one night only, The Extreme History Project is offering an encounter with the ghosts of Halloween past on this tour of downtown Bozeman. Get ready to encounter the notable people of Bozeman’s past, hear about their exploits and learn about life in this area as Bozeman struggled to become a town. Your self-guided journey will take you down Main and Mendenhall streets to meet “soiled doves,” salacious madams, mystic mediums, and other bold inhabitants of this western town.
OCTOBER 14 & 15
The MADE fair is a modern art & handcrafted market featuring local & regional artists and makers. Their events are a curated collection of skilled artisans as well as a handful of non-profits. The MADE fair’s mission is to increase awareness of handmade goods as an alternative to mass-produced items and support local and regional small craft business by providing a place to sell their goods.
OCTOBER 29
The Montana Cup is a team-oriented cross country meet that pits teams from each of Montana’s seven largest towns against each other for the right to claim the Montana Cup “traveling” trophy for one year. There are separate races for male and female teams. Check the website for eligibility.
10) Fall Hunting
SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER
A well-loved fall sport, apply for your general hunting license through the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. Some of the animals available to hunt include antelope, Bighorn sheep, bison, black bear, deer & elk.
| Please note that many of the captions in this list are either the descriptions, or modified versions of the descriptions, found on the corresponding website links.
