On the surface, Bozeman is an outdoor lover’s dream. The city brands itself around adventure. Even Montana State University leans into this narrative by displaying promotional photos of students engaging in activities such as skiing in the winter, rafting local rivers in the summer, and hiking the surrounding trails year-round. These images depict a lifestyle where nature is just outside your door. For many residents, these visuals reflect reality. The landscape is part of daily life and a source of community, recreation, and pride.

However, for quite a few residents, the promise of the outdoors remains just a promise.

As Bozeman grows, the myth of unlimited access to nature becomes harder to sustain. The outdoors are technically open to all, but there are hidden costs, geographical barriers, and social challenges that hinder residents from enjoying all the city has to offer. So, who gets to enjoy the outdoors in Bozeman?

Transportation

Bozeman is, undeniably, a car-centric town. While the Streamline bus system is a fantastic free resource, its routes and hours do not include early mornings, nor extend late into the evening. The limited reach does not help those who live farther from main routes, either. Most of the city’s popular trailheads, swimming holes, and climbing spots are inaccessible without a car.

Even efforts to improve bike infrastructure around Bozeman face challenges. Though there are bike lanes and shared paths in parts of town, not all neighborhoods are equally connected. Along with the weather in the colder months, road safety concerns, and long commutes, many cyclists can be discouraged from using biking as a transportation option. Additionally, carrying gear for activities like camping, skiing, or climbing on a bus or bike is often impractical.

This is especially challenging for students, international residents, and seasonal workers who rely on walking, biking, or taking the bus. If you can’t access the places that make Bozeman “Bozeman,” can you really enjoy them?

Financial Costs

Gear is the most obvious and immediate expense. Walking downtown just takes a pair of sneakers, but any outdoor recreation demands much more than that. A decent setup for hiking or backpacking can easily cost several hundred dollars, even when buying used or entry-level brands. For more gear-intensive activities like fly fishing, skiing, or mountain biking, the price skyrockets. This doesn’t even account for recurring costs like lift tickets, guide fees, access permits, or gas. It adds up quickly. If a resident is living on a tight budget, these kinds of upfront costs can be a deal-breaker.

Even in a town surrounded by “free” nature, outdoor adventure in Bozeman feels like a pay-to-play experience. Outdoor culture is part of many residents’ identity, yet cost is slowly dividing those who can participate from those who cannot.

Time

One of the more hidden barriers that keeps residents from enjoying the outdoors is simply time. Outdoor activities require significant time commitments that not everyone can afford. People working multiple jobs or balancing a full course load at school may not have the hours required to spend an entire day skiing, hiking, or rafting. The culture of Bozeman often romanticizes early morning ski runs or spontaneous weekend backpacking trips. However, these activities require a certain level of flexibility and financial security that not everyone has.

Time becomes an even bigger hurdle when combined with transportation and financial challenges. If it takes an hour to get to a trailhead because of bus schedules, and you only have a few hours free in the evening, that trip might not be worth the effort. Similarly, if you can’t afford to miss work or need to work overtime to pay bills, spending a day on the mountain isn’t an option.

Transportation, cost, and time result in a triad of challenges that often keep many people on the sidelines of Bozeman’s outdoor lifestyle.

Making It More Accessible

Fortunately, several local projects are working to make outdoor recreation in the area more accessible.

MSU’s Outdoor Recreation Program is an underappreciated resource for reducing access barriers for students new to outdoor activities. They offer low-cost gear rentals, skills clinics, and guided trips throughout the year. Students can rent equipment ranging from tents to paddleboards to climbing gear. It’s all at a fraction of the retail prices. This is an especially valuable resource for international or out-of-state students. Their trips and clinics also aim to build community and help alleviate the intimidation someone might feel when trying a new activity.

The Gallatin Valley Trust (GVLT) has been shaping outdoor access in Bozeman for decades. One of GVLT’s most impactful achievements is its Main Street to the Mountains trail system. Envisioned by founder Chris Boyd, this trail system extends over 100 miles through neighborhoods, subdivisions, and open spaces. These trails are used by everyone who wants to experience nature in their everyday life without needing to leave the city or own a car. Thanks to the work of GVLT, you can now travel from downtown Bozeman up to the top of Triple Tree Trail, or head north to the College M trail. Their long-term goals are grounded in the belief that trails should be inclusive for everyone in Bozeman’s growing community.

In recent years, BZN Pride has expanded its events to include outdoor activities that celebrate inclusivity and community. Events such as volleyball in Bogert Park, hiking the M, fun runs, and more were all part of this year’s Pride Month celebrations. These events highlight the fact that outdoor access is about creating social spaces where everyone feels safe and encouraged to participate.

Bozeman loves to tell a story of adventure and connection to nature. But as the city grows, that story needs to include everyone. True access to the outdoors isn’t just about having the right gear or knowing the right trail. It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, and ensuring that barriers that impede this are addressed.

Who gets to enjoy the outdoors in Bozeman? The answer should be simple: everyone. Not just in theory, but in practice, in policy, and in culture. As the city continues to grow, it has the opportunity to redefine what outdoor access looks like in a modern mountain town.