If you’re planning on visiting Belgrade MT anytime soon, you won’t be short of things to do. From animal lovers to foodies, adrenaline junkies to shoppers, no matter what your idea of a great day out is, Belgrade has something for everyone.
Let’s jump right in.
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The 16 Best Things to Do in Belgrade, Montana
1. Feed alpacas at Sentinel Ranch Alpacas
Kids and adults alike will love the many alpaca-related experiences that are offered at Sentinel Ranch Alpacas.
This great spot in Belgrade offers visitors a variety of hands-on experiences with live alpacas, and alpaca wool. One of the most popular options offered at Sentinel Ranch Alpacas is the opportunity to feed alpacas.
On this tour, visitors will get a tour of the ranch, learn about alpacas and how they’re cared for, and finally an opportunity to feed the alpacas. The tour includes opportunities to take pictures of and with the alpacas.
Their AlpacaLand Ranch Store is a great place to pick up souvenirs of your alpaca experience. Many of the items sold in their store are made in Belgrade using Sentinel Ranch Alpaca wool.
2. Picnic at Lewis and Clark Park
There is nothing nicer than a beautiful Montana day that includes a picnic and some playtime. Lewis and Clark Park in Belgrade is a great place to enjoy the Montana outdoors and have a little bit of fun at the same time.
Lewis and Clark Park has a great playground that your kids will love, as well as a large picnic area and plenty of open grassy areas for your kids to run around in.
The Park also has a water park and skate park if you or your kids are looking for something a little more rambunctious. There are dining options just across the street from Lewis and Clark Park that you can grab a bite to eat and enjoy at one of the park’s many picnic tables.
3. Take a Helicopter Tour
Rocky Mountain Rotors in Belgrade is a great way to get a different perspective of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. This company offers helicopter experiences that range from photography flights, heli-skiing, and private charters to and from Belgrade.
This company has some of the nicest and most well-maintained helicopters in the area, so you don’t have to worry about safety.
4. Skiing at Bridger Bowl
Since 1955, Bridger Bowl has been providing great skiing opportunities in the Belgrade area. This ski area is run by a non-profit organization that is focused on providing the best ski experience possible and creating an environmentally sustainable mountain.
This family-friendly resort is even more attractive to visitors to Belgrade thanks to reasonably priced lift tickets.
Known as one of the best ski areas in North America, Bridger Bowl offers some unique features that you may not find at other ski areas and ski resorts. There is a dedicated area for beginning skiers and riders, which makes Bridger Bowl a perfect place to bring your kids.
The mountain has plenty of runs for intermediate riders, and expert riders will love the “Ridge” area of the resort which offers steep slopes, bowl riding, and plenty of opportunity for ungroomed powder days.
5. Horseback Riding
Lucky Rose is a local outfitter that provides a variety of equestrian activities for visitors. Young equestrians can enjoy riding lessons in both western and English disciplines.
Lucky Rose also offers trail rides, wagon and carriage rides, and even pony rides for your littlest horse enthusiasts. With reasonable rates, Lucky Rose is a great place to get your “horse fix” while visiting Belgrade.
6. Alpaca Ranch Tours
Alpacas and llamas are quickly becoming two of the most desired livestock animals in the United States. These gentle animals, distantly related to camels are sought after for their wool and ability to carry heavy loads over rough and rocky terrain.
Sentinel Ranch Alpacas offers tours and farm experiences year-round in the Belgrade area. Some of the most popular options at Sentinel Ranch include farm-to-table dinners, tours of the farm, and classes on how alpaca wool is made into fabric and yarn.
They also have the AlpacaLand Store on site where you can purchase a variety of products made from alpaca wool.
7. Hunting & Fishing
If you are looking for a reliable and safe outfitter in the Belgrade area that specializes in large game hunting, check out Sage Peak Outfitters.
This great local business takes great care in providing a successful hunting experience for visitors and locals alike. Their expert guides can help you find the best places to collect elk, mule deer, and antelope.Their knowledgeable staff can guide you through bowhunting and rifle-hunting options.
It’s hard to deny that fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in southwest Montana. Belgrade is located in a particularly great spot for fishing.
Within a short drive of Belgrade, you find amazing fishing opportunities along the Missouri and Madison Rivers, the East Gallatin, and 16 Mile Creek.
Montana is home to more blue-ribbon fly-fishing locations than anywhere in the United States. If you’ve never been but are excited about trying your hand at fly fishing, there are plenty of outfitters in Belgrade that can teach you the skills and guide you to some of the best fly-fishing spots in the area.
Our favorite local outfitter is Montana Trout Wranglers. Montana Trout Wranglers have some of the most knowledgeable guides in the Belgrade area. They can take you to the best spots on over 300 miles of water in the Belgrade area. They also rent all of the equipment you’ll need for an amazing fly-fishing experience.
8. Motorcycle Tour
Not every visitor to Belgrade, MT wants to experience an activity like hiking, fishing, or horseback riding. Some of us just want to go faster. EagleRider Motorcycle Tours can help you experience the Rocky Mountains in a way that you’ve never experienced before.
EagleRider provides motorcycles and motorcycle tours for men and women. They offer a variety of vehicles for all skill levels of riders.
All riders must have some experience and EagleRider does prefer that all individuals participating in their tours possess a motorcycle license from their home state.
Check out EagleRider Rentals and Tours for more information on their motorcycle tour options.
9. Play a Round at Cottonwood Hills Golf Club
You may not think of Belgrade, MT as a place to enjoy a great round of golf, but this community in the Gallatin Valley is home to an outstanding golf course.
Cottonwood Hills Golf Course offers 27 exceptionally maintained holes, with options for every golfer. They have course options for beginners to experts.
Cottonwood Hills offers a par 72 championship course that is perfect for experienced players, while those new to the game or golfers that are just looking for a more relaxed round will enjoy the 9-hole course executive course.
Cottonwood Hills also offers great vistas of the Gallatin Valley that make playing a round here one of the most enjoyable experiences in the area.
10. Catch a Race at the Gallatin Speedway
Locals love to spend warm summer nights watching fast cars at the Gallatin Speedway.
This dirt racetrack was built in 1997 and sits right off of I-90. Races are run on Friday nights through the summer and feature races such as the WISSOTA Street Stocks, Super Stocks, Late Models, and Modifieds.
The track also features some special events like sprint car races. The full schedule of races can be found on the Gallatin Speedway website.
11. Go Shopping at The Chalet Market
Chalet Market is the perfect place to experience the flavors of Montana. Founded in 1976 Chalet Market is known for its meat products that are locally grown and are favorites of locals and visitors alike.
You’ll find meat options at Chalet Market that you’ll not find in your local supermarket. Sure, they have typical options like ham, sausage, deli meats, turkey, and chicken. However, it is not the “normal” stuff that you come to Chalet Market for.
Locals and visitors rave about Chalet Market’s gift boxes and unique meat options like rabbit, bison, and game meats. The gift boxes contain locally raised and prepared meats, cheeses, and other hand-picked items. The Market also sells beer and wine to accompany your meat and gift boxes.
Chalet Market is owned by long-time area residents Mark and Gwen Croghan who are committed to providing an exceptional product and outstanding customer service to their neighbors and visitors to Belgrade.
12. Drink and Dine Locally
You really can’t go wrong when you choose locally owned spots for dining in Belgrade. The community offers some really great dining and beverage options that should not be missed.
Madison River Brewing is one of the most well-known craft breweries in Montana. Named for the Madison River that runs through the Belgrade area, and its blue-ribbon trout fishery, the brewery lives up to the hype that its namesake brings. Like the river, Madison River Brewing is a blue-ribbon spot to enjoy a brew.
In business since 2004, this brewery does more than just make great beers that you can enjoy in their Belgrade tap room. They provide contract brewing services for some other well-known breweries in the west, including Moab Brewing,
Park City Brewing and another Montana favorite, Big Hole Brewing. Belgrade only has this one brewery and it honestly cannot be beaten.
Certainly, you can’t just drink your meals when you’re visiting Belgrade, so it’s a good thing that there are some great places to get a meal as well. Not long ago, if you needed a good meal, you were going to have to head to Bozeman. However, today the dining options in Belgrade easily compete with the up-and-coming restaurant scene you’ll find in Bozeman.
Local favorites include Rise and Shine Café for a great traditional breakfast. Popular options on their menu include biscuits and gravy and homemade jam.
For lunch, check out the Pho Bone Broth, Taco Bus or Bar 3 Bar-B-Q. These are pretty popular spots with locals, so don’t be surprised to have to wait for a seat. The Local American Saloon is the newest restaurant in town and competes well with the dining scene in Bozeman.
Other dinner options in town are The Mint Café and Bar and Cugino’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant. These spots are popular with the locals. And if you’re local, they’re great dining options to share with out-of-town visitors.
13. Catch a Show at The Gallatin Underground
If you want to check out the music scene in Belgrade, check out the Gallatin Underground.
This audio/video production company focuses its work on promoting local artists and musicians by promoting their works on YouTube and Facebook.
They also have three different shows in Belgrade that showcase local musicians; The Gallatin Underground Show, Hidden Gems and live streaming show that is shared in real-time on YouTube and Facebook.
Free Things to Do in Belgrade, Montana
14. Visit the Belgrade Community Library
Established in 1932 by the Belgrade Women’s Club the Belgrade Community Library is one of the oldest in Gallatin County. The library was housed in its original building until 1989 when a new facility was constructed to meet the growing demands of the community.
The Belgrade Community Library is one of the town services that are open to all residents in town, as well as visitors. Programs are free and are accessible to all residents of Gallatin County, including those that are low and moderate-income.
The library offers a variety of programs for both adults and children. Programs that are ongoing in the library include preschool story time, game days, summer reading book clubs for kids, LEGO club, and a variety of book clubs for adults and children.
Despite the smaller size of Belgrade’s population, the library is incredibly well used. They boast over 6,000 registered borrowers and have over 48,000 items on their shelves including books, DVDs, and ebooks.
15. Go for a Hike
Hiking is a very popular activity in Belgrade, and there are miles of trails in and around Belgrade that you’ll enjoy exploring.
One of the most popular trails for locals is the Valley Center Trail which travels 4-miles from Belgrade to Jackrabbit. This well-maintained trail is perfect for walking and can also be traveled by bike.
There are also plenty of mountain trails if you’re looking for something a bit more robust. Corbly Gulch, North Cottonwood, and Sypes Canyon are all great hikes that are not too far from Belgrade.
If you want a bit of history with your hike, check out Headwater State Park for a variety of nice trails and some great historical information about the Gallatin Valley.
16. Belgrade Splash Park
If you happen to be in Belgrade on a hot summer day and you want a fun way to cool down, but don’t want to swim, check out the Belgrade Splash Park.
Located in Lewis and Clark Park, the splash park is open during the summer from 9 am to 9 pm and is very popular with the local kids.
You’ll find a variety of water features in the splash park that can accommodate kids of all ages (including those who are kids at heart).
Lewis and Clark Park is full of beautiful shade trees, picnic tables, and a playground, so it is a perfect spot to cool off and escape the heat of summer.
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