Southwestern Montana is dotted with a plethora of clear mountain stream and crystal lakes, and many of them are located a short distance the recreation centers of Bozeman and Big Sky.  The trouble lies not in the decision to visit these natural wonders but in which one to choose as the days destination.  A couple weeks back, my wife and I loaded up kids, car seats, stroller and camera and headed to Fairy Lake which is located in a mountain cirque in the Bridger Range north of Bozeman.  After exiting the asphalt we followed the Forest Service road approximately 7 miles to the campground, trailhead and parking lot.  The parking lot also services hikes for the North and Middle Forks of the Brackett Creek hikes as well as the trails to Sacagawea Peak, Hardscrabble Peak and the Bridger Foothills National Recreation Trail so there were more than a handful of cars present on this beautiful Montana day.  For you hardcore back country ski enthusiasts, this may be an area to place on your lis ...

  60 E. Horse Creek Road, Cameron, MT The Property Located on 6 acres that is directly adjacent to open space and ponds within SunWest Ranch, the property at 60 E. Horse Creek is quintessential Montana. The views from the parcel include the full complement of mountain ranges present in the greater area. The property is situated off of an interior subdivision road that services just three home sites throughout this portion of the community. The home is protected by mature trees and approaching the home you immediately gain the sensation of seclusion (in a good way) and privacy.  The mature aspen and fir trees that shelter the perimeter of the home are substantial enough to give the property a sense of separation and independence from the ranch writ large, but not overwhelming to the point of obstructing views.  The home is also situated in such a manner as to capture a variety of view sheds based upon where you are oriented within the property.  The pond views are ve ...

Madison River near Cameron, MT A common thread among my friends who are looking for property in this area of Montana revolves around the dream of having a property where they can walk out their back door and hear the calming rush of water. From small, private creeks to the power and recreational opportunities of rivers like the Madison and Yellowstone, the presence of water has always been a large driving factor in the decision to purchase investment or recreational properties. In our little corner of the globe, we have been overwhelmingly endowed with access to phenomenal water courses. The fishing on the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone and Missouri are famed for a reason and smaller stretches of live water such the spring creeks in Paradise Valley, the East Gallatin, Smith, and Stillwater Rivers are as good or better in terms of fisheries with limited access making them highly sought after destinations. If you are looking for property that has direct river frontage on these or other fabled Mon ...

  Tourism is arguably the main economic driver for Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley as a whole, competing with Montana State University for largest overall economic impact. In terms of direct, quantifiable economic impact on the Gallatin Valley, tourism generates more than $600 million annually, the result of upwards of 1 million visitors coming through every year. Moreover, not only is this sector prominent, but it is continually growing. According to the City of Bozeman, in 2008 there were more than 10 million visitors to the state of Montana, putting a combined $3 billion into our economy. In terms of jobs, the sector employs nearly 50,000 people across the state, a number that is projected to continually grow as tourism itself continues to grow. This huge influx of tourism is generally associated with the many amenities we enjoy here in Big Sky Country; they provide the necessary incentive for out-of-staters to come and put their hard-earned money into our local economy. The ...

  9 Mill Creek Road, Paradise Valley, Montana There are few places in this world as aptly named as Paradise Valley, Montana. The dramatic peaks of the Absaroka Mountain range frame the backdrop of the famed Yellowstone River valley as it meanders its way out of our nation’s first national park. The surrounding land has been contoured by millennia of nature’s influence and it not only is home to dramatic peaks and lush valleys, but to open grasslands, high alpine forests and life abundant spring creeks. Located in the heart of this valley is the property at 9 Mill Creek Road, encompassing 20 acres of prime Yellowstone river frontage with staggering views of the mountains.  The home comprises over 3,900 square feet of which over 3,100 are finished living space. As you enter into the home you are greeted by a quaint kitchen with windows that drink in mountain landscape and river views. Entering the northerly wing of the home reveals two bedrooms and two bathrooms that are si ...

  Red Twig Lane is located on Tract 6 of Old River Farm. The unique qualities of this parcel, within an area already known for is peaceful setting, include approximately .3 miles of the meandering East Gallatin River, mature cottonwood trees and panoramic vistas of the Bridger Mountains. The river is less that a minutes’ walk from the building envelope and the sounds of water caressing the rocky bottom of the river can be heard from many areas on the property. The river is fringed with mature trees and large stands of willow line its banks and the community trails.  The River Often referred to as the "locals’ river", the East Gallatin is an appealing option when fishing in the Bozeman area. Beginning near Bozeman and meandering almost exclusively through private land, the East as it is referred to in the local vernacular, is truly a remarkable and intimate stream that boasts some of the largest trout in the valley. Access to the river can be exceedingly difficult because of ...

Joe Brooks Madison-Gallatin TU Yellowstone River Clean-Up The Chapter Joe Brooks Trout Unlimited, based in Livingston, is the oldest active local TU chapter in the state of Montana. Formed in 1968, they currently have 197 members and a 10 member Board of Directors dedicated to conserve, protect and restore the Yellowstone River and its tributaries. JBTU has received both state and national attention for their work on behalf of the Yellowstone River and one of the most successful annual events they host is the one day clean-up of the river.   Pre-event Instructions to Volunteers The Event The river clean up emerged after a group of local fishing guides and conservationists realized that the pristine Yellowstone River that they called home was no longer so pristine in some places. Spring flooding, recreational users, illegal dumping and legacy businesses along the banks of the fabled river had taken their toll over the years. As members of both Joe Brooks ...