Big Sky had been on our list for a while, and after experiencing it during the summer, I completely understand why people love this part of Montana.
We spent most of our trip outside hiking, ATVing through the mountains, ziplining, and making our way all the way to the top of Lone Peak. I loved how balanced it felt to go adventure, eat good food, and spend time just walking around Big Sky Town Center.
So if you’re looking for things to do in Big Sky Montana during the summer, I’m sharing everything we actually did, where we stayed, the restaurants we tried, what I would recommend, and a few things I would do differently if we went back.
And yes, there are already a few reasons we need to go back.
Where We Stayed in Big Sky: The Wilson Hotel
We stayed at The Wilson Hotel, right in the heart of Big Sky Town Center, and I really loved the location.
The rooms are suite-style, so they felt spacious and comfortable instead of like we were squeezed into a standard hotel room. The property also has a year-round outdoor pool and hot tub, a game room, and food options on property for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
We ate breakfast at the hotel every morning, and during our stay the chef usually had a specialty breakfast item in addition to the more traditional breakfast options. I always appreciate little touches like that when we’re staying somewhere for a few days because breakfast can get repetitive fast.
But the location was probably the biggest win for us. We could walk right outside and already be in Town Center, with restaurants, shops, and the weekly farmers market nearby.
If you want a convenient home base with easy access to a lot of the things to do in Big Sky Montana, I thought The Wilson worked really well.
Hike Beehive Basin
Beehive Basin was the hardest hike we did on this trip, which is good to know before you head out there thinking it’s going to be a casual little walk to a pretty lake.
The trail is about seven miles round trip with more than 1,600 feet of elevation gain, and the altitude was definitely noticeable for us.
The climb itself would have already been enough of a workout, but adding the elevation made it feel harder than a similar hike would normally feel for us. Take your time, bring plenty of water, and don’t be surprised if your pace is slower than usual.
Now when you make it to the top, the views are INCREDIBLE.
The trail takes you through open mountain scenery before reaching Beehive Basin and its alpine lake, and this was easily one of the prettiest places we saw during the trip.
One thing we would do differently is stop once we reached the lake. We kept following the AllTrails map beyond the lake and continued climbing, but personally, we didn’t feel like the extra distance and elevation gave us enough additional payoff to make it worth it.
I’d just make it to the lake, go up to the hill overlooking it for the view and photos, hang out for a little while, and head back down from there.
If you’re comparing more adventurous things to do in Big Sky Montana, Beehive Basin is definitely one I’d consider.
Take an Easier Hike to Ousel Falls
Ousel Falls was a completely different experience from Beehive Basin, and I loved this trail.
First, it’s much easier. The trail is around 1.6 miles round trip, making it something you can fit into your day.
But if you know me, you know I absolutely love a trail that follows rushing water. And you’re right beside the river for a good portion of this hike. You can hear it while you’re walking through the trees, and there are several spots where you can stop and enjoy it before eventually reaching Ousel Falls.
And the waterfall itself is gorgeous! There are picnic tables off the trail near the river and around the waterfall area. This would be such a good place to pack lunch and slow down for a little while instead of just hiking to the falls, taking a picture, and leaving.
If you’re newer to hiking or looking for easier things to do in Big Sky Montana, this would be one of my first recommendations.
Go ATVing Through the Mountains
This was our first time ATVing through the mountains, and it ended up being one of the coolest things we did.
We rented with Summit All Terrain Rentals and made our way up through the mountains. During the ride, there are several stopping points along the way to take in the views.
And the higher we went, the better they got. We also saw a lot of deer on the way up, which made the ride even more fun. I liked that this gave us a completely different way to see the area.
ATVing is easily one of the things to do in Big Sky Montana that I’d book again, especially if you want mountain views without adding another long hike to your itinerary.
Try Ziplining at Big Sky Resort
We also did the Nature Zipline Tour at Big Sky Resort. The Nature Tour has two ziplines and lasts about an hour. It takes you through the forest and over the river below, so the setting itself is really pretty.
I think this is a great option for families, someone who has never tried ziplining before, or anyone who wants to try it without immediately jumping into something too extreme.
But if we did it again, Justin and I would choose the Adventure Zipline Tour.
We’ve ziplined before, so the Nature Tour was a little more relaxed than what we were hoping for. The Adventure Tour is the better choice if you’re specifically looking for more of an adrenaline rush and a longer ziplining experience.
Ride to the Top of Lone Peak and Explore Kircliff
After ziplining, we headed to the top of Lone Peak to check out Kircliff, the glass observatory at 11,166 feet above sea level.
The observatory gives you insane views from the summit, and just getting up there feels like part of the experience. You ride the gondonla up to the base, and then another tram all the way to the top, so you’re seeing views the entire way up.
Looking out from the top really puts Big Sky Resort into perspective. There are Black Diamond and Triple Black Diamond ski trails that start from up there, and seeing those slopes in person had me wondering how anybody willingly skis down some of them because they looked CRAZY.
There are a few things I’d make sure you know before going to the summit.
Bring Layers
You can absolutely feel the temperature change as you gain elevation.
Even if it feels comfortable down below, bring an extra layer because it can be much colder at the top.
Secure Your Hats and Loose Items
The wind up there is STRONG.
This is not the place to casually set your hat down or have something loose in your hand while trying to get a picture.
Expect the Weather to Change
Big Sky weather in general can be unpredictable, and that is even more the case at the summit.
You could arrive on a day when Lone Peak is sitting in clouds or the weather changes while you’re up there.
The good thing is that Kircliff is enclosed in glass, so you can still enjoy the views from inside if you don’t want to stand out in the wind or weather.
We also learned something really cool while we were up there. Lightning strikes around exposed mountain peaks can create glassy material in rocks because of the extreme heat. If you’re curious about it, ask the staff at the summit to help point out where you should look.
Out of all the things to do in Big Sky Montana, this is probably one of the easiest ways to get an overarching mountain view of the park without having to hike your way to it.
Walk Around the Big Sky Farmers Market
If you’re visiting during the summer and your trip overlaps with a Wednesday, check out the Big Sky Farmers Market in Town Center.
During our visit there were vendors selling art, food, jewelry, fresh breads, and other handmade items, and because we were staying at The Wilson, it was basically right outside our hotel.
I love adding something like this into an outdoor-heavy trip because every activity doesn’t need to involve climbing something.
Sometimes it’s nice to have an evening where you can grab some food, walk around, shop a little, and actually enjoy the town.
Not all of the best things to do in Big Sky Montana have to be huge adventures, and the farmers market was a nice way to see another side of the area.
Where to Eat in Big Sky
One thing Big Sky did not disappoint us on was the food.
We ate REALLY well on this trip.
There are plenty of other restaurants around Big Sky that we didn’t get a chance to try, but these are the places we actually went to and enjoyed.
Breakfast at The Wilson Hotel
We ate breakfast at the hotel every morning, which made our mornings really easy before heading out for the day.
Along with the more traditional breakfast items, the chef usually had a specialty breakfast option while we were there, so there was a little variety each morning.
If you’re staying at The Wilson, I’d definitely take advantage of breakfast before heading out for a hike or activity.
Tres Toros Tacos & Tequila
Tres Toros is right around Town Center and was a good casual option when we wanted Mexican food.
We had the street tacos, but they also have other Mexican dishes on the menu. It’s also close to The Wilson, which made it an easy choice without having to drive somewhere after being out all day.
Blue Moon Bakery
Blue Moon Bakery is one of those places where the name doesn’t really tell you how much food they actually have.
You can get sandwiches, salads, pastries, and house-made pizza.
We grabbed a sandwich and pizza from here, and it did not disappoint.
This would also be a good place to grab something before heading out for the day if you want a quick meal without doing a full sit-down lunch.
Olive B’s Big Sky Bistro
Olive B’s was another spot we really enjoyed and a great lunch option.
It has more of a bistro-style feel, so I’d choose this when you want to sit down and have a nicer meal but don’t necessarily want anything overly formal.
Riverhouse BBQ
Riverhouse BBQ is a local favorite, and I understand why.
They have really good barbecue options, but one thing to know is that popular items can sell out.
If you specifically want something like the fried chicken or burnt ends, I would consider getting there closer to opening instead of assuming the full menu will still be available later in the day.
Nothing is worse than thinking about what you want all day and getting there just to find out it’s gone.
Block 3 Kitchen & Bar
Block 3 is another restaurant right at The Wilson, and it was one more reason I liked staying in Town Center.
The menu falls more into that New American style of food, and this is a good option when you want a nicer dinner but also don’t feel like venturing far from the hotel.
There are definitely more restaurants to explore, but every place we tried gave us another reason to add food to the list of things to do in Big Sky Montana.
How to Get to Big Sky
For most people flying in, I’d recommend flying into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and renting a car.
Having your own car makes it much easier to get between Town Center, Big Sky Resort, trailheads, restaurants, and the other activities around the area.
I definitely wouldn’t want to do this particular trip without one.
If you’re planning out all of the things to do in Big Sky Montana before your trip, also pay attention to where everything is located. Big Sky isn’t huge, but your activities won’t all be within walking distance of one another.
Add Yellowstone National Park to Your Trip
If your schedule allows it, I HIGHLY recommend adding Yellowstone National Park to your Big Sky trip.
We drove through the park and made a few quick stops, and even with just that small taste of Yellowstone, we saw elk, bison, geysers, and some amazing scenery. It definitely made us want to come back and spend more time there.
If you’re making your list of things to do in Big Sky Montana and have an extra day, I’d leave room for Yellowstone instead of trying to pack another activity into Big Sky itself.
Honestly, I wish we’d had even more time there.
A Few Things to Know Before Visiting Big Sky in the Summer
Big Sky is a mountain destination, so there are a few things I’d keep in mind when planning your trip.
Pack for Changing Weather
Bring layers.
The weather can change quickly, and the temperature difference between Town Center and the top of Lone Peak was very noticeable for us.
I would rather have an extra layer sitting in my bag than be freezing because I assumed summer automatically meant warm.
Don’t Underestimate the Altitude
This was probably the biggest thing we noticed on Beehive Basin.
If you’re coming from a much lower elevation, give yourself a little grace. Drink plenty of water, take breaks when you need them, and don’t feel like you need to keep your normal hiking pace.
Carry the Right Hiking Essentials
For trails like Beehive Basin, I’d bring plenty of water, snacks, layers, sunscreen, navigation, and bear spray.
ALSO READ: I have a full guide on what to pack when hiking if you want a more detailed checklist before your trip.
Leave Some Room in Your Schedule
There are a lot of things to do in Big Sky Montana, but I wouldn’t schedule an activity for every available hour.
Some of my favorite parts of mountain trips are the in-between moments: walking around town, sitting near the water, taking our time after a hike, or getting in the hot tub after being outside all day.
Give yourself enough room to actually enjoy where you are.
Big Sky Montana FAQ
How Many Days Do You Need in Big Sky During the Summer?
I’d give yourself at least three full days if you want to hike, spend time at Big Sky Resort, and fit in another activity like ATVing without rushing through everything.
Four or five days would give you more breathing room and make it much easier to add Yellowstone.
Do You Need a Rental Car in Big Sky?
For the type of trip we did, I would absolutely rent a car.
Town Center itself is walkable, but trailheads, Big Sky Resort, Yellowstone, and other activities are spread out enough that having your own transportation makes the trip much easier.
What Should You Pack for Big Sky in the Summer?
Layers are the biggest thing I’d recommend.
I’d also bring hiking shoes, a rain jacket, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle or hydration pack, a small daypack, and bear spray if you’re hiking.
Mountain weather can change quickly, and temperatures can feel completely different as you gain elevation.
Would We Go Back to Big Sky?
Absolutely.
We packed a lot into this trip, but I still left feeling like we had barely scratched the surface. Between the hikes, mountain views, food, Big Sky Resort, and being so close to Yellowstone, there are still plenty of things to do in Big Sky Montana that we didn’t get to experience.
And I still need to go back and do that Adventure Zipline.
If you’re planning your own trip, I’d choose a few activities you’re really excited about, leave a little room to slow down, and definitely make time for at least one good hike. Big Sky is one of those places where just being surrounded by the mountains is part of the experience.
