Our Top 5 Dog-Friendly Trails in Bozeman

1. Peets Hill

If you’re looking for a social outing with your dog right here in town, Peets Hill is the spot! Completing the entire loop gives your pup about 2 miles of exercise with gentle inclines. This trail is great for walking, running or biking; however, your pup may just want to play with new friends in the big field at the top. This is also a great place to take photos and watch the sunset!

2. Snowfill Recreation Area

We love Snowfill because it gives our pups endless freedom to roam. A fully enclosed 38 acre park, Snowfill provides both trails and fields to explore. Shy or less social dogs will have plenty of space to themselves, and owners can do as many miles of walking as they want. Just a heads up, there is no shade in the area so it can get quite hot on sunny days. And don’t be afraid of a little mud if you go here in the spring!

3. Sourdough Canyon

This is our favorite trail for biking or skiing with our dogs. It is wide enough to give space when passing other pups, and its gradual incline provides a good work out without being too hard on your pup. The trail parallels Bozeman Creek for the first 2 miles, which provides plenty of spots to cool off. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can follow the trail for 9 miles to Mystic Lake. In the spring and summer, there is a bounty of wildflowers to enjoy. Sourdough Canyon is a little farther from town, with a convenient, designated parking area. However, be warned! This trail gets crowded on the weekends!

4. Lava Lake

Another great lake hike is the Lava Lake Trail. Located in Gallatin Canyon on the way up to Big Sky, this beautiful, shady trail has a solid 1,600+ feet of elevation gain over the course of 3 miles. The picturesque lake at the top, surrounded by the Spanish Peaks, makes it worth the trip. And if your dog likes to swim, it is an excellent way to cool off. There are several water crossings and some steep drops on parts of the trail, so this is a bit more of a technical hike and is not appropriate for biking or skiing. If you want to get out on a trail in winter, try snowshoeing here!

5. Sypes Canyon Trail

Sypes Canyon is a another great option if you’re looking for shade on a sunny day. Two miles in, there is a great overlook of the Gallatin Valley. If you and your pup are looking for more exercise, you can continue on the trail to the 3.2 mile mark where the hike joins the Bridger Foothills Trail. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can go even farther and summit Mount Baldy. Just be sure your pup has some miles under his paws before you embark on a summit effort, as a hike of that magnitude may lead to soreness and injured pads. Also, bring water if you venture past the 2 mile overlook; water sources can be tricky to find if you keep climbing. We hope you all get out there with your pups and enjoy our beautiful community!