Fall in Montana is truly a great time. The leaves are changing, temps are nice cool, snow is just starting to show up on the peaks, and it's just a great time to be outdoors. There's also something comforting about throwing on a warm sweater and a pair of jeans, especially after coming off the dog days of summer and the hot temperatures. Fall is especially exciting for kids as the head back to school and get ready for Halloween. But what is there to do in Bozeman during the fall? Here are a few ideas to fall activities for kids just in case you are looking for ideas.
Attend the Raptor Festival
One of the coolest events in the fall is the Bridger Raptor Festival at Bridger Bowl Ski Area. This annual event is "dedicated to promoting an awareness and appreciation for the migration of raptors and other wildlife through the Northern Rockies". It is usually takes place around the first week of October and includes hikes, displays, lectures, adult and kid activities and live bird presentations. Seeing these magnificent birds up close is a memorable experience for all ages and you might even learn a thing or two. For more info, check out their website at bridgerraptorfest.com.
Unfortunately this event has been cancelled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is planned for 2021 on October 1st-3rd. For more information please visit the Raptor Fest website.
Find Your Way Through the Hay Maze
One of the funnest activities available during the fall is the Bozeman Hay Maze. Each year the organizers spend weeks assembling a massive maze of hay bails for everyone to come and tour. Over the years the maze has been in the shape of a tractor, a barn, a scarecrow, a stagecoach, and a castle. It seams like each year the maze gets bigger and bigger as well. Be sure to use the map just in case you get lost and need to find your way out. For maze updated, be sure to check out their Facebook page.
Cheer for the Bobcats
In Bozeman the whole town gets excited for our Montana State Bobcats, Bozeman is afterall a college town at its core. On Saturdays you will find the MSU campus buzzing with energy leading up to the kickoff. Check out some of the tailgates or get fired up with Champ, the Bobcat mascot, and the Spirit of the West Marching Band. During the game get ready to cheer for the Bobcats as they fight their way to victory as one of the teams in the Big Sky Conference of the NCAA's FCS division. Go Cats Go!
Take a Hay Ride at Rocky Creek Farm
Starting around the end of September, Rocky Creek Farm plays host to kids of all ages as they come to pick out their pumpkins, take a hay ride, see the animals, and try out some of the locally grown fruit. They even have a haunted swamp to stroll through if you are up for a spooky good time. Rocky Creek Farm is located a few miles east of Bozeman, just off Frontage Road.
Catch Some Fish
During the summer the local rivers and streams are packed with tourist flocking to Bozeman for their perfect fly fishing excursion. But, the fall offers some of the best fishing of the year. As temps cool the fish become a little more active as the try to fatten up for the colder months. Contact one of the local fly shops to get up to date reports on where the fish are biting and what they are biting on.
See Some Dinosaurs
The Museum of the Rockies has one of the best collections of dinosaur fossils in the country. Taking a stroll through the museum will excite and inspire kids of all ages and make you feel like you are walking through Jurrasic Park. Be sure to check out their full T-Rex skeleton in the Siebel Dinosaur Complex. Looking up at that big creature will remind you just how small you are. After the tour, head up stairs and check out the Martin Children's Discovery Center. There are a lot of fun hands on activities focused around Yellowstone National Park, but watch out for those geysers, they always seem to go off when you least expect them.
We hope that you enjoy your visit to Bozeman. There is always plenty to do for the older adventurer, but if your little ones need to burn off a little energy, check out these fun activities.
If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at some of our other related articles:
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- Top 10 Things To Do in Yellowstone
- Bozeman Breweries: Enjoying The Best Beer Around Town
- 3 Scenic Hikes in Yellowstone
- 4 Spots to Go Fly Fishing in Bozeman
- 5 Things to do in Hyalite Recreation Area For Every Activity Level
In our never-ending quest to keep up with all things new in Bozeman, we have been producing content for years and can't possibly update every blog when new businesses open or existing businesses close. Please reference the publish date and do your own due diligence when making plans.