RV Rental Bozeman, MT

Bozeman, Montana RV Rentals

Founded in 1864 by John M. Bozeman, the city of Bozeman is nestled in the Gallatin Valley of Montana, watched over by the majestic Rocky Mountains and the "big sky" above. But Bozeman is no "frontier outpost"; it’s an energetic university town that is proud of its diverse and varied attractions, including world-class restaurants, a thriving arts and culture scene, and numerous events and festivals. 

With over 300 days of sun per year, Bozeman is a year-round tourist destination that's the fastest-growing city in Montana.

Its proximity to Yellowstone National Park makes Bozeman the perfect town to explore with an RV road trip. RV rentals in Bozeman are plentiful, so you should have no problem finding the ideal one to suit your needs. The surrounding region boasts some of the best RV campgrounds in the nation, with numerous amenities, including free WiFi, laundry facilities, and clean showers.

If you’re considering an RV trip to Bozeman, check out all the fun and amazing things to do in this friendly and eclectic town. 

Popular RV Destinations in Bozeman

Yellowstone National Park

Being one of the most visited and famous national parks in the country, it’s pretty obvious why a trip to Yellowstone would be at the top of our list of must-see destinations when visiting Bozeman. Well known for its abundant free-roaming wildlife and plentiful geothermal activity, Yellowstone National Park is open year-round for you to enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing, and so much more. Located just 90 miles south of Bozeman, it’s a perfect RV stop to put on your itinerary.

Being America’s first national park and spanning over three states, Yellowstone is vast and offers something for everyone. Of course, we recommend taking in Yellowstone’s most famous attraction, the reliably-timed Old Faithful geyser. But there are actually over 300 geysers to observe throughout the park. Also be sure to hike the boardwalk trail that travels around the Mammoth Hot Springs, and take in the sights of the boiling river.

Palisade Falls

Located just 15 miles south of Bozeman is another wonder of nature, Hyalite Canyon. This region features 34,000 acres of stunning mountain valley vistas, as well as the Hyalite Reservoir, which holds over 8,000-acre-feet of drinking water that supplies the city of Bozeman. Just a short distance away from the reservoir you will find the impressive Palisade Falls.

The falls towers 80 feet above the canyon, gushing large amounts of water over the rugged and raw vertical rock face. The paved trail to get to the falls meanders about 1.2 miles round trip, and is an enjoyable and easy hike for most people, including children. There is also a spacious picnic area at the base of the falls where you can hang out and relax until you’re ready to walk back.

Museum of the Rockies

As part of Montana State University, the highly acclaimed Museum of the Rockies is a top-notch venue that houses the largest collection of dinosaur bones in the country. It was the longtime home of Dr. Jack Horner, the scientist that pioneered the designs for the Jurassic Park creatures. So you can be sure that the dinosaur displays and exhibit here will be realistic and state-of-the-art.

Of course, dinosaurs aren’t the only reason people flock to this acclaimed museum. The main focus of the venue is the physical and cultural history of the Rocky Mountains, including the people, animals, and habitats that have been in the area since before history began. Take your time and soak in informative and entertaining exhibits, such as “Enduring Peoples,” which focuses on the Native Americans from the Northern Plains, learn all about the frontier days and the people who settled here in “History of the Northern Rocky Mountain Region,” check out the “Living History Farm,” the Taylor Planetarium, and more.

Montana Grizzly Encounter

The Montana Grizzly Encounter is the one place in the region where you want to get up close and personal with a massive and mystifying grizzly bear. This educational venue is also a rescue sanctuary that provides a protected and natural home for grizzlies that require rescuing or life-saving interventions. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn all about these legendary animals, their habitats, threats, and conservation.

The bears in this sanctuary have all been born in captivity, and as such, they’re incapable of surviving alone in the wild. Oftentimes rescued from inhumane conditions and cruel treatment, these bears are now able to live a peaceful and safe existence without being hampered by bars or cages. The sanctuary’s beautiful mountain setting, with its open fields, flowers, ponds, and rocky ridges is the ideal environment for them to thrive and live long, healthy lives.

Bridger Bowl Ski Area

Bozeman is the perfect year-round tourist destination, thanks to places like the Bridger Bowl Ski Area. It is a locally owned, non-profit skiing destination located in the heart of the Gallatin National Forest. Popular with tourists and locals alike, this lively ski area reaches up about 6,000 feet and stretches for almost two miles, with 75 marked trails and numerous unmarked ski areas.

With such a large area, there’s something for every level of skiing here, from easy and forgiving beginner slopes at the base of the bowl to rigorous and challenging expert-level terrain at the top of the mountain. For the uber adventurous, the region also contains steep chutes, aggressive rock cliffs, and plenty of snowfields that require you to be equipped with an avalanche transceiver and an expert level of athleticism. 

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

Named after the famous explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Lewis and Clark Caverns was not discovered by the intrepid pair, but was named after the two men due to its proximity to the legendary Lewis and Clark Expedition Trail. It was dedicated as Montana’s first state park in 1941. Overlooking about 50 miles of the trail, visitors can explore guided cave tours from May through September that take you through two miles of twisting underground limestone trails and rooms.

Take in impressive and numerous examples of stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, and columns that have formed over millions of years. Keep your eyes peeled for Western big-eared bats and woodrats that make their homes in these dark and dank spaces. After your guided tour, you can warm up and soak up the sun on a leisurely 1.3-mile hike along the Jefferson River’s fishing access trail.

Events and Entertainment in Bozeman

MSU Bobcat Spring Rodeo

Each April for over 30 years, the Montana State University’s Bobcat Rodeo has been one of the pinnacle events in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s circuit. The event is held inside the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the MSU campus and attracts thousands of fans and spectators who cheer on their favorite college student or team competitors.

Competition events include saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying. Multiple schools converge over this 4-day event to vie for the opportunity to compete in the College National Finals held in Casper, Wyoming. This is about as exciting and authentic as rodeo gets, and what better place to witness it than in Big Sky Country, a region famous for its rich cowboy and rodeo history. 

Sweet Pea Festival

Held on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of August each year, Bozeman’s Sweet Pea Festival honors the region’s talented visual and performing artists with a jam-packed schedule of events. The festival kicks off in Lindley Park on late Friday afternoon with a live performance by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actors. Saturday involves a parade that leads attendees to the park from town, a children’s run, art shows, exhibits, and workshops, live entertainment, and much more.

Entertainment comes in almost any form imaginable during the festival’s three days, including performances by local dance and theater troupes and musicians. The beer and wine garden is always a popular spot to sample some great locally made wines and Montana microbrews. You’ll lose track of time strolling through the hundred or so arts and crafts vendors in search of the perfect souvenir or unique gift for a friend or family member.

Music on Main

Bozeman celebrates summer each Friday evening throughout July and August with live music in its historic downtown area. Grab a bite to eat (or two) from the numerous on-site food vendors and restaurants that are open during the concert. 

Feel free to bring the kiddos early to take part in planned events that include Kenyon Noble’s Junior Carpenter program and fun and educational games hosted by the Museum of the Rockies and the Children’s Museum. There’s also a fun “Kids Zone” that has bouncy houses, hula hooping, and plenty of other fun activities to occupy and tire out your children. 

Gallatin Valley Farmers’ Market

The farmers’ market is held at the large and spacious Gallatin County Fairgrounds every Saturday from June to September. For 50 years, the farmers’ market has been the place for local vendors to showcase and sell their talented homemade wares and promote their family-owned businesses. The weekly market attracts hundreds of customers from the surrounding area to peruse the widely varied offerings both inside and outside.

You can find unique gifts, crafts, jewelry, clothing, art, foods, and baked goods to try. You’ll also see handcrafted candles, blankets, organic and holistic health supplies, toys, journals, books, pet accessories, and almost anything else you can think of and many things you didn’t even know you needed until you see them. If you’re lucky enough to tour Bozeman near Thanksgiving or Christmas, you should make a point of stopping by the special holiday market that offers even more stuff to choose from.

Bridger Raptor Festival

The Bridger Raptor Festival is a three-day free festival held each October at the Bridger Bowl Ski Area, and it’s like nothing you’ve seen elsewhere. The annual festival centers around the nation’s largest known migration of golden eagles. Activities include interpretive programs with live raptors, a Wildlife Film Festival, nature walks, storytelling, face painting, and entertainment for all ages. 

The event offers 16 Rocky Mountain raptor monitoring sites throughout the Bridger Bowl ski area and helicopter platform. Since the monitoring of the migratory activity of the golden eagles has begun, 16 other species of raptors have been regularly spotted in the Bridger Bowl migratory range each autumn. This is an event to remember, and it happens in all types of weather conditions, so be sure to come prepared with proper attire, footwear, water, binoculars, and your camera.

FAQs

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographic location that you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak season. You can get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning your RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you’re considering purchasing your own.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals in Bozeman can range between $75 and $150 per night for most small to moderately sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost from $100 to $250 per night, depending on the season and the RV’s year, make, and model. Some companies offer a discount if you rent for longer than a week.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Bozeman?

While most states require you to be at least 25 years old to rent an RV, the legal age to rent one in Montana is 21. This may not be the policy of your RV rental agency, however. Most companies require you to be at least 25 to rent.

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in Bozeman. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most rental companies will have RV-specific insurance that you can purchase.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

This policy varies among rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in Bozeman will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you picked up the vehicle. 

Q: Are RVs pet-friendly in Bozeman?

Many RV and camper rentals in Bozeman are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.