Bring Your Best Friend Along; Pet Friendly Travel in Montana's Yellowstone Country
Crazy Mountains, photo by Garret Smith
Montana’s Yellowstone Country is a pet-friendly destination, and our four-legged friends love exploring our wide-open spaces as much as we do! Hundreds of miles of hiking, refreshing rivers, dog parks and welcoming outdoor patios are all part of the experience. If your travels include furry family members, you’re in luck; we have plenty of options to keep everyone comfortable.
Pet-Friendly Hotel Options
Many hotels are pet-friendly (often for a nominal fee), but some go further and offer special packages for you and your pet. In Big Sky, the Wilson Hotel’s Dog Days in the Mountains includes a welcome kit consisting of a chew toy, treats, water bowl, rawhide bone, Wilson-branded bandana, use of a plush dog bed and a $10 gift card to Beehive Brewery for a dog-friendly Yappy Hour. Plus, they’ll donate $25 in your pet’s name to a local shelter.
The Kimpton Armory Hotel also offers treats and a pet bed at no extra fee. Another pet-friendly option, the Wandering Buffalo is ideally situated for a walk. Located just a couple of blocks from Lindley Park, it's an easy walk to Burke Park (also known as Peet’s Hill), an off-leash trail overlooking the valley. (Local tip: Sunrise and sunset walks can be spectacular.)
Photo by Garret Smith
Dog Parks
Bozeman has several off-leash parks, including Snowfill, which features two miles of trails across 37 fenced-in acres. In Livingston, the Moja Campbell Dog Park has a beautiful quarter-mile gravel trail along the Yellowstone River (it’s not fenced, but your dog can be off-leash if they are under voice control). In Red Lodge, the Double Ditch Dog Park sits on the west bench with plenty of room to run and stunning views.
Dog Treats
For premium pet food, treats and gear, Dee-O-Gee and Bridger Animal Nutrition in Bozeman are well-stocked with healthy options for your pet. And if your pooch gets muddy on your adventure, Dee-O-Gee offers self-serve dog washing stations (complete with shampoo, towels and a dryer!) at both of its Bozeman locations. Lewis and Bark Outpost in Red Lodge is another great pet store, and they’ve created a local Dog Friendly Fun Guide with over forty dog-friendly businesses around town!
Photo by Garret Smith
Wag Kind
Of course, there are a few things to remember. Please obey the leash laws. We share our home with wildlife, so keep your pets close and leashed when necessary. Pack out pet waste — keeping our trails clean helps keep our watershed clean. Be mindful of water availability. Many trails don't have reliable water sources, so have extra water in your vehicle, especially during the warm months. A collapsible bowl is also useful. 😉 You can find a list of other common questions about pet etiquette here.
Wishing you safe travels, happy tails and plenty of room to roam!