The Ultimate Yellowstone Country Bucket List 2026

As we look ahead to 2026, we thought it would be fun to create an Ultimate Yellowstone Country Bucket List to get you jump-started on your adventures. Of course, this list just scratches the surface of what awaits you in Montana’s Yellowstone Country, but we’ve got to start somewhere! Look for us on social and share your bucket list ideas!

January: Soak in one of our natural hot springs. Bozeman Hot Springs, Chico Hot Springs and Yellowstone Hot Springs all offer unique experiences, whether it’s live music poolside, a historic stay with great dining, or a remote location with incredible views, including stargazing!

February: Try a locally made candy. Front Porch Chocolates, La Chatelaine, Caldera Cacao Roasters or Bequet Caramel are all good places to start!

March: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at one of our local craft breweries. There are 19 breweries across the region, with nine of them in Bozeman alone! Brewers here love their craft, and it shows. You’ll find an array of styles and flavors, but one thing is the same: the tasting rooms are all full of friendly locals ready to chat it up!

April: Pond Skim at Big Sky Resort. If you have yet to experience a pond skim, you’re in for a treat. Contestants don their craziest costumes and barrel down the mountain to try to skim across an ice-cold pond without getting wet. There are lots of laughs, plenty of camaraderie, and a season-ending ritual that even non-skiers can enjoy!

May: Fish the Mother’s Day Caddis Hatch. You’ll have to pay attention, Mother Nature isn’t exact with her timing, but if you’re into fly fishing, the caddis hatch on the Yellowstone River is legendary.

June: Wildlife watching in Yellowstone National Park. Spring brings baby wildlife to the Park — bison (known as red dogs), deer, elk, bear cubs and wolf pups can all be spotted this time of year!

July: Cool off in an alpine lake. July and August are typically the only months when it gets really hot in this part of the state, making them the perfect time to explore one of our well-loved lakes. Hebgen Lake, Cooney Reservoir State Park, and Hyalite Reservoir are among the biggest, but there are hundreds of smaller lakes tucked up in the mountains.



August: Enjoy a live concert or music festival. YC has become a hotspot for live music with venues across the region hosting multiple concerts each week. Keep an eye on the schedules from Pine Creek Lodge, The Old Saloon, The Attic, Montana Music Ranch, ELM and Bridger Brewing. Plus, the Forget Me Knot Fest in Cooke City, the Sweet Pea Festival and Summer SLAM Fest in Bozeman and Rappin’ the Rivers in nearby Cardwell all take place in August.

September: Bag a peak. You obviously don’t have to wait until September to bag one of the MANY peaks in YC, but I will tell you it’s considerably cooler, and it doesn’t require such an early morning start!

October: Visit a local farm. Agriculture remains one of the top industries in Montana, and small, local farms continue to sprout up (I couldn’t resist). You can find a full list at Abundant Montana — these farmers will tell you they welcome the opportunity to show you around, and most have crops for sale.

November: Shop Local. You don’t need to wait for Small Business Saturday to start your holiday shopping. Our quaint small towns are full of interesting boutiques, art galleries, sporting goods stores and specialty shops. (Plus, great dining options to round out the day!)



December: Head out for a Stroll. No, we’re not talking about a walk, but rather one of our holiday strolls! You’ll find these community events (or something similar) in almost every town in the region, and the vibe will get you into the holiday spirit.

Here’s to bucket lists — let us know if you happen to check most (or all) of them off!