Planning A Summer Trip to Big Sky, Montana and Need Some Help?

Big Sky is kind of an unincorporated area in southwestern Montana that is filled with jaw dropping natural beauty. And since so many people head there for vacation we here at GiftYa figured you might need a little help planning your next vacation to Big Sky. So today I have a list for you of some of the best fun summertime activities you can find in the area. 

And I’ll be sure to give you each place's addresses since Big Sky can be a little hard to navigate. I’ll also link you to each of their websites so that way you can check out their pricing and package options so you can get a better handle on how to budget your vacation. And speaking of budgeting, I will also provide you with a link anytime you can use one of our great digital GiftYa cards while you are exploring Big Sky.

What’s a GiftYa?

If you haven’t used a GiftYa yet they are a sleek and modern digital gift card that can be used at tens of thousands of locations around the United States. I find them to be really great for gift giving opportunities because they can be bought and sent wirelessly in just seconds. And I also find them really useful when planning vacations. It’s easier to budget your vacation when you can put part of the tab on digital gift cards in advance. That way you don’t have to worry about blowing your budget next time you are out adventuring and exploring Big Sky Montana!

1 - Montana Whitewater

HIgh Quality Summer Adventures Right In Big Sky!

Grab yourself a Montana White Water gift card by following the link!

63960 Gallatin Rd | Gallatin Gateway | montanawhitewater.com

Montana Whitewater has been one of the best places for adventure in Big Sky for over 30 seasons now. You can enjoy everything from whitewater rafting (as you might expect), ziplining, tubing, and plenty of fishing as well. They specialize in providing high-quality activities and adventures right near Yellowstone National Park. So you can whitewater raft and enjoy your adventure right in the park itself. Whether it’s your first trip to a national park, you’re a family, or you are just a thrill seeker looking for your next adventure, Montana White Water is going to be able to provide just the thing you are looking for. 

They have tons of different package options so you can get exactly the vacation adventure you are looking for. They are open from late spring to early fall so you’ll want to make sure to book your package in advance. They strive to accommodate everything from large groups to walk-ins though so if you want to try your luck the day of you might be able to, but I would advise booking in advance so you can budget your vacation a little easier. 

“What a fun time, we had 16 people in our group split into two rafts.  Willy was our guide and had us having a blast on the river.  Definitely coming back for more of their offerings.  Highly recommend Montana Whitewater!  Good times!” - Yelp Review 

You can get a Montana White Water gift card for you or a loved one by clicking the link! 

2 - Big Sky Resort’s Base Camp

A Prime Location In Big Sky for all Kinds of Summer Fun!

50 Big Sky Resort Rd | Big Sky | bigskyresort.com

If you are in the area and you aren’t visiting Yellowstone, then I’m guessing you will probably be stopping in at Big Sky Resort. And if you do, you will find that it is filled with all kinds of great summer activities. There’s everything you might be looking for for summer fun.

They have a whole 18-Hole Golf Course. Tons of mountain biking and hiking trails. Zipline tours and Adventure Mountain that features tons of activities that are great for kids. An archery course, and a disc golf course. FLy fishing and white water rafting. Horseback riding and rock climbing. And even an escape room called The Search For Creature X.

On top of all the recreational activities, you can also enjoy a scenic lift ride during the summer to get a stunning bird’s eye view of the mountains and landscape that surround the area. They run the life from 10 AM - 4:40 PM everyday during the summer season.

All in all, you are going to be guaranteed to have a great time at Big Sky Resort even in the summer. It’s obviously famous for its skiing, but there are tons of great activities you can do there in the summer as well!

“Big Sky Resort is a wonderful destination in the winter and the summer - I do both - July and February. famous for spectacular terrain, dry powder, and beautiful scenery. It's a very affordable location with a lot of different lodging options for couples and families.” - Yelp Review 

3 - 320 Guest Ranch

A Historic Part of Big Sky Featuring One of the Best Steakhouses and Restaurants In the Area!

Grab a digital 320 Guest Ranch gift card by following the link!

205 Buffalo Horn Creek Rd | Gallatin Gateway | 320ranch.com

320 Guest Ranch has been a part of Big Sky’s history for over 115 years. The ranch honors that history and aims to celebrate, not only Big Sky, but all of Montana by offering everything from some of the best lodging you can find in Big Sky. Plenty of amazing food served up at the restaurant, and all kinds of great activities for kids and adults alike! And to top it all off, it’s nestled nicely between Big Sky and Yellowstone National Park which makes it a great destination anytime you are planning a vacation or trip to the area.

The lodging they have features great modern log cabins. But more than anything you’re going to want to try some of their incredible made-from-scratch food that they serve up in McGill's Restaurant and saloon. They are one of the locations premiere steakhouses and probably the one you can find closest to Yellowstone if you are planning a visit. People seem to really love the food and the ambiance here so if it’s on your way to Big Sky or Yellowstone you would really be missing out by not stopping in for a visit at least once during your trip.

And you are going to want to try some of that incredible food after you spend the day horseback riding or fly fishing and enjoying a day in the abundant beauty of the natural landscape in the area! 

“My family and I had the most wonderful stay at 320 Ranch.  The dinner was unbelievably good.  Best steak I have ever had. If I had to do it all again, I would have stayed there for my entire stay in Montana. ” - Yelp Review 

It only takes a second to get a digital 320 Guest Ranch gift card !

4 - Hiking

There Are Miles of Amazing Hiking Trails Around Big Sky

If you are planning a trip to Big Sky and are hoping to really soak in the natural beauty then you are definitely going to want to try out some of the incredible hiking trails that there are in the area. Some of the most popular trails in the area are the Summit Lake Trail, the Beehive Basin Trail, and the Ousel Falls Trail. 

Ousel Falls Trail

The Ousel Falls Trail is one that is considered a bit easier than the other too. Which makes it perfect for beginner or casual hikers who are looking for a relaxing day in nature. The nice part is that the hike is just a little over 1.5 miles round trip. So it won’t take you all day to complete, and is even short enough that you can take your kids with you. And it’s well worth the trip because the hike will take you past plenty of natural beauty, but of course as you might have suspected, it does in fact take you by an incredible natural waterfall.

“Serene, quiet, and beautiful, this hike was one of my all time favorites. A beautiful walk through pristine mountain woods to a lovely waterfall. A great place to relax, breathe in the fresh mountain air, recharge the soul and cleanse the mind. I highly recommend this trail.” - Yelp Review 

Beehive Basin Trail

The Beehive Basin Trail is a more difficult trail than the Ousel Falls Trail. It’s about seven miles in length round trip and will take your average hiker around 4 hours to complete. There’s an elevation gain of 1,630 ft over the course of the trail. So it’s not incredibly steep, but it’s certainly enough to be noticeable. You will have uninterrupted views of the scenic beauty and plenty of gorgeous lakes. This trail is so popular that it’s in the top ten in the country. So you can expect it to be busy, but you won’t have to worry about the trail being rough and overgrown!

“Hiking the Beehive Basin Trail was the highlight of my trip to Big Sky.  It comes as no surprise to me that this trail is ranked in the top ten greatest hikes in the United States.  While it was challenging, everyone in our group of novice hikers was able to complete journey.  The unparalleled views from Big Sky Valley and Lone Peak were the payoff of the long hike.” - Yelp Review

Summit Lake Trail

The Summit Lake Trail is another incredible trail that is in the Big Sky area. However, this trail is much more difficult than the other two. It’s almost 16 hours round trip, so you can expect it to take you all day at the least. This trail is very popular for hiking, backpacking, and even camping. Since the trail is so long you can nicely break it up into two shorter days of hiking with a nice relaxing night of camping in between.

5 - Beehive Basin Brewery

The Best Place In Big Sky to Get An Authentic Montana Craft Beer

245 Town Center Ave | Big Sky | www.beehivebasinbrewery.com

If nothing else on the list today has stood out to you then maybe a nice night of relaxing with some high quality authentic craft Montana beer at the Beehive Basin Brewery will interest you. They opened their doors in 2015 and in the years since then they have become a favorite of both locals and travelers alike. And it’s easy to see why. They have an ever changing line up of all different types of beers. And if you try one that you really love I highly recommend you grab yourself a growler full of it to take with you. Because there’s a good chance it might not be there next time. But even if it’s not, they have so many incredible choices that it would be hard for you to go wrong with any of their fantastic options. And hey after a day in the sun hiking, rafting, fishing, or backpacking there isn’t too much better than cooling off with a nice draft beer in a cold glass.

“Love this brewery! Friendly staff, great beer choices and a wonderful atmosphere! We have come after hiking and it is just perfect! I am a fan of the Bourbon Barrel Stout...it is not for the faint of heart!” - Yelp Review 

And there you have my list of great things to do in Big Sky Montana in the summer season. I hope something on the list today caught your eye because there really is a huge myriad of different options you can go with. And if you’re looking to plan a whole trip to Big Sky this summer be sure to check out our other lists on great restaurants in the area as well as a full list on the best lodging and Airbnbs you can find in the area!