rwhitlock3 said:
My wife and I are headed flying to Bozeman for a week in mid-October for her birthday and bringing our 2.5 year old daughter. We have flights booked but that is it. Any recommendations on places to stay, things to do, etc would be appreciated.
We definitely plan on doing some easy-to-medium level hikes.
Thanks in advance!
October can be an incredible time. You will likely have bits of chilly weather, but daytime temps can be perfect unless winter weather rolls in.
I would recommend a couple of nights in Bozeman. The Hyalite area just south of town is a great hiking area with several waterfalls, including Palisade, which is paved. Also Bozeman itself is a cool town with a great downtown to explore if you've never been there.
Check on timing of hotel closures. If park lodging is open I would recommend going that route, as it makes exploring the park so much easier. If you stay outside the park, stay in one of the gateway areas…Paradise Valley or West Yellowstone. I personally would strongly recommend somewhere in Paradise Valley, as it's a beautiful area and you have easy access to Livingston and Gardiner, which are both great towns. Check out Chico Hot Springs Resort, which is a fixture of the area, and a lot of fun.
If Pine Creek Lake isn't snowed over by that time, it is probably the most beautiful hike in the Bozeman/Livingston area (located in Paradise Valley). It is more strenuous but the glacial lake at the top is spectacular.