yellowstonenationalpark – BookBigSky Blog

April 7, 2022November 13, 2023

2023 Big Sky Summer Events Calendar

Big Sky is an outdoor paradise with adventures for everyone. Spend your days exploring the majestic mountains while hiking, biking, ziplining, white water rafting, or horseback riding, among many more summer activities. Our summer events include live outdoor music, festivals, bull riding, a summer farmers market, and lots more – so plan your magical mountain getaway so you can truly enjoy all that Big Sky has to offer.

15th ANNUAL BIG SKY FARMERS MARKET

The 2023 Big Sky Summer Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday from Fire Pit Park, down Town Center Avenue, and into the Town Center Plaza by the Wilson Hotel. The market features 90+ vendors including farmers with fresh produce, professional artists, entrepreneurs, and so much more! Come out and support our local community this summer at the Big Sky Farmers Market.

DATE: Wednesdays – June 7 to September 28, 2023

LOCATION: Big Sky Town Center, 33 Lone Peak Drive, Big Sky

TIME: 5 PM to 8 PM

ADMISSION: FREE!

16th ANNUAL MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS

For more than a decade, Music in the Mountains has been Montana’s finest free outdoor concert series, featuring the best up-and-coming touring musicians as well as established, well-known, and well-loved artists from across the country. The festival also includes the Bravo! Big Sky Music Festival, and a free performance from Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.

DATE: Thursdays – June 22 to September 7, 2023

BONUS DATE: Tuesday, July 4, 2023

LOCATION: Big Sky Town Center, 33 Lone Peak Drive, Big Sky

TIME: Park opens at 6 PM and music starts at 7 PM

ADMISSION: FREE!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: YES!

2023 Music Line Up: For a full guide to Music in the Mountains 2023, click HERE!

SAVOR BIG SKY – Food, Wine + Spirits Festival

The Savor Big Sky Festival is a weekend-long celebration of food, wine, spirits, and the stunning landscapes of Big Sky, Montana. Indulge in fine dining, wine, and spirit tastings, live music, and epic outdoor adventures in the Montana mountains. Savor Big Sky is the ultimate adventure weekend for foodies.

DATE: June 29 to July 2, 2023

LOCATION: Various locations at Big Sky Resort

TICKETS: Buy tickets HERE!

2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, June 29

Better Off Red Farm-to-Table Dinner | 6 PM to 9 PM | $275

Music in the Mountains | 6 PM to 9 PM | Free

Friday, June 30

Andesite Hike & Lunch at Everett’s 8800 | 10 AM to 1:30 PM | $129

Rose All Day Seminar at Everett’s 8800 | 1 PM to 2:30 PM | $65

Italian Wine Seminar | 1 PM to 2:30 PM | $65

Savor Big Sky Welcome Party | 6 PM to 9 PM | $99

Scoops + Spirits | 7 PM to 10 PM | $45

Saturday, July 1

Brunch Bites + Big Sights at Everett’s 8800 | 10 AM to 12 PM | $99

Trailhead Tastings | 11 AM to 2 PM | $129

West Coast Wine Seminar | 1 PM to 2 PM | $65

First Sip – Savor Big Sky Grand Tasting | 2 PM to 2:30 PM | $149

Savor Big Sky Grand Tasting | 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM | $125

Savor Sunset Afterparty | 5:30 PM to 8 PM | FREE

Sunday, July 2

Bubbles & Brunch | 11 AM to 1 PM | $89

BIG SKY PBR

Big Sky PBR has grown into “Big Sky’s Biggest Week” – a week of community events including three nights of action-packed Touring Pro Division PBR bull riding, fundraisers, vendor village, and more. It’s a great week to book a trip to Big Sky but tickets sell out first! Reserve your PBR tickets and Big Sky lodging soon.

DATE: July 20 to July 22, 2023

LOCATION: Big Sky Town Center, 33 Lone Peak Drive, Big Sky

ADMISSION: SOLD OUT – Join the waitlist for tickets!

2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, July 20

Bull Riding Night 1 | 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Music in the Mountains | 8 PM

Saturday, July 21

Bull Riding Night 2 | 6:30 PM to 9 PM

Friday Night After Party | 9:15 PM

Sunday, July 22

Bull Riding Night 3 | 6:30 PM to 9 PM

Saturday Night After Party | 9:15 PM

BIG SKY ARTISAN FESTIVAL

Big Sky’s biggest week also includes the Big Sky Artisan Festival at Big Sky Town Center. The festival is a true celebration of local arts and crafts featuring a wide variety of stunning artwork and one-of-a-kind souvenirs to take home with local food and drink vendors to make a day of it!

DATE: July 22, 2023

LOCATION: Big Sky Town Center, 33 Lone Peak Drive, Big Sky

TIME: 9 AM to 5 PM

ADMISSION: FREE!

FREE ADMISSION TO YELLOWSTONE

DATE: Upcoming Free Days – August 4, September 23, November 11, 2023

Come celebrate 150+ years of Yellowstone National Park! National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite. On five days in 2023, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.

2nd ANNUAL WILDLANDS FESTIVAL

The Wildlands Festival, produced by Outlaw Partners, returns for a second year to celebrate music in the wide open spaces of Montana. The festival features a two-night line-up of iconic artists and food and drink vendors, come rain or shine. Relive Wildlands Festival 2022 HERE.

DATE: August 4 to August 5, 2023

LOCATION: Big Sky Town Center, 33 Lone Peak Drive, Big Sky

TIME: Gates open at 5 PM, opening acts at 5:30 PM, headliners at 8:45 PM

ADMISSION: Tickets on sale soon!

Bleacher Seating – From $150

Floor Standing Room – From $200

2-Night Pass – From $450

VIP Tickets – From $500

Champion of Conservation VIP Pass – $5,000 (50% to Wildlands non-profits)

2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: The artist lineup for the Wildlands Festival happening August 4-6, 2023 is coming soon!

BIG MOUNTAIN ENDURO

Come ride the big, steep, and technical terrain at Big Sky Resort this summer! Big Sky Resort boasts over 40 miles of terrain dedicated to mountain biking with lift-serviced trails for all levels and connector trails down to Big Sky Town Center. The Big Mountain Enduro is one of North America’s premier Enduro tours with the 2023 finals being held in Big Sky.

DATE: August 5 to August 6, 2023

LOCATION: Big Sky Resort

REGISTRATION: Register HERE!

BIG SKY RESORT SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Big Sky is a home base for mountain travelers in search of adventure and exhilaration, scenic views, wellness and relaxation, guided hikes, and more. Take advantage of the many activities and experiences that make Big Sky an ideal summer destination.

SUMMER 2023 OPENING DATE

Big Sky Golf Course – May 19 to October 1, 2023

Resort Activities – June 10 to September 17, 2023

Find the best lodging in Big Sky with Big Sky Vacation Rentals. Our selection of 120+ Big Sky properties includes rentals near the summer events in Big Sky Resort and Big Sky Town Center, or set away from the crowds on the slopes of Big Sky! Take a tour of the Big Sky neighborhoods or call our vacation planners at (888) 915-2787 to get started on the trip of a lifetime to Big Sky, MT.

March 3, 2022October 10, 2022

Yellowstone National Park Celebrates its 150th Birthday

March 1st marked the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park, America’s first National Park and one of the top visited parks in the country!

Yellowstone National Park spans over 2 million acres and is home to historic & cultural sites, over 1,100 miles of trails with boardwalks, hidden waterfalls and unique scenery, an abundance of free-roaming wildlife, and over 10,000 hydrothermal sites.

More than half the geothermal features in the world are found in Yellowstone – world-famous geysers, mud pots, natural hot springs, steaming fumaroles, and stunning travertine terraces – and one of the world’s largest volcanos, the Yellowstone Supervolcano lies beneath the surface of Yellowstone fueling many of the hydrothermal features and natural wonders throughout the park.

The History of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Parks boasts not only natural beauty and iconic landmarks, but a deep history dating back thousands of years. On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law, preserving over 2 million acres of wilderness and building a foundation to protect and preserve our natural and cultural treasures for the future.

The human history of the Yellowstone region is also well preserved with historical records documenting thousands of Native American tribes in the area as far back as 11,000 years. Today, the National Park Service recognizes 27 tribes with ties to the Yellowstone Region, and there are now over 63 US National Parks preserving more than 80 million acres of US history.

Top Attractions to Visit at Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park had its busiest year on record in 2021, with a record-breaking 4.9 million visitors to the park – over 1 million visitors entering Yellowstone in July alone!

If you’re looking to escape the crowds, the spring season in Yellowstone offers visitors a unique experience. Wildlife abounds as Yellowstone’s residents emerge from hibernation, tiny offspring stumble through the alpine meadows and grass prairies, waterfalls and rivers flow at their finest with spring melt and there’s a breath of new life at every scenic turn. This is all before you’ve even spotted a hydrothermal feature or famous Yellowstone attraction!

Big Sky is only a 1-hour scenic drive to the West Entrance of Yellowstone and a guided Yellowstone tour is by far the best way to experience Yellowstone’s top attractions and learn the history of the area. If you’re planning a self-guided tour of Yellowstone, here are the top attractions to add to your day trip itinerary as not all Yellowstone attractions are open in early spring.

LOWER LOOP

Firehole River Swimming Area, Fountain Paint Pots – Lower Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring – Midway Geyser Basin, Old Faithful & Old Faithful Inn – Upper Geyser Basin, Artists Paint Pots – Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley for wildlife viewing, Yellowstone Lake & Lake Hotel.

UPPER LOOP

The Upper Loop covers the northern section of the park. Upper Loop attractions include the fumaroles at Roaring Mountain, Mammoth Hot Springs travertine terraces, spectacular wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley, and Yellowstone’s 20-mile long Grand Canyon.

WILDLIFE VIEWING

Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states, with 67 species of mammals including black bears & big grizzlies – wolves, lynx & coyotes – mule deer & white tail deer – moose, elk, pronghorn antelope & the biggest population of bison on US public land. Yellowstone is the only known destination in the US where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times and is well-known for its bison jams! Keep your distance, males can weigh up to 2,000 pounds and can run at up to 35mph!

Whether you’re seeking a luxury Yellowstone experience with a private tour guide, hiking adventures in the wilderness, a bucket-list wildlife safari of Yellowstone, or a comfortable coach tour for your whole group – you’ll find the ultimate tour of Yellowstone National Park departing right here in Big Sky!

National Parks Free Entrance Days 2022

All National Parks that charge entrance offer FREE admission on select dates throughout the year. The summer opening date for the West Entrance to Yellowstone is April 15th, 2022, and April 16th marks the first day of the presidentially proclaimed National Park Week!

If spring is too soon, you can enjoy the park later in the year as admission to Yellowstone is also free on August 4th (Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act), September 24th (National Public Lands Day), and later in the fall season on November 11th, 2022 (Veterans Day).

Big Sky – Your Basecamp to Yellowstone National Park

Big Sky is an idyllic base camp for all your Yellowstone National Park adventures! Our selection of luxury condos, cabins & homes range from cozy hot tub retreats for just the two of you, to modern mountain lodges with platinum perks and luxury amenities for the whole crew.

Celebrating the birthday of America’s first National Park is easy with Big Sky Vacation Rentals! Find your dream home in the Montana mountains, download our Big Sky Vacation Guide to start planning your vacation, read our local tips to a memorable Big Sky vacation, and experience the best of Yellowstone National Park from your beautiful home away from home in Big Sky, MT.

August 8, 2021August 23, 2023

Best Things To Do In Yellowstone In The Fall

Yellowstone National Park is one of the top most visited and one of the most beloved parks in the USA. Yellowstone even broke records and set new visitor highs this summer! While the summertime brings in the most visitors to the area, locals know that autumn is Yellowstone’s better and quieter season. With thinning crowds, bright sunny days, cool crisp air and a vibrant display of golden aspens, these gorgeous times make for some of the best days the park sees all year. Read on to learn about our tips for visiting the park this fall.

1. Fall Foliage Hikes in Yellowstone

Prime time for fall foliage in Yellowstone is from mid-September in the higher elevations above 7,000 feet through to mid-October in the lower valleys. The best way to see the autumn glow is on one of the many Yellowstone National Park hikes with ample leaf-peeping opportunities, wildlife viewing and panoramic vistas. The Bunsen Peak Trail south of Mammoth Hot Springs boasts 360-degree views of the Gallatin Mountains and Yellowstone River Valley. Safety first!

Local’s Tip: Be sure to carry bear spray at all times and know how to use it!

2. Autumn Fishing in Yellowstone

Fishing in Yellowstone during the autumn months offers some of the best fly fishing and the potential for the perfect catch. The brown trout spawn between late-October and mid-November, perfectly timed with Yellowstone’s fall foliage season. The Madison River near the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park and the Gardner River near Mammoth Hot Springs are prime spots for fall fishing in Yellowstone.

3. Check Out Yellowstone’s Geological Wonders

More than half the world’s hydrothermal features (more than 10,000!) are preserved at Yellowstone National Park from hot springs and mud pots to the world-famous geysers. “Geyser Gazers” flock to Yellowstone throughout the year to view these geological wonders. Top geysers easily accessible on a day trip to Yellowstone from Big Sky include the spectacular Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful to the south and Artists Paintpots, Norris Geyser and the terraces and thermal pools of Mammoth Hot Springs up north.

4. Wildlife Viewing

Fall is the best time to see the Iconic Yellowstone wildlife, with best viewing times at dawn and dusk. Herds of elk and humpbacked bison migrate from higher elevations to the valleys for winter grazing, bears forage for food in preparation for winter hibernation and the hawks and raptors begin their annual fall migration (best seen in the Hayden Valley). Mid-September to mid-June is prime time for wolf watching in Yellowstone and the musical bugle of the elk during rutting (breeding) season can be heard from September and often as late as mid-October (best seen at Mammoth Hot Springs). Safety first! Stay well away from wildlife as the park suggests 100 years from bears and wolves, 25 yards from all other animals.

5. Don’t Forget: Check the Weather & Road Closures

The autumn weather in Yellowstone can be highly unpredictable and snow can begin to accumulate as early as October in the higher elevations! Be prepared to experience a wide range of temperatures from cool lows of 20 F to highs in the 60’s.

Many of Yellowstone’s restaurants, services and lodging facilities close by mid-October, however the roads remain open until November 8th for guided and self-drive tours of Yellowstone. Always check for seasonal road closures when planning an autumn trip to Yellowstone.

Big Sky Vacation Rentals offer a premier portfolio of vacation rentals near Yellowstone, an easy drive from the west entrance on Highway 191, and our local team are ready to help you choose the perfect home-away-from-home and best tour of Yellowstone National Park for a memorable autumn escape and fall-foliage trip to Yellowstone National Park.

VIEW ALL BIG SKY VACATION RENTALS