Scenic Drives in Montana: The Best Routes From Belgrade
Written by Erin Hoppe Updated on 09/16/2026
Key Takeaways
- Gallatin Canyon (US-191) follows the Gallatin River from Belgrade toward Big Sky, with pullouts to take in the gorgeous river and mountain scenery around almost every bend.
- Paradise Valley (US-89) is a 53-mile stretch of ranchland, river, and mountain views between Livingston and Gardiner, and it was the original route into Yellowstone.
- The Ennis and Virginia City loop pairs the rolling hills and mountains of Madison Valley's fly-fishing scenery with an 1863 gold rush town frozen in time.
- Bridger Canyon Road climbs past Bridger Bowl before dropping into the Shields Valley on the way to Clyde Park.
- Every route on this list starts within a half hour of Belgrade, making it an easy, affordable home base for a slow day behind the wheel.
Some of the best days in Montana don't involve a trailhead at all. Grab your morning coffee, roll the windows down, pick a direction, and let the drive be the destination. Belgrade's location puts you close to four of the region's best scenic routes, each one worth a tank of gas and an afternoon.
Gallatin Canyon: Belgrade to Big Sky (and Beyond)
Heading south on US-191, the road narrows into Gallatin Canyon and starts tracking the Gallatin River almost the whole way. Steep, forested canyon walls press in close on both sides, with rocky outcrops and peaks like Storm Castle Peak jutting up above the treeline as the river churns through the tight corridor below. Numerous pullouts make it easy to stop, stretch your legs, and watch the water for a few minutes.
Movie buffs will recognize the water, too. Many of the fly-fishing scenes in A River Runs Through It were filmed right here on the Gallatin, not on the Blackfoot River the story is actually set on. This isn’t surprising — the Gallatin River is one of the best places to go fly fishing in Montana!
The canyon carries you toward Big Sky, about an hour from Belgrade, and continues on to West Yellowstone if you want to turn the drive into a full day. Traffic moves slower here than on the highway, which is part of the appeal — there's no reason to rush a road this pretty.
While this is also one of the best winter day trips from Belgrade, this road can get icy, so drive slow if you’re visiting during this season.
Paradise Valley: Livingston to Gardiner
From Belgrade, it's a short hop over Bozeman Pass to Livingston, about 35 minutes away. The pass itself is gorgeous — picture rolling, grassy hills dotted with picturesque cabins, making it an especially pretty summer day trip. If you have time, stop and walk around Livingston, a historic, beautiful town full of shops, art galleries, and restaurants.
From there, US-89 turns south into Paradise Valley, a 53-mile run between the Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges with the Yellowstone River running alongside. Massive peaks tower over the Yellowstone River, lined with cottonwoods and pullouts where you can stop to take in the scenery.
The road ends at Gardiner and Yellowstone's North Entrance, making this an easy add-on if you're already headed toward the park.
Ennis and Virginia City: A Madison Valley Loop
West of Belgrade, the drive out to Ennis and Virginia City trades river canyon for wide-open valley views. Ennis sits along the Madison River, roughly an hour from Belgrade, and is worth a stop on its own for fly fishing and a walk down Main Street.
Push on another 15 miles or so and you'll reach Virginia City and Nevada City, two side-by-side towns from Montana's gold rush era. Original wooden boardwalks, working saloons, and a narrow-gauge steam train connecting the two towns make this stretch feel more like a step back in time than a highway drive.
If you’re interested in history, this is one of the best things to do in Montana!
Bridger Canyon to Wilsall: Through the Bridgers
Montana Highway 86, better known as Bridger Canyon Road, runs about 38 miles from Bozeman behind the northern side of the Bridger Range before hitting the small town of Wilsall. The route climbs past Bridger Bowl Ski Area, with the Bridgers rising on one side and, eventually, the Crazy Mountains coming into view ahead. The road parallels several creeks and rivers and even passes by a historic one-room schoolhouse, Lower Bridger School.
On your way back, you can retrace your route and hit a local hike like Brackett Creek Trail or the difficult (but rewarding) Sacagawea Peak, or continue on to Livingston and return to Belgrade via I-90 for a loop instead of a there-and-back.
Hyalite Canyon Road in Bozeman
If you'd rather keep things short, the drive up Hyalite Canyon south of Bozeman is done in well under an hour round trip and still delivers big scenery. The paved road follows Hyalite Creek up to Hyalite Reservoir, with mountain views the whole way and an easy, paved trail to Palisade Falls if you want to get out of the car for a bit.
This road is plowed intermittently throughout winter, so make sure you’re comfortable driving in snowy conditions if you’re visiting during the colder months. Keep in mind this road is also closed to cars (but open to cyclists and pedestrians) from April 1 - May 15 every year.
Make Belgrade Your Base for the Drive
Every route above starts within about 30 minutes of Belgrade, and with affordable lodging and easy highway access, it's a comfortable place to land after a long day of driving. Book a stay at one of Belgrade's hotels and pick your route!
Meet Erin Hoppe
As Executive Director of the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, I’m honored to help support and celebrate our local businesses and community. I’ve been part of the Chamber for nearly six years, working in membership and events before stepping into this role in March 2025. Born and raised in Montana, I’ve called Belgrade home since 2005. When I’m not at the Chamber, I enjoy visiting our parks, shopping, grabbing a coffee at a local shop, and watching my kids’ sports over the years. My family and I are proud supporters of our schools, Panther athletics, and the many local programs that make Belgrade special.