Round Trip Mileage:
1-2.5
Difficulty:easy
Parking:Two parking lots off of Fowler Ave.
Seasons:The trail is a gravel path so may be muddy in fall and spring. It is heavily used so it should be safe in the winter.
Amenities:There are benches around the pond. There is also a fenced off-leash dog area for swimming. There is an off-leash dog park on the northside of the park expansion. The park also has picnic tables and pavilions near pond. The pond has a fishing dock and climbing boulder. There are public restrooms on both the north and south sides of the park.
Dogs Allowed Off-leash:Yes
The 12-acres to the north of Bozeman Pond Park were up for sale, and GVLT had to act quickly. We had identified the area as ideal open space for Bozeman’s fast-growing west side, but the property was slated for high-density development, and the owners would consider nothing less than full market value. When we learned that HAVEN was interested in a smaller portion of the property for Domestic Violence Community Campus, we knew we could facilitate a deal that would help many members of the community at once. As bidding on the property heated up, we secured a last-minute loan from The Conservation Fund that allowed us to put in the winning offer.
We sold three acres to HAVEN; the rest we sold to the City, with the stipulation that it be used to expand Bozeman Pond Park. But we didn’t stop there: we raised funds to create a fenced dog area, build trails that also serve as a Safe Route to School, and install a natural playground perfectly situated for children staying at the Haven campus to enjoy. Bozeman Pond is now one of the west side’s open space anchors, where kids can learn to fish at the trout-stocked pond, dogs can run off-leash, and families can picnic and play.
Dogs only allowed off-leash in designated off-leash areas.