Round Trip Mileage:
1-3
Difficulty:easy
Parking:Parking lot off of Manley Rd.
Seasons:Can be icy in the winter. Gravel path so may also be muddy in fall and spring.
Amenities:There is a beach at the pond which is great for families. The recreation area has public bathrooms, a climbing boulder, volleyball courts, picnic tables, and pavilions. The trail loops around pond and then weaves around the East Gallatin River just to the north.
Dogs Allowed Off-leash:No
When you think of Montana, paddle boarding and beach volleyball are not the first things that come to mind. But the East Gallatin Recreation Area provides Bozeman’s own brand of sandy paradise. On hot summer days, visitors can play on the beach, swim in the lake or take a shady stroll down to the banks of the East Gallatin — the blue-ribbon trout fishery right on our doorstep — on three miles of GVLT-built trails. Thanks to GVLT’s efforts to connect the Recreation Area to nearby trails, the adventure doesn’t stop there: hikers and fishing enthusiasts can head west to Cherry River, circle back to boulder on the climbing rock, then stop in at MAP Brewing to enjoy food, drink, and a terrific lakeshore view.