FEATURED TRAIL
Sourdough Canyon / Bozeman Creek Trail
Description
This wide out-and-back trail follows Bozeman Creek, the source of Bozeman’s delicious drinking water. Runners, bikers, hikers, and Nordic skiers enjoy the forested path and views of the Gallatin Mountains. The creek, not far up from the trailhead, is a great spot for kids to stick their toes in. Ambitious recreators can continue as far as Mystic Lake, nearly 10 miles from the trailhead, or connect to hundreds of miles of trails in Custer Gallatin National Forest. Sourdough Canyon trail receives heavy use—please respect this precious water source and the area’s abundant wildlife, especially if you bring your dog along on your adventure.
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🟦 Moderate
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20+ miles of available trail
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Wide gravel and natural surface path (disused logging road)
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Walking, running, biking, Nordic skiing
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The trail is groomed in the winter for cross-country skiing by Bridger Ski Foundation. It can be muddy in the fall and spring.
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The parking lot is on Sourdough Canyon Road, which is off Nash Road south of Bozeman.
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Allowed off-leash
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The trail is wide enough for strollers and groups. There is a vault toilet in the parking lot.
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The gravel parking lot has dedicated accessible parking spaces. The trail is an eight-foot-wide roadbed with a mix of compacted natural and gravel surfaces.
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Call Custer Gallatin National Forest, Bozeman Ranger District at 406-522-2520.
Trail History
In 2007, when a local landowner donated five acres at the trailhead to GVLT, safety and water quality were our first priorities. To improve safety and recreational access, we worked with neighboring landowners to straighten out the access road and triple the available parking. To protect the creek’s pristine water quality, we spearheaded the addition of a toilet and planted a vegetative buffer between the parking lot and the creek. We also added special signage reminding dog owners to protect our drinking water by using the bear-proof dog-waste station at the trailhead gate. Once our work was done, we donated all five acres—plus the new amenities—to our friends and collaborators at Custer Gallatin National Forest.