Round Trip Mileage:
1-6+
Difficulty:moderate
Parking:Parking lot on Sourdough Canyon Rd., off of Nash Rd.
Seasons:Trail is groomed in the winter for cross-country skiing by Bridger Ski Foundation. Trail is gravel path so may also be muddy in fall and spring.
Amenities:The trail is wide for strollers and groups. There is a vault toilet in parking lot. The stream is not far up from trailhead, a great spot for kids to stick their toes in. This trail is an out and back so it is good for a short walk, or a long hike.
Dogs Allowed Off-leash:Yes
Sourdough Creek is the source of 40% of Bozeman’s drinking water. Runners, bikers, hikers, and skiers – especially those that bring dogs along on their adventures – must tread carefully on the heavily-used Sourdough Canyon trail.
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 the Gallatin National Forest.