FEATURED TRAIL
Sourdough Trail
Description
Sourdough Trail is a favorite for people who live on the south side of Bozeman. Bird watchers, dog walkers, and bikers all love this trail because it offers so much variety. The trail follows Bozeman Creek as it flows into town and weaves in and out of tree-shaded areas and open fields. There are a number of great spots to stop and stick your toes in the water. The trail passes through Graf Park, Gardner Park, and Tuckerman Park, offering great connectivity to the area’s open spaces. Please note this is a different trail than the nearby Sourdough Canyon/Bozeman Creek Trail.
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🟢 Easy
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3.2 miles round trip
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Gravel path
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Walking, hiking, running, biking
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The trail may be muddy in the fall and spring.
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There is a parking lot off Goldenstein Lane at Tuckerman Park at the trail’s south end. Additional parking is available at Gardner Park off Gardner Park Drive, near the trail’s mid-point.
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Allowed on-leash
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There are numerous benches along the trail and a picnic table about a half mile north of Tuckerman Park.
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The gravel parking lot does not have dedicated accessible parking. The trail surface is four feet wide and compacted gravel, making it suitable for most wheelchairs and assistive devices.
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Call Bozeman Parks and Recreation at 406-582-2290.
Trail History
In 1979, Bozeman’s Noon Rotary Club built the first section of the Sourdough Trail. In the following years, Bozeman’s two Rotary Clubs generously donated funds for trail enhancements and also volunteered their time to complete drainage and brush-clearing work.
In 1994, the community crusaded to purchase the area now known as Tuckerman Park from a residential developer. Spearheaded by Lisa and Russ Tuckerman, the project aimed to help the City of Bozeman acquire a 10-acre buffer between Sourdough Trail and the Sundance Springs residential subdivision. A generous donation from the Tuckermans, a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, funding from Gallatin County and the City of Bozeman, and the support of 449 residents and businesses contributed to the purchase of the 10-acre property. Tuckerman Park opened to the public in 2001. Decades later, Tuckerman Park is a popular recreation site for hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing, and the occasional performance art piece. The trail serves as a wildlife corridor that protects both Sourdough Creek and Nash Spring Creek, and it provides a safe route for young students commuting to and from Sacajawea Middle School. Artists, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyone in between can enjoy this special place and its access to Sourdough Trail.