Secret Montana Swim Holes

From a Born-and-Raised Local 😉

Alright, I’ll be honest — I debated even writing this. Born and raised here, I grew up swimming in these spots long before anyone was hash tagging their river floats or bringing oat milk lattes to the trailhead. I know these spots like the back of my sunburnt Montana neck. But full disclosure: if anyone asks, you never read this. 👀

First thing's first, let's complete your swim kit.

Your Official Bozeman Swim Survival Kit:

✅ Turkey Sandwich from Wild Crumb

✅ Iced coffee from Rockford

✅ Paperback from Country Bookshelf

✅ Swims with the Fishes gear from Intrigue Ink

✅ Your favorite pair of Goodr Sunglasses

✅ A waterproof bag

Now... let's go swimming!

Stop 1: The In-Town (But Mentally Out-Of-Town) Gem 💎 

Still technically Bozeman, but it feels like you hit a portal to the woods. Start by heading north on [REDACTED] Avenue until you reach the weird fork by the slanted speed limit sign. Take the gravel pull-off that sort it looks like private property (it isn’t, chill). Park near the green utility box by the cottonwoods. Walk about 50 yards down a faint trail that cuts between the chokecherry bushes, and you’ll stumble into a spring-fed swimming hole—cool, shaded, and criminally underrated. You might even catch a local deer taking its own version of a spa day.

Stop 2: The Bikeable Rope Swing (Don't Bring Your Mom) 🚴

Leave downtown Bozeman with your iced coffee from Rockford Coffee Roasters — (you already knew that) and hop on your bike. Head south toward [REDACTED] Trail — yes, the one with the sketchy metal bridge everyone photoshoots on. Ride about 2.3 miles until you spot a random dirt pull-off before the third cattle gate (count carefully). Ditch your bike by the cottonwood with the busted birdhouse nailed to it. Short hike, small scramble, and there it is: a pond with a rope swing that’s been repaired every summer by teenagers who fear no consequences. There will be yelling. There will be cannonballs. You will not want your mom witnessing any of it.

Stop 3: The Edge-of-Town Lagoon (A.K.A. Dog Paradise) 🐶 

This one feels like you’re still in town... barely. Head toward [REDACTED] Road on the edge of city limits. Watch for a wide shoulder pull-off near mile marker [REDACTED]. Park there. There’s no trail — bushwhack gently through the tall grasses and you’ll hit a small hidden lagoon with a perfect little pebble beach. It’s shallow enough for dogs, deep enough for floating. 

IYKYK. You’re welcome. 😉