If These Trails Could Talk

Bozeman’s world-class Main Street to the Mountains trail system was born in 1993, when Gallatin Valley Land Trust founder Chris Boyd helped negotiate the purchase for Burke Park (Peets Hill).

Every section of Bozeman’s local trail system has a unique story to tell. If only the trails could talk!

Now, thanks to a group of students from Montana State University’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Capstone course, these stories of partnership and perseverance come to life in an interactive format. You can now explore GVLT’s major trail milestones in our Trails Project History StoryMap.

Did you know?

• Peets Hill was our first trail project—sitting on land originally proposed for 600+ homes in 1892.

• Story Mill Spur Trail follows the historic rail line built in the 1880s to serve former Bozeman Mayor Nelson Story’s flour mill.

• Drinking Horse Mountain Trail took eight years of planning, funding, and construction to establish.

• Sourdough Canyon Trailhead sits on land that GVLT owned before donating it to the Custer-Gallatin National Forest.

Unlocking the Archives

For many years, GVLT staff members have carefully preserved these stories (and many more!) in old news clippings, newsletters, and reports in our file cabinets. But they are too good to stay tucked away.

“This is something we’ve long wanted to do,” explains Adam Johnson, GVLT Trails Program Manager. “We want to share the role GVLT has played in bringing the trails to the community and how we’ve partnered with the City of Bozeman and many other community organizations to continue to expand public access to trails in Gallatin County.”

Take a Scroll Down Memory Lane

As you scroll through the new interactive StoryMap, you’ll learn how the dream of building trails from downtown to the mountains has been realized. Today, the Main Street to the Mountains trail system totals nearly 100 miles—including routes from downtown Bozeman south to the Gallatin Range and north to the Bridgers. You’ll also discover GVLT’s original logo, an early trail map, and other interesting artifacts.

When asked what people love most about living in Bozeman, trails almost always top the list. These stories are a reminder that our world-class trail network wouldn’t exist without creative vision, patience, persistence, and strong community partnerships.

And the story is far from over. At GVLT, we are guided by a vision:

In 30 years, every person in the greater Bozeman area will live within a 10-minute walk of a safe, connected trail system.

So, we hope you enjoy exploring these stories and join us in creating new chapters. Happy Trails!