Spring 2026

Contest submissions for Spring 2026. It doesn’t matter if you’re born here, pass through on vacation, or move in from New York City—when the Big Sky gets in your bones, there’s no stopping it. You’ll do things you…

The raven’s shared journey with humankind. Since that first cargo of belongings was dragged by hand across some ancient plain, traveling humans have been confounded by the overhead croaks and mocking chortles of circling…

Reflection and solitude on the American Prairie. Setting out across the landscape from the Lewis & Clark Hut, Simon calls out, “The Mighty Mo!” We are on the westernmost property of American Prairie—often referred to…

Smell and high water on the Yellowstone River. The call from Travis came in May: “It’s on.” “It” being the mighty, undammed Yellowstone, and “on” meaning it hadn’t yet climbed to a dangerously high level of runoff.…

How Steve White—outdoorsman, adventurer, businessman, and civil servant—has helped shape the Gallatin Valley, in both seen and unseen ways. Bozeman has its share of notable outdoorsmen. Many have been featured in this…

A day to remember in Yellowstone Park. I’m not going to make it, I thought, struggling to keep my frozen legs moving. The only thing giving me hope was the bike tire in front of me, carving a narrow path through the snow.…

One boater’s proposal to open whitewater kayaking in Yellowstone. Rivers in Yellowstone National Park are not open to whitewater recreation—and that restriction may be doing more harm than good. Boating on the Park’s…

Making the most of leftover ground meat. Do you have a freezer full of random packs of frozen game meat? I know I do, and I’m not even a hunter. But I have generous friends, and I prioritize eating sustainably. So every…

Willows by Jack Jelinski The essence of spring can be found in giant willows whose roots seek depths of sweet-scented earth to siphon water from subterranean streams quickening their leafy embrace of the moon. Go and sit…

Considerations for a safe, self-contained campering system. Late at night, the sound of staccato raindrops on the metal roof sang me to sleep. Sometime before dawn the rain stopped and camp was quiet. With the windows…

A beginner’s guide to foraging morel mushrooms. In the last decade that I’ve spent in the Rocky Mountains, I’ve come to love spring—the feeling of laying in wet musky grass surrounded by wildflowers, the tacky texture of…

Spring road running close to home. It’s a familiar scene—an overzealous runner heads for the hills in April, only to be turned around by impassable puddles and forced to dig the hose out of winter storage to spray the now-…

A spring road ride through the Bangtails. Spring biking often gives the rider a choice: mud bogging or gumbo sliding. Shifting through the gears when the rear derailleur is plugged with mud is maddening. There’s a time…

A new sportsmen’s group breaks ground. It looks like a scene from the movie Holes: a half-dozen young men, dressed in t-shirts and dirty pants, bent over their shovels, grunting & sweating in the heat of a late-spring…

Protecting our wild neighbors. One morning in early May, I pulled out of my driveway and into the alley, but I didn’t make it far. Blocking the lane was our garbage can, tipped on its side and spilled of its guts—a week’s…

Capturing the season's ever-changing essence. For those of us who’ve lived here “forever,” we know it’s not yet time to resign our winter clothes into the far reaches of the closet. Nope, spring is “flighty as a feather in…

Safer chew-toys for dogs. Bozeman is a wonderful place to live if you’re a dog—or a dog owner. Whether you’re hiking, camping, swimming, or using the many parks and green spaces around town, things are just more fun with a…

Mitigating risk for homeowners. Gallatin County encompasses nearly 1.7 million acres, 64 percent of which of lies within the Wildland Urban Interface or WUI. Currently, that encompasses over 30,000 homes, most of which are…

The unwritten intricacies of river etiquette. Fishing etiquette isn’t a list of hard, fast rules—it’s the quiet code that keeps our waters enjoyable, tranquil, and safe for everyone who steps into them. Whether you’re…

The ins and outs of fishing a ubiquitous insect hatch. Reclined on a raft tethered to the bank of the Madison River, I was halfway through a ham sandwich when a single bug taking flight caught my eye. A brownish little…

Celestial mash-ups in the spring sky. Ah, spring! The schizophrenic season, at least in these parts. Daffodils one day, snow the next, and plenty of mud regardless. It’s a whimsical mash-up of winter and summer that…

Taking it slow this spring. Spring in Bozeman arrives quietly at first, and then all at once. The snowpack rots from the ground up, the sidewalks dry into grit, and people who’ve paced the house all winter decide it’s time…

An arts-and-crafts bonanza. For nearly 20 years, HandMADE Montana has given Bozeman a reliably creative weekend in the spring. An explosion of art takes over the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse for the semi-annual Bozeman MADE…

The many faces of Strava. Strava has become the modern trailhead bulletin board. People go so far as to joke, “If you don’t Strava it, did it even happen?” Social media has infiltrated the outdoor scene, providing us stats…

A history of infamous Gallatin Valley heists. The Gallatin Valley has always inspired ambition—and not all of it honorable. From land seizures to financial sleights of hand, southwest Montana’s past is stitched together…

A look at the last 21 years in the Bozone. For many Bozeman locals, 21 years is a lifetime; but for the Bozeman area in general, it’s been an era of development. High-speed eight-person chair? A term you couldn’t make up…

There’s a foul smell up Skunk Creek. It used to be so simple. For decades, Skunk Creek Road has been open to the public, providing invaluable access to National Forest land in the Bangtails—invaluable because like the…

A long-awaited bear encounter. In the several years since I’d moved to Montana and started walking in the woods, the only bear I’d seen was fleeing from the Bozeman police, crossing 11th on Koch. But I’d listened to plenty…

Does the vision match the experience?   Scouring the mountains for discarded antlers may seem silly, compared to mountain biking slickrock in the Utah desert or paddling raging spring rivers. But this increasingly popular…

A call for a better classroom. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy,…

Warmest in the lineup of Ibex layers, the Mammoth Full Zip Hoodie ($298) lives up to the brand’s namesake as a master of durability, agility, and adaptability in alpine terrain. Nuyarn technology provides exceptional…

The company is very clear about this: it’s not pepper spray. Nope, Repuls Defense Spray is a water-based irritant that won’t leave a lingering residue or burning eyeballs for hours on end, should you accidentally hit a…

Good music deserves a good speaker. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your beloved iPhone's speaker stinks—the sound quality is poor, and it ain't loud enough to overcome background noise. The good news is that the…

After contently carrying the same Bozeman-made laptop bag for more than a decade, I finally decided it was time for a change. Growing up in Maine, the choice felt obvious: the Flowfold Odyssey Crossbody 15L Tote. Rugged,…

When it comes to decompressing after a long, cold winter day outdoors, nothing beats cozying up in front of a fire in warm, dry clothes. My first choice is the Danner High-Pile Fleece Joggers from WildRye. With elastic…

In a mountain town, we treasure our dual-purpose apparel—who wants to go home and change after a great day in the woods or on the trail? Nope, it's straight to the bar, for a hearty meal and tasty beverage, and maybe a…

As a latecomer to the muck-boot game, I spent many a winter day with soggy feet. But to me, the dexterity of a normal boot made up for it—I wanted to be light on my feet, not clod-hop around like an overweight clown. But…

Whether I’m climbing, night hiking, camping, or traveling, having a reliable, lightweight headlamp is worth its weight in gold. The Petzl Swift LT is the perfect ultra-lightweight option. It fits in almost any pocket, and I…

If there’s one staple in my wardrobe, it’s a versatile pair of overalls—something that can be dressed up or down, layered under or over, and, most importantly, is easy to move in. The Emmett Overalls from WildRye are my new…

Mountain bikes are expensive—ain’t two ways around that—which is why I’m awfully particular about how I get my bike to and from the trailhead. Now, if I bend or break something out on the trail, then so be it. But if one of…

Some tents feel like coffins; the Dagger OSMO from NEMO isn’t one of them. Pop this thing up on a crisp evening and you’ll notice right away: space. It’s roomy enough for two full-size pads without elbow wars, and with the…

Conventional wisdom says that after a good rifle, quality optics are the second-most important element of a big-game hunter's kit. I would argue the opposite, that good glass takes the top slot: if you can't find the…

The crisp, clean air; steam rising off the water; great swaths of color all around—yep, fall is a fine time to launch the boat and cruise, watching wildlife and enjoying the last few days on the water before Old Man Winter…

Full disclosure: I'm a swinger. Been swinging since my first pickup. Nope, a fixed rack just doesn't cut it when you keep gear in a slide-out bed box. Not to mention cooking supper in the trusty ol' tailgate kitchen. Which…

At some point, carrying small items around in zip-locks gets old. A quality pouch is not only more convenient, but it keeps your stuff secure. Having become a bit of a purse aficionado, I came across the 5.11 Egor Pouch…

In some ways, it feels silly talking about “features” of a cooler. After all, a cooler is a big roto-molded piece of plastic, right? That’s what I thought, at least, until I tested out the Prospector 125 Quart Cooler from…

It’s no surprise that Hardy is top of the line for fishing gear. With over 150 years of honing their craft, they’ve mastered the art of fly fishing and translated that expertise into a line of rods and reels that are…

Autumn's here and the bears are hungry—and you, dear Montana hiker or hunter, bear a strong physiological resemblance to other large mammals that sit squarely on a grizzly's dinner menu. So do yourself a favor and stock up…

After years of lustful onlooking, I finally bit the bullet and took up mountain biking. At first, I believed that all I’d need was a bike & a helmet. Boy was I wrong, and soon I'd amassed a litany of stuff—tools, tubes…

"On your left!" If you're sick of screaming that over and over as you pedal down our pedestrian-laden trails, often getting dirty looks because your tone wasn't just right, then you need a bike bell—it's a more effective,…

Selena Harness As a climbing rookie, having a comfortable, easy-to-move-in harness is non-negotiable. That's why I chose the Selena Harness from Petzl. It hugs my waist securely without impeding my freedom of movement, and…

Insect-repellent is an essential item during Montana's short, parasite-laden summers. And when you're under assault by a fleet of dive-bombing deer flies, any ol' spray will do. But if you have time to prepare for said…

There’s really nothing better than spending a couple days—or weeks—on the river, away from the minutiae and mundanities of work and responsibility. But as with all things, there are certain factors that are less than ideal—…

There are lots of considerations to get caught up in when looking for a new pair of running shoes: cushioned or stiff, carbon plate or nylon plate, lightweight or not… the solution: Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. These…

If you’re after a lightweight, no-fuss shoe that lets your feet move how they're supposed to, look no further than the Saguaro Active II. With a flexible sole, roomy toe box, and breathable mesh upper, these shoes feel less…

I’m not an elite trail runner, but I'm preparing for a rim-to-rim hike and like to hit the trails often. As I searched for solid, reliable footwear, the new T1 Mount to Coast far exceeded my expectations. My small, narrow…

Light, packable, and ready for anything—Flylow’s Samara Anorak is the kind of layer you forget you’re wearing until you’re grateful you brought it. I tested the women’s medium through unpredictable spring weather: gusty…

For winter and shoulder-season hiking, gaiters are a necessity. In addition to keeping out snow, mud, and water, they also extend the lifespan of your boots by protecting the stitching and leather from abrasion. The…

Intense outdoor activity is good for the body and great for the soul, but over time, it can take its toll. As the experiences and memories add up, so do the injuries, the impairments, the aches & pains—all inevitable…

Set in Montana’s Bridger Mountains, The Trees with Orange Rings (Kyle Dudgeon Creative Films), beautifully documents the lives of great grey owls—and the fragile old-growth Douglas-fir forests they depend on. After…

Sweetgrass (Grasshopper Films) is a quietly mesmerizing documentary as rugged and expansive as the local landscape it portrays. Directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Ilisa Barbash, this classic 2009 film follows a band of…

Access restored in the Missouri Breaks. As controversies surrounding land access continue to mount in Montana, conservationists and recreationalists alike can rest a little easier knowing American Prairie (AP) is fighting…

Nature has a way of healing, but for Andraya Grangroth, it was also a lifeline. Her story is one of overcoming abuse, indoctrination, and depression by exploring nature, pushing her physical limits, and forming a deep love…

As winter creeps to an end, spring announces her presence with wildflowers and baby animals. Kids can learn all about the latter with the Rocky Mountain Babies & Cuties coloring book (Farcountry Press, $13). Whether…

Quite a few action sports around southwest Montana—ice climbing and whitewater kayaking, to name two—have high barriers to entry. Learning the necessary skills, safety considerations, and inside beta are things that take…

If you’re even remotely on the wolf scene, you know the name Rick McIntyre. For more than half a century, McIntyre has immersed himself in the lives of wolves, and My Life With Wolves (Greystone Books; $30) is the long-…