Big Sky Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  Your tour begins at Yellowstone Visitor Information Center, 30 Yellowstone Ave.

• Madison River

  Flowing from Yellowstone to the Missouri River, the Madison River bears witness to the ancient forces of the Ice Age, named by explorer Meriwether Lewis, and renowned today as a world-class fishing destination.

• The Hebgen Lake Earthquake

  Hebgen Lake, formed by a dam in 1914, became infamous in 1959 when a 7.5-magnitude earthquake devastated the area, causing destruction and an enormous avalanche.

• U.S. Highway 191

  Stretching from the U.S.-Canada border to the red deserts of Arizona, U.S. Highway 191 replaced the railway as the primary route for visitors, who once hired colorful stagecoach drivers like Big Fred and Geyser Bob.

• Why Big Sky?

  Montana's nickname "Big Sky Country" originates from A.B. Guthrie Jr.'s novel, reflecting the vastness of the Montana sky, celebrated on license plates and in highway department advertisements.

• Mountain Ranges

  The Madison and Gallatin Ranges showcase peaks like Graycroft and Kirkwood Ridge, formed over millions of years from sedimentation and rising from an ancient ocean floor.

• Crowfoot Ridge

  Named after Chief Crowfoot, this 10,000-foot peak in the Gallatin Range recalls a legendary battle between the chief and a grizzly bear, a fitting homage to the region's wildlife.

• Gallatin Range & the Gallatin Petrified Forest

  Straddling the Montana-Wyoming border, the Gallatin Range boasts treasures like the Gallatin Petrified Forest, where ancient redwood trees turned to stone due to intense volcanic activity millions of years ago.

• Indigenous Tribes

  Early nomadic tribes settled in the Big Sky region over 12,000 years ago, drawn by abundant wildlife and rivers, with their arrival tracing back to the Ice Age migration across the Bering Strait.

• Gallatin River

  The Gallatin River, known to the Shoshone as Cut-tuh-o’gwa, offers exceptional fishing and thrilling rafting experiences, immortalized in the film "A River Runs Through It," starring Brad Pitt.

• Lewis and Clark Expedition

  Lewis and Clark marveled at Montana's dramatic landscapes during their Corps of Discovery Expedition in 1805, revealing the stark contrast to the flatness of Illinois.

• Gallatin National Forest/Absaroka

  Named after a proposed state in the 1930s, the Gallatin Range showcases peaks like King Butte and Big Horn Peak, formed by ancient tectonic activity and volcanic eruptions.

• Albert Gallatin

  Albert Gallatin, an influential figure in early U.S. politics, lends his name to various features in Montana, despite facing opposition from figures like Abigail Adams.

• Cinnamon Mountain

  Cinnamon Mountain's role as a lookout point in wildfire detection highlights the importance of traditional methods alongside modern technology in fire prevention and management.

• Bode Miller

  Olympic skier Bode Miller's unconventional upbringing and success exemplify the allure of Big Sky Ski Resort, renowned for its vast terrain and snowy slopes, attracting skiers of all levels.

• Big Sky Resort & Chet Huntley

  Chet Huntley's vision brought Big Sky Ski Resort to life, but he tragically passed away just before its opening in 1974, leaving behind a legacy of Montana pride and ambition.

• Lemondrop

  Lemondrop Mountain, named after the Lemon family, founders of Rainbow Ranch Lodge, showcases early settlers' struggles and triumphs in the rugged Big Sky region.

• Mount Chipperfield, Wilson Peak, and Table Mountain

  Mount Chipperfield and Wilson Peak pay homage to conservation efforts, with Wilson Peak named after President Woodrow Wilson for his role in American wildlife conservation.

• Big Sky Meadow Village/Lone Mountain

  Lone Mountain, centerpiece of Big Sky Resort, witnessed skiing history with Dave Wessel's pioneering descent, while environmental stewardship shaped its development.

• Spanish Peaks & Lee Metcalf

  Spanish Peaks honor Spanish-speaking prospectors and form part of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, named after Senator Lee Metcalf, a champion of conservation and wilderness protection.

• The Montana Gold Rush & the Stuart Brothers

  The Montana Gold Rush attracted figures like Sheriff Henry Plummer and Granville Stuart, shaping the region's history with tales of wealth, danger, and intrigue.

• Fly Fishing

  Fly fishing in the Gallatin River reflects Montana's deep connection to nature and conservation, offering anglers a chance to mimic insect movements and experience the region's abundant wildlife.

• Swan Creek Trail Ahead

  Swan Creek Trail offers hikers a scenic adventure through the Hyalite Peak area, highlighting the beauty and challenges of Montana's wilderness.

• The Mountain Shoshone

  The Shoshone people, skilled hunters and gatherers, once roamed the vast landscapes of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana, leaving a rich cultural legacy in the Big Sky region.

• Lava Lake Trailhead

  Lava Lake Trail promises hikers stunning views and encounters with rock pikas, showcasing the natural beauty and wildlife of the Spanish Peaks.

• Sagebrush and Douglas Fir

  Sagebrush, a keystone species, faces threats from encroaching Douglas fir, highlighting the delicate balance of ecosystems in the Big Sky region.

• Gallatin Canyon

  Gallatin Canyon's history as a vital passageway for indigenous tribes and homesteaders underscores its importance in shaping the region's settlement and development.

• Storm Castle

  Storm Castle's dramatic rock formations, made of sedimentary rock containing fossils and shells, evoke the imagery of a medieval fortress, showcasing the geological wonders of the Big Sky region.Mule Deer: Mule deer, with their distinctive ears and remarkable adaptations, roam freely across the North American West, showcasing agility, keen senses, and survival skills.

• Montana After Dark

  Montana's pristine night skies offer unparalleled stargazing opportunities, with the Milky Way and sometimes even the northern lights gracing the heavens above Big Sky, inviting visitors to marvel at the wonders of the cosmos.

• Wolves in Montana

  Gray wolves, once nearly extinct, now thrive in Montana, typically running in packs and symbolizing the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and human interests, including controversial hunting regulations.

• Montana on the Big Screen

  The Gallatin River, featured prominently in films like "A River Runs Through It," showcases Montana's cinematic appeal, attracting Hollywood productions and immortalizing the region's natural beauty on the silver screen.

• Gallatin Gateway

  Gallatin Gateway, once known as Salesville, served as a vital stop for travelers on the Bozeman Trail during the 1800s, reflecting the area's rich history of ranching and homesteading amid Montana's rugged landscapes.