Founded in 1893 as Montana's land grant college, MSU-Bozeman is a comprehensive, multipurpose university maintaining programs of instruction, research, and public service. Our campus is located in the heart of the Gallatin Valley at an altitude of 4,794 feet, and the campus panorama is dominated by the Bridger Mountains about 15 minutes away. For a closer look at our spectacular location, see the aerial photo (179K) or our campus tour. Our campus includes 45 major buildings on 1,170 acres. We are 90 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

Bozeman, which is our home, has a real main street and about 30,000 citizens, including farmers and ranchers, artists, scientists, teachers, business people, students, and community volunteers. As the largest employer in the Gallatin Valley, MSU-Bozeman has a major economic impact on both state and county and works closely with the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce. The university's influence in attracting high-tech companies to the area was recognized by the Chronicle of Higher Education in an article titled The Next Silicon Valley?.

Our nearest airport is Gallatin Field, located eight miles from Bozeman. Northwest and Delta airlines provide service through Minneapolis and Salt Lake City, respectively. There is a Greyhound bus terminal located in Bozeman.

Annual precipitation in Bozeman is 18.61 inches, and much of it arrives as snow. We receive an annual average of 83.5 inches of snow in Bozeman and 350 inches at the Bridger Bowl ski area. Bridger Bowl is located 15 miles from Bozeman. Other nearby ski areas are Big Sky, 45 miles south, and Red Lodge, 149 miles east.

The Bozeman Area

• Twelve museums and several art galleries in Bozeman, Livingston, and surrounding towns;
• Shakespeare in the Parks, Bozeman's own touring theatre group, performs throughout the summer months in Bozeman and towns throughout Montana;
• Dozens of restaurants--or go backpacking and have breakfast on the trail;
• World-class flyfishing on five blue ribbon trout streams;
• Backcountry trips with one of our many licensed guides and outfitters;
• Hiking on numerous scenic trails in the mountains surrounding the valley;
• The Sweet Pea Festival, held each August, is a community celebration with art, crafts, music, food, flowers, runs, and lots of events for children;
• Twenty-eight dude ranches, hostels, resorts, and hot springs;
• Public and private campgrounds with such amenities as boat launches and waterslides;
• Recreational cabins in the nearby Gallatin National Forest;
• The opportunity to witness the fall migration of magnificent birds of prey in the Bridger Mountains;
• Bicycling--the view from your bike is unmatched;
• The Christmas Stroll down Main Street features sleigh rides, Santa, carols, and lots of food vendors.
• Golf every day of the week at a different course;
• First-run movies in our ten Bozeman cinema theaters;
• Yellowstone Park--tour the first and most diverse of all national parks;
• Hot skiing on cold powder: Bridger Bowl, Big Sky Resort, and Red Lodge Mountain. Bozeman has more annual days of sunshine than Houston, Texas;
• Nordic skiing and snowmobiling on two million acres of pristine beauty in Yellowstone National Park--and another two million next door in the Gallatin National Forest;
• A different opera produced each April by the Intermountain Opera Company.

Directions to Campus

Bozeman, Montana, is located on I-90. Three interstate exits will bring you to the campus of MSU-Bozeman.

From the west, exit on North 19th and proceed south for about 3 miles. Turn left on West Kagy Boulevard. Drive 12 blocks to just past Reno A. Sales Stadium. Turn left on South 7th Avenue. You may park in the lot immediately to your right or continue toward Grant Avenue where there are two large parking areas, including a pay lot, on the left.

The middle exit is North 7th Avenue. Proceed south and turn right, onto Main Street, at the fourth light. Continue west on Main Street four blocks to South 11th Avenue and turn left. Drive approximately 14 blocks south to Grant Avenue. You may park in the Fieldhouse parking lot or turn left and travel another couple of blocks to South 7th Avenue. If you turn right on South 7th Avenue, you will see two large parking lots ahead on your left.

Finally, you can exit I-90 from the east onto Main Street, proceed west to Willson Avenue, turn left, and travel 15 blocks to Kagy Boulevard (Willson will curve slightly here). Turn right and continue for four blocks to South 7th Avenue, turn right again, and you will see the parking lots on your left.

Once you are here, the campus directory and map will help you find your way around.

MSU-Bozeman

© Copyright Montana State University-Bozeman.

Last Updated: 11/18/97