Student Life
With hundreds of student clubs and programs of academic study, dozens of athletic activities to watch or play and four seasons in an outdoor paradise, every day can look different for each of our more than 16,000 students. Learn about student life and opportunities below!
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Campus Snapshot
Facts & Stats
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MSU has over
300
student clubs and organizations
Choose from
250+
study abroad programs in 60 countries
Montana State is often called
Trout U
with three world-class fly fishing rivers nearby
Explore over
80 Miles
of the Main Street to the Mountains trails
No. 1 Day Trip
Yellowstone
89 miles from campus
MSU Bobcats
NCAA Div. 1 Athletics
Big Sky Conference
Our Favorite Traditions
Homecoming - Join Bobcat alumni and current students for a Bozeman-wide celebration for the longstanding traditions of MSU. Come cheer on MSU student clubs and organizations at the Homecoming parade in the morning, then cheer on our Bobcats at a home game in Bobcat stadium later that day!
Lights on Montana Hall - with the start of the Holiday season, come join President Cruzado, faculty, staff and students to turn on Christmas lights on Montana Hall. There will be Christmas Carols, holiday treats, hot chocolate and more to get our campus community in the Holiday spirit!
Goldrush - the first home football game of the season, and a very spirited time on campus! Wear your Goldrush t-shirt and pack Bobcat Stadium to cheer on our ‘Cats!
“M” Photo - Start off the school year with your new MSU freshman class by heading over to Bobcat stadium and getting in the shape of the MSU “M” logo. A great way to meet other incoming Bobcats and see your new class all together in one spot!
Bobcat Fest - Come celebrate the achievements of our graduating MSU seniors during a pep rally held on Main Street - there will be performances from our marching band, discounts from local organizations and more to celebrate the accomplishments of these students and what they have added to campus and Bozeman!
CatWalk - Kick off the start of the school year by joining President Cruzado and the MSU
Marching Band as they play the MSU Fight Song in every single local shop and restaurant
on Main street!
Clubs & Organizations
There's something outside the classroom for everyone at Montana State! The Office of Student Engagement (OSE) provides and facilitates student engagement opportunities for MSU students through a variety of programs, events, services and activities. Additionally, students can find many other opportunities to get involved, like Fraternity & Sorority Life or Bobcat Athletics. Learn more about each option below.
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Take a virtual walking tour of our fitness & recreation centers!
Bozeman: Montana's Best College Town
Bozeman's Main Street and downtown district offers something for everyone.
As a town of approximately 60,000 people, and just under 110,000 people in the greater surrounding area, Bozeman has all the benefits of a small town and larger city. With an integrated town and campus community, as well as endless outdoor opportunity, there's never a shortage of things to do in Bozeman.
Bozeman was recently named one of the best small college towns in the U.S. and the best in Montana. Whether you're catching a local film at one of our downtown theaters, grabbing a coffee at a locally-owned business or hitting the slopes on a bluebird day at Bridger Bowl, Bozeman offers something for everyone in every season.
Weather
- Averages 300 days of sunshine each year
- Average high temperature in January is 32 degrees F
- Average high temperature in July is 85 degrees F
- In town, average 86 inches of snow
- In the mountains, expect around 350-400 inches of snow
Main Street
Bozeman's Main Street is home to exclusively locally-owned businesses.
It's also home to a variety of events every year, including Music on Main, the Christmas Stroll, Sweet Pea festival, art walks, farmers markets and more!
- Explore your options at DowntownBozeman.org.
- Check out Bozeman's Best of 2020 winners.
Outdoor Recreation
- Main Street to the Mountains Trail System - 80+ miles of trail.
- Gallatin National Forest - 2,200 miles of trails, 1,740 miles of fishable streams and rivers, dense timbered valleys and rugged peaks and 700 high-mountain lakes.
- Hyalite Canyon - Only 20 minutes from campus!
- Two major ski resorts in the area including Bridger Bowl and Big Sky Ski Resort.
Arts & Culture
- Rock out at the Rialto Theater - Bringing in big name artists from across the country!
- Watch a performance or play at the Ellen Theater - Opened in 1919!
- Attend our Music on Main summer series - A fan favorite display of local bands.
- Explore the Emerson Center for Arts & Culture - Check out their rotating exhibitions and classes!
Top 5: Our Favorite Bozeman Things
1. Check out downtown Bozeman
Support some of our amazing locally-owned businesses!
2. Hike the M
Check out the hiking trail to a Bozeman landmark, established by MSU's very own Class of 1918!
3. Head to Yellowstone
Take a day trip to one of the country's most popular national parks - only 89 miles away!
4. Hyalite Canyon Adventures
Head to Bozeman's backyard for some great hiking, biking and swimming options less that 20 minutes from campus.
5. Museum Minds
Explore MSU's Museum of the Rockies, home to one of the world's largest collections of dinosaur fossils.
Great in Any Season
No matter what time of year you visit us, there's always something going on! Check out some of our favorite seasonal activities and recommendations below.
Winter
- Bridger Bowl
- Big Sky Ski Resort
- Check out the area’s local hot springs including Bozeman Hot Springs, Chico Hot Springs and Norris Hot Springs
- Best Winter Hikes
- The Christmas Stroll
- Ice Fishing at Hyalite Reservoir or Glen Lake Rotary Park
- Ice Skating at Haynes Pavilion, the Bogart Pavillion or Beall Park.
- Cross-Country Skiing at various trails in and around Bozeman
- Winter’s Farmers Market at the Emerson Cultural Center
Spring
- Take a stroll through Story Mill Community Park
- Biking trails
- Run to the Pub on St. Patrick’s Day
- Best Spring Hikes
- Attend one of Bozeman many downtown parades including the Memorial Day Parade
- Fish in the area’s hundreds of miles of blue ribbon rivers and streams
- Attend a concert at the Rialto theater or a performance at the Ellen Theater
Summer
- Music on Main
- Sweet Pea Festival
- Shakespeare in the parks
- Boiling River
- White water rafting and kayaking
- Paddleboarding, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing in Hyalite Canyon
- Ziplining
- Yellowstone National Park
- Check out the Big Sky Country State Fair or the Bozeman Stampede Rodeo
Fall
- MSU kicks off each fall semester with its annual Community CatWalk
- Check out the MSU Homecoming Parade
- Go to an MSU football game
- Rocky Creek Farm
- Check out one of the many 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon or Marathon runs in the area
- Support Small Business Saturday where the entire community comes out to shop local
Want to learn more about student life at MSU? Join one of our live information sessions!
Want more information about MSU? We're here to help.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! You can email our
staff at [email protected], or call us Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm MT at 1-888-MSU-CATS.