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Big Sky, Montana, is easily one of the most scenic places on the entire West Coast of the United States. From the stunning views of the Rocky Mountains to Yellowstone National Park, it’s a natural paradise that you and your family will certainly remember forever.
So if you love hiking, being out in the great outdoors, or experiencing awe-inspiring beauty as you’ve never seen before, Big Sky is definitely for you.
Opting for a short-term vacation rental is an excellent way to make the most out of your Big Sky, Montana adventure. Although virtually anywhere you stay in Big Sky is bound to have impressive views and offer a unique and memorable vacation experience, there are a few neighborhoods that stand out.
From the sky-high Mountain Village to the amazing Gallatin Canyon, you and your family can find excellent accommodations that perfectly suit your needs. These Big Sky best areas to stay are close to all of the amenities you need and offer plenty of activities for you and your family.
Big Sky Montana Best Areas to Stay
Big Sky is divided into a few distinct neighborhoods. Each has its own charm and perks, plus unique activities and entertainment that will wow your family and make your visit totally memorable.
Meadow Village
Although Meadow Village is undoubtedly a charming Big Sky neighborhood, it’s still very close to the city center. This proximity means that you will never be far from some of the top restaurants, activities, and shopping in Big Sky.
Also, there’s plenty of boutique shopping right in Meadow Village itself. So if you want to patronize local craftspeople and pick up a great souvenir, stick close to home for your shopping spree.
Meadow Village Availability
Meadow Village is also reasonably close to other Big Sky attractions like Moonlight Basin. As a result, there are plenty of long and short-term vacation rentals for every style and budget. Whether you’re looking for individual homes, shared condominiums, or apartments, you’re bound to find it in Meadow Village.
Meadow Village Food
There are a few cute restaurants in Meadow Village, plus a fully-stocked grocery store so that you can cook at home too. This option is perfect for families who want to take advantage of short or long-term rentals and save some money on food.
However tempting it might be to check out the wild country around Big Sky, set aside a little time to explore Meadow Village itself.
Meadow Village Attractions
In addition to great shopping and dining options, Meadow Village is home to Big Sky Golf Course, one of the state’s premier golf courses where you can get in a good game while soaking up the stunning scenery.
You should also make a point to visit Crail Ranch, especially if you and your family are interested in Montana’s history. This ranch is a homestead that dates back to 1902 and will give you a great glimpse into what frontier life was like at the turn of the last century.
Moonlight Basin
If you want to truly get in touch with nature, consider opting for a long or short-term vacation rental in Moonlight Basin. This slice of fascinating wilderness is one of Big Sky’s best areas to stay and one of its least known. You will get the opportunity to truly unplug and immerse yourself and your family in natural wonder while exploring the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.
Moonlight Basin Wilderness
Moonlight Basin connects the Lee Metcalf Wilderness with several national parts, forming an integral part of Yellowstone’s ecosystem. As a result, it’s one of the most vital areas for preserving nature in all of Big Sky.
Stay in Moonlight Basin, and you are bound to run across all sorts of animals like:
- Elk
- Moose
- Reclusive wild cats
It’s laced with plenty of hiking trails for all skill levels and is an ideal place to explore in the spring and summer months.
Activities in Moonlight Basin
If you like skiing, you need to visit Moonlight Basin. If not, stay there directly. While hiking in the snow can be treacherous, plenty of slopes are available for skiers of all fitness levels.
In the warmer months, you can try your hand at some of Moonlight Basin’s phenomenal golf courses. Finally, of course, if you decide that you want to spend a little bit of time in the town, you can get to Meadow Village, Mountain Village, or Town Center pretty quickly.
Moonlight Basin is an excellent place to learn about nature and teach your children how to appreciate the wild world that’s all around us.
Gallatin Canyon
Gallatin Canyon is another phenomenal place to stay right in Big Sky, Montana. As you might guess from the name, this neighborhood sits right on the Gallatin Canyon itself, giving you total access to all the fishing, trekking, and exploring that you might want to do.
Plus, it’s centrally located between West Yellowstone and Gallatin Gateway, two towns that border Big Sky and are well worth seeing all in their own.
Gallatin Canyon Stays
Gallatin Canyon is one of the more prominent neighborhoods on our list, so there’s a great chance that you will find a long or short-term vacation rental that suits you and your family perfectly. Unfortunately, this area of Big Sky tends to get pretty busy, so book your vacation rental in advance.
Gallatin Canyon Activities
If you like sport fishing, you’ll find everything you need for an enjoyable vacation in Gallatin Canyon. There’s plenty of outdoor stores and fishing supply shops. You will also find plenty of places where you can rent kayaks and canoes.
However, make sure that you only go into the water in designated areas. Gallatin Canyon can get slightly treacherous at certain times of the year.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities that you can do in Gallatin Canyon. In addition to kayaking, canoeing, and trying to catch the perfect fish, you can also go horseback riding. Horseback riding is a fabulous way to see more of the countryside than you could just by hiking alone.
Since it’s centrally located, Gallatin Canyon walks the perfect line between feeling isolated and remote and being close to all the amenities you could possibly want. So if you don’t wind up staying there, at least put it on your “must visit” list the next time you find yourself in Big Sky.
Mountain Villiage
If you and your family love to hit the slopes or just want to breathe in some of that fine mountain air, there’s only one place to look for your short-term vacation rental. Mountain Village is one of the more popular destinations in Big Sky, so you definitely will want to book in advance to ensure that you can get the accommodation of your dreams.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options that can suit various budgets and needs. Many different-sized rental properties are ideal for couples, small families, or your whole extended team.
Mountain Village Wilderness
Mountain Village sits right at the bottom of Lone Mountain, which towers over 11,000 feet over Big Sky. Lone Mountain has plenty of great skiing trails and is an excellent place to go trekking or hiking during the summer.
Mountain Village Attractions
Despite its proximity to some unique nature, Mountain Village has tons of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Whether you need souvenirs, sumptuous local food, or skiing gear, you can find it in Mountain Village. Since Lone Mountain is great any time of year, you’ll always find lots of crowds and activity at Mountain Village.
Mountain Village is relatively close to Moonlight Basin, another great area to visit and stay at during your time in Big Sky. There’s also usually something fun happening any time of the year. However, many events tend to sell out quickly, so make sure you check in advance.
Since Mountain Village is easily one of the most popular places in Big Sky, planning your activities in advance can save you time and headaches. It will also give you more time to enjoy your dream vacation.
Town Center
Finally, Town Center is an excellent place to stay in Big Sky. It’s also one of the more convenient options on our list. Town Center is very close to both Mountain Village and Meadow Village. It’s within walking distance of the cute shops and cafes of Meadow Village and just a few short miles from Mountain Village. You could walk or trek there during the summer.
Most people make Town Center their home away from home while traveling in this part of Montana. So it’s easy to see why it’s one of Big Sky’s best areas to stay.
Town Center Attractions
You won’t have to worry about wanting for anything when you rest your head in Town Center because it’s the place to go to:
- Go shopping
- Get food
- Rent equipment
- Have a fun night out on the town with your family
There’s a movie theater, tons of great restaurants, and a robust farmer’s market right in the heart of Town Center. There’s also plenty of events and activities happening all year round. As with the events in Moutain Village, it’s a good idea to book in advance to make sure that you have a spot.
Town Center Accommodations
One of the other critical draws of Town Center is that it offers a broader range of accommodations. While you can indeed find something that suits your needs in Mountain Village, the accommodations close to the slopes tend to be a little bit on the pricier side. As a result, you and your family should have more wiggle room to negotiate in Town Center.
Town Center Wilderness
You will also be very close to nature. Town Center is just a few minutes away from Ousel Falls, a picturesque natural waterfall.
Take your family on a fun hike to the falls for a day full of wholesome adventure. You can also pick up anything that you might need for your journey right in the Town Center itself, making it easier than ever to enjoy nature fully.
Wrapping Up
Big Sky is truly one of the more unique places to stay in the country. Whether you want to take your family on the skiing adventure of a lifetime, get in some fishing, or explore the frontier roots of Montana, there’s something for you in Big Sky.
These top five Big Sky best areas to stay walk a great line between letting you immerse yourself in nature and staying close to all of the conveniences that you could want.
Book early to get the best deals. Big Sky is rapidly becoming the “go-to” destination for families who want a memorable and incredible family vacation, and many of the top long and short-term vacation rentals are not on the market for too long.
Additionally, think about what your family wants and needs. For example, if you love going to the movies or ordering gourmet pizza to relax, consider staying in a place like Town Center.
On the other hand, Moonlight Basin offers you an incredible retreat from modern life, where you’ll be surrounded by nature and wildlife. So if you want a taste of true Montana and you don’t mind being without constant internet access or all of the amenities you want right at your fingertips, consider a more natural destination.
Whatever you decide, there are many options available for you for every style, budget, and need. So book your long or short-term vacation rental in Big Sky today. You and your family will not regret it!
