Gallatin River Lodge

We liked the beautiful, cozy lodge and were happy with the food. The staff were lovely and attentive, and made the meals and happy hours enjoyable. What spoiled the stay was the renovation work. We only found out it was happening after paying, with about two weeks’ notice. During business hours, workers were on the roof right outside our windows, so we couldn’t fully enjoy the room. The hotel staff kindly refunded our happy hour bill and offered a discount for a future visit, but didn’t seem to understand how much the work affected our stay. We’d also expected more local fishing opportunities, but there’s no access to the Gallatin from the lodge itself. That was disappointing too.

We saw bison, elk, coyote, mule deer, and bald eagles on the Winter Wildlife Tour with Trail Guides Yellowstone. We didn’t get lucky enough to spot a wolf, but we were thrilled with the wildlife we did see. Brian was patient, happy to stop for photos and a visit to the visitors center, and very knowledgeable and passionate about nature. He also shared lots of Yellowstone information and good stories. Brian picked us up at the lodge and drove us to Yellowstone, with tea, hot chocolate, soda, water, and snacks for the ride. A delicious picnic lunch was included, and we ate while looking out over breathtaking countryside views. The Lodge is a wonderful, cozy place to stay, and I’d highly recommend booking a tour with this company.

Our first happy hour here was a great find. The drink deals are good, and the food is really nice, though the portions are on the small side. The setting is beautiful, and the lodge has a lovely mix of homey and elevated. It would make a great staycation or anniversary treat, and it’s well placed for visiting the Gallatin Valley or Big Sky areas. Pictured are their Old Fashioned and Bison Tartare.

The sunset views are something else, and the room itself was beautiful, with a polished rustic look. It had a great shower and one of the most comfortable hotel beds I’ve slept on. But for the daily rate, the place doesn’t feel ready for prime time. The rooms are a long walk or a 10-minute drive from the heavily advertised river, and the kitchen was closed. A gracious, professional host who was genuinely kind brought in a continental breakfast. The food was like a Days Inn breakfast, though it cost three times as much. Since this is Bozeman, maintenance happens when it happens, and painters showed up enthusiastically at 8am the next morning, an early alarm clock.