The Ultimate Dog-Friendly Guide to Big Sky, Montana

Over the past few years, interest in Montana has surged, thanks to shows like Yellowstone and a societal shift toward getting outside and reconnecting with nature. Now, with slow travel and farm-charm inspiration at the forefront, Big Sky, in particular, is trending as the top travel destination for 2026. With world-class outdoor recreation, jaw-dropping landscapes, and top-tier hospitality, Big Sky is a bucket-list destination well worth exploring.

If you want to bring your pup along for the adventure of a lifetime, we’re here to help! We researched the buzz-worthy resort community to present you with the ultimate dog-friendly guide to Big Sky, Montana. Keep in mind that, while these restaurants, shops, and hotels welcome pups, you’ll still want to keep a very close eye on them, especially when they’re outside. Montana’s wildlife (moose, elk, wolves, grizzlies, mountain lions, hawks, and eagles among them) isn’t exactly dog-friendly.  

Now that we’ve gotten that safety tip out in the open, let’s move on to the fun stuff. Ahead, explore our dog-friendly guide to Big Sky, Montana — and its surrounding areas.

Cafes and eateries

A person’s gotta eat, and at these Big Sky cafes and eateries, your pooch is welcome to come along for chow time.

Ousel & Spur Pizza Co. 

50 Ousel Falls Rd.
@ouselandspurpizza

Ousel & Spur is a fan-favorite restaurant for gourmet wood-fired pizza, authentic Italian pasta dishes, and craft cocktails. In addition to all the standard toppings, patrons can opt for elk sausage if they’re feeling adventurous.

McGill’s Restaurant & Saloon

205 Buffalo Horn Creek Rd., Gallatin Gateway
@mcgillsbigsky

McGill’s Restaurant & Saloon is one of the on-property eateries at 320 Guest Ranch, a 126-year-old guest ranch nestled between Bozeman and Big Sky. The establishment features dishes like wild game and mushrooms with marrow bones, elk wontons with herbed cheese, bone-in ribeye, and bison short ribs. Dogs are welcome on the patio for a porch-side picnic. Because of extreme winter weather in the area, the restaurant is only open in the spring, summer, and fall.

Caliber Coffee Roasters

80 Snowy Mountain Cir.
1805 W Oak St., Bozeman
@calibercoffeeroasters

For exceptional coffee in the greater Big Sky area, head over to the dog-friendly Caliber Coffee Roaster s, with locations in Big Sky and in Bozeman. The highly rated coffee shop showcases a menu of lattes, mochas, macchiatos, cold brew, matcha, and smoothies, along with a string of classic espresso brews like Americanos and cortados. For fare, Caliber Coffee Roasters offers a burrito breakfast special, as well as quiche, baked goods, and biscuit and bagel sandwiches.

Riverhouse BBQ

45130 Gallatin Rd., Gallatin Gateway
@riverhouse_bbq_events

For authentic Texas BBQ in a mouth-watering Montana style, stop by Riverhouse BBQ, where dogs are allowed on the patio and lawn. Patrons can choose from individual appetizers, small plates, burgers, fried chicken, and BBQ, or enjoy a sampling when ordering family style. FYI: Nestled along the Gallatin River, Riverhouse BBQ offers more than just great BBQ — the views are pretty spectacular, too.

Tres Toros Tacos & Tequila

145 Town Center Ave., Unit #B
@trestoros406

Enjoy a taste of Mexico in Montana at Tres Toros Tacos & Tequila, where well-behaved pups are permitted on the patio. The hip, casual cantina is known for its birria tacos, pork belly tacos, and shrimp tacos, but guests can select from a robust menu of appetizers, entrees, quesadillas, burritos, margaritas, cocktails, and beer.

Breweries, wineries, and bars

Speaking of beer, the Big Sky breweries and bars below welcome pups for yappy hour and beyond.

Beehive Basin Brewery

245 Town Center Ave.
@beehivebasinbrewery

This seven-barrel microbrewery is known for its handcrafted brews and dog-friendly vibes. If you like to eat when you drink, know that Beehive Basin doesn’t serve food. They do, however, allow patrons to order delivery or bring carryout to accompany their beverages.

Block 3 Kitchen & Bar

145 Town Center Ave.
@block3bigsky

Block 3 is Big Sky’s premier steakhouse, touting a seasonal menu that’s highly sought after and an outdoor patio that welcomes well-behaved pups. Menu highlights include dishes like wagyu beef short rib bites, game meatballs, bison pot pie, steelhead trout, and red deer loin.

Buffalo Bar

335 Hwy. 20, West Yellowstone

Buffalo Bar is technically in West Yellowstone, but it remains a popular pick for folks staying in Big Sky country. The bar doubles as a restaurant and casino, with a West Mex-inspired menu, slot machines, and a fenced patio and gravel courtyard bar where pups are welcome to join in on the fun. FYI: The popular lunch and dinner spot also serves breakfast.

Neptune’s Taphouse & Eatery

232 S. Main St., Livingston
@neptuneseatery

Coastal fusion food in the heart of Montana? It seems like an unlikely pairing, but Big Sky visitors dub Neptune’s Taphouse & Eatery a must-try eatery in the area — especially for pet parents, who can bring pups on the patio or upper deck. For non-seafood and sushi lovers, Neptune’s also serves soups, salads, and burgers.

Shops

Given Big Sky’s rural location, shopping isn’t at the forefront. That said, nearby Bozeman has a few options.

Dee-o-Gee

2051 Oak St., Bozeman
@deeogeebzn

Dee-o-Gee is a popular wellness-focused pet supply store out West, with locations in Montana and Colorado. Known to stock fresh and kibble dog food, pet supplements, toys, beds, treats, bowls, feeders, and gear, this store is your one-stop shop for all your pup’s needs.

Bridger Peaks Town Center

N. 19th & Oak St., Bozeman

Looking to shop for yourself — with your pup along for the spree? Bridger Peaks Town Center allows well-behaved, leashed dogs, with many stores welcoming them inside. Visitors can shop at stores like T.J. Maxx, Famous Footwear, Sally Beauty Supply, and Chico’s.

Parks and trails

Remember, the whole point of venturing to Big Sky is to get outside and become one with nature. The trails below are a great place to start with your pooch. 

Lava Lake Trail 

Lave Lake Trail is a popular, moderate trail located within the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The 5.5-mile hike features a 1,610-foot elevation gain, with panoramic mountain and lake views that make it well worth it. Two things: Pups have to be leashed at all times, and during winter, avalanche risk is present — it’s of paramount importance to plan ahead. 

Cinnamon Mountain Trail 

Cinnamon Mountain Trail is a top-rated, hard trail, also within the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The 8.1-mile, out-and-back hike touts a 2,624-foot elevation gain through a pine forest and grassy meadows. A word to the wise: This dog-friendly trail gets super muddy in spring and poses avalanche risk in winter. Plan accordingly. 

South Fork Trail 

South Fork Trail is yet another Custer Gallatin National Forest find. Just under a mile long, the loop hike is categorized as “easy.” Still, it poses avalanche risk in winter, so plan ahead for yourself and your pooch. 

Little Willow Way

Another easy hike in Custer Gallatin National Forest is Little Willow Way, a 1.8-mile loop that winds through grassy meadows and towering pines. Pups are permitted on leash. And again: Avalanches are a possibility. Steer clear of the path in winter or plan ahead to ensure safety while exploring during the colder months of the year. 

Hummock’s Trail Loop

One more easy, dog-friendly hike for good measure, we have Hummock’s Trail Loop. The 2.6-mile hike is beloved for its wildflower displays and spring, but beware, avalanche risks are a possibility in winter. 

Hotels

Think you’ll want to stay a while? The hotels below allow dogs on the premises.

Big Sky Resort Huntley Lodge

50 Big Sky Resort Rd.
@bigskyresort

Located in the heart of Mountain Village, Big Sky Resort’s Huntley Lodge is a must for pet parents who want to be close to the action. The property features crisp, rustic accommodations and offers a complimentary ski valet, year-round outdoor heated pools and hot tubs, laundry facilities, oxygen therapy for folks struggling with the elevation, and more. Your pup will even get a property bandana to commemorate their stay.

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $35 per night, per pet (increase to $50 in 2026)

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room: Dogs can be left unattended, but they must be well-behaved and housekeeping needs prior notice.

The Wilson Hotel

145 Town Center Ave.
@thewilsonhotelbigsky

The Wilson Hotel is dripping in modern luxury, but that doesn’t stop them from allowing pups on site. The all-suite hotel features spacious layouts, full kitchens, plush bedding, and views of Lone Peak, making for a cozy, picturesque getaway for you and your pup. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $100 per stay

• Number/size restrictions: Two pets up to 50 pounds

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Gravity Haus Big Sky

88 Big Pine Dr.
@gravityhaus

Gravity Haus is a wellness-focused hotel chain with properties all over the West. Gravity Haus Big Sky welcomes pups to its modern guestrooms and encourages pet parents to make good use of the on-site amenities, including gear demos, a state-of-the-art gym, cold plunges, saunas, and more.

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $50 per pet, per night

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room: Pets cannot be left unattended.

One&Only Moonlight Basin

77 Roosevelt Rd.
@oomoonlightbasin

One&Only Moonlight Basin is Big Sky’s most-anticipated hospitality opening of 2025. The luxury property, which opened its doors in November of last year, marks the first One&Only establishment in the United States. The ultra-luxe global resort brand has hotels and private homes all over the world, all of which exemplify wealth and glamour, and encourage discovery of the natural surroundings.

As you might imagine, One&Only Moonlight Basin is an absolute sight to behold, with its modern mountain aesthetic, remarkable floor-to-ceiling views, and high-end finishes that reflect comforting feelings of home while nodding to the great beyond of Montana’s frontier. Best of all, dogs are allowed!

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $120 per pet, per night

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Rainbow Ranch Lodge

42950 Gallatin Rd.
@rainbowranchlodge

For a more rustic, down-to-earth Montana getaway, book a room at the dog-friendly Rainbow Ranch Lodge, where log-cabin charm awaits. With riverside and pond-side rooms, the views are picturesque, especially with the snow-capped mountains in the background. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $40 per dog, per stay ($60 for two dogs)

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.

Montage Big Sky 

995 Settlement Trl.
@montagebigsky

Meanwhile, Montage Big Sky offers a similar cabin aesthetic, albeit on a grander, more luxurious scale with ski-in, ski-out access. The dog-friendly property is an especially great fit for folks looking to not only enjoy the great outdoors but also unwind at the spa or in front of the fire. 

Know before you go:

• Pet fee: $150 per stay plus $100 per night

• Number/size restrictions: Two dogs of any size

• In room: Pets shouldn’t be left unattended.