Where to Stay & Eat in Livingston, Paradise Valley & Bozeman
These are trusted lodging and dining options I recommend to clients year-round. Each place has its own price point, strengths, and style, but depending on what you’re looking for, I stand behind every one of them. They’re well-reviewed, easy to work with, and located close to the waters we fish.
Paradise Valley | lodging
Mountain Home Vacation Rentals — My Highest Recommendation for Vacation Rentals
I’ve worked with Mountain Home for over a decade and know the owners and several homeowners personally. They run one of the most reliable vacation-rental operations in the region. Their homes are in great locations close to the rivers, especially in Paradise Valley, Livingston, and the Bozeman area. These properties are usually upscale, and you truly get what you pay for.
Professionally managed homes ranging from cozy cabins to high-end retreats, all well-maintained and guest-ready.
Sage Lodge — Earned 3 MICHELIN Keys
This is considered one of the top hotel experiences in Montana. I’ve had meals in both the fine-dining room and the bar, and the staff has always been friendly and professional. Sage is also generous with community outreach and local watershed projects, which I appreciate.
If you stay here and want to fish with me, just let them know you’re booking with Swan’s Fly Fishing. They’re flexible about guests choosing their own guide outside of their in-house program.
Luxury lodging, great food, and full lodge amenities in Paradise Valley.
Chico Hot Springs - all around montana Experience
Chico is one of the most recognizable places in Paradise Valley. It’s relaxed, historic, and offers a wide range of lodging options. You can book a simple room with a shared hallway bath, a classic hotel-style room with full amenities, or one of their higher-end standalone cabins.
If you want the full Montana experience — good food, hot springs, live music, and a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere — this is a great place to stay. It’s fun, welcoming, and easy to enjoy with family, friends, or as a getaway.
Chico also holds a personal place for me. Kari and I were married here, and I’ve been visiting for more than 25 years. It’s a genuine Montana landmark and a spot people enjoy coming back to.
Historic resort with cabins, lodges, hot springs, and a well-known dining room in Paradise Valley.
https://www.chicohotsprings.com
Hubbard’s Yellowstone Lodge — Multiple Orvis “Lodge of the Year” Awards
Hubbard’s is one of my all-time favorite guest ranches. I’ve worked with the Hubbard family for decades, and they run one of the most welcoming, well-run fishing lodges in the state. The setting above the Yellowstone River and Absaroka Range is tough to beat, and the lodge strikes a perfect balance between high-end comfort and a warm, home-style feel.
Guests often leave feeling like part of the family. It’s a true Montana experience with excellent fishing access and plenty of non-fishing amenities.If you stay here and want to fish with me, just request Matt Swan as your guide when you book — they have their own guide staff, but they’re flexible about guests choosing their preferred guide.
Paradise Valley | Dining
Chico Hot Springs – Fine Dining & Bar Side
Chico is the place I send people in Paradise Valley when they want the full Montana lodge experience. The Historic Dining Room is one of my favorite dinner spots anywhere. Big steaks, local dishes, and that classic old lodge feel you cannot fake. If you choose the fine dining side, get the Flaming Orange for dessert. It is part show, part tradition, and always worth ordering.
The Saloon and Poolside Grille offer a relaxed vibe with burgers, wings, cold beer, and people moving in and out of the hot springs. It is perfect after a long day on the river.
https://www.chicohotsprings.com
Sage Lodge – Fireside Room and The Grill
Sage Lodge is where I point people who want great food with a wide view of Emigrant Peak. The Fireside Room is warm and comfortable after a day on the Yellowstone or the spring creeks. Their wild game chili is excellent and usually the first thing I recommend.
The Grill is a more refined but still relaxed dinner option. If you have ever wanted to try elk, this is the restaurant to do it. Elk loin or elk steak, they cook it perfectly every time.
Follow Yer Nose BBQ (Emigrant)
In my opinion, Follow Yer Nose has the best barbecue in the Rocky Mountains. The owner is from Macon, Georgia, a place known for great barbecue, and he brought that craft to Montana. Brisket, ribs, pulled pork, it is all good. Picnic tables, wood smoke, and Emigrant Peak in the background make it the perfect after fishing stop.
Side note: Wildflour Bakery is next door and owned by the same family. They bake all the bread fresh every day. It takes the sandwiches here to another level.
https://www.followyernosebbq.com
Old Saloon
The Old Saloon has been a Paradise Valley landmark since 1902. It looks a little Western at first with old wood floors and a long bar, but it is a very welcoming place. Guides, anglers, ranch hands, locals, and travelers all mix easily here. Big breakfasts, hearty bar food, and strong drinks keep it popular.
In the summer the Old Saloon becomes one of the best under the radar music venues in Montana. Touring country and Americana artists play here in a low key, unpretentious setting. It is a true Paradise Valley experience.
Livingston | Lodging
The Murray Hotel — Iconic Downtown Livingston Experience
The Murray Hotel is the classic place to stay in Livingston. It’s historic, comfortable, and right in the middle of downtown. Rooms range from simple, nicely updated hotel rooms to larger suites, all with the charm and character you expect from a true Montana landmark.
The location is one of its biggest strengths. You can walk to almost everything — restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, live music, and the river. It’s an ideal base if you want to experience downtown Livingston without driving from place to place.
Weekends often bring live music, and the whole property has the classic Livingston vibe — the kind of atmosphere Jimmy Buffett captured in the song “Livingston Saturday Night.”
Mountain Home Vacation Rentals (Livingston) - highly Recommend for Vacation Rentals
Like I mentioned before, Mountain Home is the one I trust when people ask where to stay in this area. Their Livingston homes are always clean, well cared for, and in the right parts of town. It feels more locked-in and reliable than the average Airbnb, and guests I send there consistently have a good experience. Easy access to downtown, restaurants, and the river.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott — Comfortable & Convenient
A reliable, comfortable place to stay on the west side of Livingston with quick access to I-90 and Highway 89. Great for smooth in-and-out days when you’re fishing or traveling. It’s not located in downtown Livingston, but it’s close, and the easy highway access makes it simple to get to the river or anywhere else you need to go. Rooms are clean and modern with a mini-fridge and microwave, and the hotel offers free breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and an indoor pool and hot tub. A solid choice if you want a convenient location with everything you need to recharge between days on the water.
https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bznfy-fairfield-inn-and-suites-livingston-yellowstone/
Livingston Inn Motel — Budget Basecamp
For anglers looking for the most affordable and reliable place to stay in Livingston, the Livingston Inn Motel is the budget option I recommend. It’s clean, quiet, and set up well for fishing trips with easy parking, simple rooms, and quick access to the Yellowstone River and downtown Livingston. It works perfectly as a no-nonsense headquarters to sleep, organize gear, and get back on the water. Consistently good reviews and a solid location make it the best budget basecamp in town.
Livingston | Dining
Campione Roman Kitchen
Campione earned a spot on the New York Times list of the 50 Best Restaurants in the United States. That kind of recognition is rare, especially for a small Montana town.
I have been lucky enough to eat here a few times and it lives up to the press. They are known for handmade pastas, house baked focaccia, seasonal vegetable dishes, and a braised short rib people talk about for days. The meatballs are a signature starter and always excellent.
It is a warm and intimate space. Make reservations early, especially in the summer.
The Mint Bar and Grill
The Mint surprises a lot of people. It looks like a classic Montana bar, but the food is legitimately great. When I first moved here, the Murray was the traditional fishing guide hangout, but over time the Mint has taken over that role. If you want to see where guides and long time Livingston locals actually go, this is the place.
Inside you will find neon lights over a historic bar, a lively local crowd, and the best men’s bathroom of any bar in southwest Montana. The Cuban Reuben is the sandwich I always recommend. Steaks, burgers, and bar plates are all solid.
https://www.themintbarandgrill.com
Fainting Goat Pub
The Fainting Goat is a great choice when you want something a little different in Livingston. It has traditional Irish meals, comfort food, and a good selection of beer. The crowd tends to be long time locals who give the place a relaxed community feel.
They often have low key live music on weekends. It never gets rowdy like the Murray. It is an easy place to unwind with a pint.
https://www.faintinggoatpub.com
Neptune’s Taphouse and Eatery
Neptune’s is a family friendly, lighter option that works well for groups. I usually take visiting family here because there is something for everyone. Sushi rolls, bowls, burgers, salads, and plenty of options for kids or picky eaters. It is bright, casual, and an easy “everyone is happy” place.
https://www.neptunestaphouse.com
Mark’s In & Out – Iconic Burger place
Mark’s In & Out is a summertime classic in Livingston. It’s only open during the warm months, and going there is almost a rite of passage. If you’re in town between spring and fall, most locals will ask if you made it to Mark’s — and honestly, you should.
It’s an old-school walk-up burger stand from the 1950s with fresh burgers, fries, tots, and shakes. There’s usually a busy line around lunch, but if you swing by during off-hours it moves fast and feels like the small-town Montana stop it’s always been.
Simple menu, great burgers, and a little slice of Livingston history. Perfect after a day on the Yellowstone or the spring creeks.
Bozeman | Lodging
Kimpton Armory Hotel – Upscale Downtown Bozeman
Kimpton Armory is Bozeman’s first luxury boutique hotel, set in the restored historic Armory building just off Main Street. It blends a walkable downtown location with high-end rooms, good onsite dining, and a year-round rooftop saltwater pool that looks out over the Bridgers. Guests can walk to restaurants, breweries, and shops, then return to a quiet, comfortable room. A great fit for couples, families, or anglers who want a polished in-town stay before or after days on the water.
https://www.armoryhotelbzn.com
Lewis & Clark Motel – Historic & Fun
The Lewis & Clark Motel is a classic Bozeman motor lodge with updated rooms that still keep their vintage character. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, hot tub, eucalyptus steam room, infrared saunas, and a light, healthy breakfast. It’s within easy walking distance of downtown restaurants and shops on Main Street. Reviewers love the friendly staff and the feeling of staying at a true Bozeman landmark.
https://lewisandclarkmotelbozeman.com
Field & Stream Lodge – Rustic & Adventure-Ready
Field & Stream Lodge offers a Big-Sky Montana lodge feel just a mile from downtown Bozeman. Rooms range from simple bunks to spacious suites, and the property features a large wood-beamed Great Room with a stone fireplace plus a 29,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard with fire pits and seating. Guests have easy access to Bozeman’s rivers, trailheads, and restaurants, along with an indoor pool, hot tub, on-site dining, and a small supply shop for last-minute gear.
https://www.fieldandstreamlodgeco.com/bozeman
Mountain Home Vacation Rentals (Bozeman)
Mountain Home offers several well-managed vacation rentals in and around Bozeman. These homes are clean, comfortable, and ideal for guests who want a bit more space and a quieter stay than the downtown hotels. With easy access to the Gallatin River, Yellowstone routes, and Bozeman’s restaurants and shops, it’s a dependable choice for anglers, families, and longer stays.
C’mon Inn Hotel & Suites – Budget-Minded Lodge Style
C’mon Inn is one of the better reviewed budget-friendly options in Bozeman. The interior has a lodge-style feel with indoor courtyards, multiple hot tubs, a pool, and a large stone fireplace. Rooms are simple and clean, and the hotel offers free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and plenty of parking. It’s a good fit for anglers or families who want an easy, affordable place to regroup after long days outside.
Bozeman | Dining
Blackbird
Blackbird is one of my first picks for a night out in Bozeman. Wood fired pizzas, roasted vegetables, handmade pasta, and a lively atmosphere. Always good without being too fancy.
Montana Ale Works
Ale Works is the classic Bozeman dinner spot for groups and families. Burgers, bowls, salads, and local beers. Everything is consistent and easy, and the atmosphere works for anyone.
https://www.montanaaleworks.com
Fielding’s – Kimpton Armory Hotel
Fielding’s is polished and comfortable with Montana inspired dishes and a clean, modern lodge feel. Great if you are staying downtown or want a dependable dinner before or after travel.
https://www.armoryhotelbzn.com/dining
Roost Fried Chicken
Roost serves excellent Nashville style fried chicken. Sandwiches, tenders, and sides. Fast, filling, and great when you want something simple and good.
https://www.roostfriedchicken.com
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