Where is Big Sky, Montana, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Big Sky Located? - Big Sky is a city located in the Gallatin and Madison County of Montana, United States. Big Sky lies between 42.7596897 Degrees North latitudes and 105.3822069 Degrees West longitudes.

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Big Sky Map, Montana, USA

Where is Big Sky?: The Google Map showing the location of Big Sky in the U.S. state of Montana.

Where is Big Sky Located?

Big Sky is a city located in the Gallatin and Madison County of Montana, United States. Big Sky lies between 42.7596897 Degrees North latitudes and 105.3822069 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Big Sky city is 3591 people and the city has a total area of 120 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Big Sky, Montana Quick Facts

FactDetails
CommunityBig Sky (Census-Designated Place)
CountiesGallatin County and Madison County
StateMontana
State CapitalHelena
CountryUnited States
US RegionWest
Latitude45.2847°N
Longitude111.3683°W
Elevation7,181 ft (2,189 m)
Land Area100.82 sq mi
Water Area0.15 sq mi
Total Area100.97 sq mi
Population (Census 2020)3,591
Population DensityApproximately 36 per sq mi
ZIP Code59716
Area Code406
Time Zone StandardMountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7)
Time Zone DaylightMountain Daylight Time (MDT, UTC-6)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code30-06220
Congressional DistrictMontana's 1st Congressional District

Nearby Cities and Communities to Big Sky, Montana

  • Gallatin Gateway, Montana - 18 mi North
  • West Yellowstone, Montana - 48 mi South
  • Bozeman, Montana - 45 mi North
  • Belgrade, Montana - 54 mi North
  • Ennis, Montana - 45 mi West
  • Three Forks, Montana - 60 mi Northwest
  • Livingston, Montana - 73 mi Northeast
  • Virginia City, Montana - 72 mi West
  • Butte, Montana - 93 mi West
  • Helena, Montana - 166 mi Northwest

Big Sky, Montana Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Precipitation (in)
January2762.4
April48232.1
July77421.3
October54271.6
Annual522424.0
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate ClassificationSubarctic (Köppen Dfc)
Annual PrecipitationApproximately 24 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysAbout 180 days
Severe Weather RiskLow - Heavy mountain snowfall, cold winters and occasional summer thunderstorms
Annual SnowfallApproximately 160 inches in the community, with significantly higher totals at higher elevations

Driving Distances from Big Sky, Montana

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
Gallatin GatewayMontana1825 min
BozemanMontana451 hr
EnnisMontana451 hr
West YellowstoneMontana481 hr
BelgradeMontana541 hr 10 min
Three ForksMontana601 hr 15 min
LivingstonMontana731 hr 30 min
Virginia CityMontana721 hr 35 min
ButteMontana931 hr 45 min
HelenaMontana1662 hr 45 min

Transportation and Connectivity in Big Sky, Montana

TransportationDetails
Airport NameBozeman Yellowstone International Airport
IATA CodeBZN
Local AirportEnnis-Big Sky Airport (general aviation)
Major HighwaysU.S. Highway 191 and Montana Highway 64
Rail ServiceNo passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station at Shelby, Montana
Local TransportationSkyline Bus, resort shuttles and private transportation
  • U.S. Highway 191 is the primary route connecting Big Sky with Bozeman to the north and Yellowstone National Park to the south.
  • Montana Highway 64 provides direct access to Big Sky Resort, Moonlight Basin and surrounding mountain communities.
  • Skyline Bus offers free public transportation within Big Sky and seasonal connections throughout the resort area.
  • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, approximately 47 miles north, provides year-round commercial flights to major U.S. cities.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Big Sky, Montana

LandmarkType
Big Sky ResortSki Resort
Lone PeakMountain Peak
Ousel Falls Park and TrailWaterfall and Hiking Area
Beehive Basin TrailHiking Trail
Gallatin RiverRiver Recreation Area
Yellowstone National ParkNational Park
Big Sky Town CenterShopping and Entertainment District
Spanish Peaks Mountain ClubPrivate Mountain Club
Gallatin National ForestNational Forest
Lone Mountain RanchHistoric Guest Ranch

Colleges and Universities in Big Sky, Montana

InstitutionTypeLevelNotable For
Montana State UniversityPublicResearch UniversityEngineering, agriculture and environmental sciences
Gallatin College Montana State UniversityPublicCommunity CollegeCareer and technical education
University of MontanaPublicResearch UniversityForestry, wildlife biology and liberal arts
University of ProvidencePrivateUniversityBusiness, healthcare and education
Carroll CollegePrivateCollegeLiberal arts and pre-professional programs
Montana Technological UniversityPublicUniversityEngineering, mining and applied sciences

Waterbodies in Big Sky, Montana

Gallatin River, Middle Fork Gallatin River, West Fork Gallatin River, Moose Creek, Beehive Basin Creek, Hebgen Lake, Madison River, Yellowstone River, Hyalite Reservoir, Lava Lake.

Golf Courses in Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky Golf Course, Spanish Peaks Mountain Club Golf Course, Moonlight Basin Golf Course, Black Bull Golf Community, Riverside Country Club, Bridger Creek Golf Course, Cottonwood Hills Golf Club, Madison Meadows Golf Course.

Big Sky, Montana - Key Historical Facts

  • Big Sky was established as a planned mountain resort community in the early 1970s following the development of Big Sky Resort by broadcaster Chet Huntley.
  • The area's economy quickly grew around skiing, tourism and outdoor recreation, benefiting from its location between Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park.
  • Over the decades, Big Sky expanded with residential neighborhoods, luxury lodging, golf courses and year-round recreational facilities.
  • The community became internationally recognized for its extensive ski terrain centered on Lone Peak, one of North America's premier skiing destinations.
  • Outdoor activities including hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking and wildlife viewing have helped transform Big Sky into a four-season destination.
  • Today, Big Sky is known for world-class skiing, breathtaking mountain scenery, luxury resorts and convenient access to Yellowstone National Park and the Gallatin National Forest.

References

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