GVLT celebrates trail system additions, parking lot expansion at Painted Hills

EBS STAFF

Editor’s note: Outlaw Partners, the developer mentioned in this story, is the publisher of Explore Big Sky.

Bozeman trail users have a reason to celebrate as Painted Hills in south Bozeman off Kagy Boulevard received an expansion. On Nov. 4, 1.5 miles of new trail connecting into the Painted Hills and Highland Glen Nature Preserve trail systems, as well as a new 10-car parking lot opened to the public. The new stretch, named the Sandhill Trail, was developed in conjunction with a new residential community by the same name.

Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Outlaw Partners and Bridger Development Strategies partnered to make the expansion possible to the system already well-loved by bikers, hikers and trail runners – the new trail attracted over 50,000 visitors in 2024, according to data from GVLT. The Sandhill Trail is accessible from Kagy Boulevard, directly adjacent to the current Painted Hills trailhead. The trail provides an alternative route to the section of the Painted Hills Trail that travels through land owned by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, creating a new three-mile loop option within the existing trail in the Painted Hills neighborhood.

“We were very pleased with how this project turned out,” said Matt Parsons, trails director for GVLT. “GVLT was able to work with the developers to seamlessly integrate the Sandhill Trail into our existing trail system south of Bozeman. This will be a nice route for a lunchtime bike ride or an evening stroll.”

GVLT utilized portions of the Sandhill community to reroute a section of the Painted Hills Trail, replacing steep switchbacks with a longer, more gradual climb. A culvert was also replaced with a new boardwalk to better protect the existing wetland, and a new bicycle rollover was installed at the north gate allowing bikers to avoid dismounting their bikes.

“We were committed to preserving as much of the natural habitat and riparian areas as possible while enhancing access to outdoor recreation opportunities on the property,” said Eric Ladd, CEO of Outlaw Partners, developer of Sandhill. “We worked closely with GVLT and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to ensure that the Sandhill Trail has a light touch on the land.”

The Painted Hills Trail enhancements were funded in part by a Montana FWPRecreational Trails Program grant and Athletic Brewing’s “Two for the Trails” program. It will be maintained by the Sandhill homeowner’s association.