Big Sky trip planner

Big Sky is a census-designated place (CDP) in Gallatin and Madison counties in southwestern Montana. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 2,308. It is southwest of Bozeman. This unincorporated community straddles the two counties, is not considered a town, and has no town government. The primary industry of the area is tourism.Big Sky was the dream of television commentator Chet Huntley, a Montana native. Huntley spent his final years on the development of Big Sky. The name Big Sky comes from A. B. Guthrie’s popular 1947 novel. Construction began in 1971. The ski lifts, and a post office, opened in 1973.GeographyBig Sky is located at, approximately midway between West Yellowstone and Bozeman on U.S. Highway 191 and just from the northwestern border of Yellowstone National Park.The "Meadow" area of Big Sky lies in an alpine valley formed during the Cretaceous period. Initially called the "Gallatin Canyon Basin", the Meadow is braided with small rivers that channel mountain snow run-off. Fishing is permitted on all of these Gallatin feeders. Two ponds are found on the Middle Fork of the Gallatin River that bisects the Meadow, and fishing there is permitted for those 16 and younger. Since 1993, an innovative sewer system has protected the water in the area from sewage discharge. Several agencies, such as the Gallatin River Task Force, monitor the health of the rivers.