Bridger Mountains were named after one of the first white men to explore Yellowstone National Park, Jim Bridger. The explorer scouted many of the trails and knew the mountains well. At the age of 17, Jim Bridger was the youngest member of the Upper Missouri Expedition, the beginning of a long and colorful career in the mountains. Bridger rose to the status of the quintessential mountain man, guiding many through the area.

The Bridger Range (highest point: Sacagawea Peak 9665 ft/2945 m) is a subrange of the Rocky Mountains, in southern Montana in the United States. The range runs mostly in a north - south direction between Bozeman and Livingston and is separated from the Gallatin Range to the south by Bozeman Pass. Bozeman Pass (5712 ft/1,741 m) is a narrow pass that lies between the two aforementioned cities. Sacagawea Peak is a prominent peak visible to the northeast from Bozeman. Most of the range is within Gallatin National Forest. It's home to the Bridger Mountains National Recration Trail and Bridger Bowl Ski Area. Many recreational opportunites can be found in this scenic mountain range because ofits close proximity to Bozeman, yet this area retains it remoteness.