Missoula County Parks and Trails currently manages 91 parks and more than 40 miles of shared paths and trails; inventory figures may change over time. The offerings range from a paved river trail to a clearly measured mountain climb, and from art collections to natural history.

Trails from the River to the Summit

The Riverfront Trail runs flat and paved along the south side of the Clark Fork River. At about 1.5 miles, it stretches between Orange Street and Washington Grizzly Stadium; it is suitable for walking, running, cycling, and skating. A longer route with a stated distance is the 3.3-mile Grant Creek Trail, a paved bicycle and pedestrian connection through the Grant Creek neighborhood and adjacent public lands.

On Mount Sentinel, the M Trail climbs three-quarters of a mile to the white M, then continues another mile to the summit. Its route description also includes eleven switchbacks and 620 feet of elevation gain. Together, the flat river route and the climb with clearly defined sections offer options for different plans.

The parks also vary in scale: Fort Missoula Regional Park is a 156-acre park and sports complex. Marshall Mountain Park covers 480 acres and has more than 12 miles of trails; activities include mountain biking, backcountry skiing access, children’s camps, and hiking. Blue Mountain Recreation Area spans 4,900 acres and offers off-road trails for hikers, horseback riders, cyclists, wheelchair users, and ATV riders.

North of Missoula lies Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness, a 60,000-acre wilderness complex. Activities there include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and cycling. Its acreage and range of activities give a sense of scale distinct from the river trails or Mount Sentinel routes.

Discover History and Art

Travelers' Rest is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark. The visitor center and museum at Travelers' Rest State Park features replicas of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Salish culture, Indigenous American crafts, and a historic pioneer-era Main Street. More than 115 bird species have also been recorded within the park boundaries.

The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula interprets the history of Missoula County, Fort Missoula, and the timber products industry in western Montana. Its 32-acre grounds contain 13 historic structures. The Montana Museum of Art & Culture offers another perspective on regional history and art: it is one of Montana’s three state museums and holds nearly 12,000 objects spanning several thousand years of art history. Admission and tours are currently free.

The Missoula Art Museum is a contemporary art museum in a former Carnegie Library, with eight galleries. Admission is currently free. Its permanent collection includes more than 2,300 objects, among them the Contemporary American Indian Art Collection. A Carousel for Missoula is located in Caras Park in downtown Missoula. It is one of the first fully hand-carved carousels built in the United States since the Great Depression.

Science, Gardens, and Natural History

At the interactive science center spectrUM, the Discovery Bench offers free science activities Tuesday through Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.; no registration is required. Temporary closures may occur during exhibit installations. The Montana Natural History Center dedicates its museum to the flora, fauna, and natural history of western Montana.

The Nature Adventure Garden next to the river trail is a largely unstructured play area with boulders, hills, and shrubs. It also features an accessible path made of crushed granite and a sensory garden. At Fort Missoula Native Plant Garden, small paths wind through an outdoor learning space with native plants, pollinators, and birds. The RMEF Visitor Center adds another perspective with a scenic outdoor walking trail and interactive exhibits at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Conservation Education Center on elk ecology and natural history, as well as conservation.

Local Life and Practical Information

Missoula’s farmers markets offer local food, crafts, plants, and art. Cider is also part of the local food scene: Missoula cideries press locally grown apples into a variety of ciders. In the Missoula Valley, Interstate 90 runs east to west, while Montana Highway 93 runs north to south. Mountain Line operates daily on twelve different bus routes. If a specific bus trip is part of your plans, check the latest route information.

Discover more destinations: Missoula, Lolo, Seeley Lake, Clinton, Sanders, Big Horn County, Sheridan County, Chouteau County.

For the broader travel overview: Montana.