Recreation

Click here for pdf map of Missoula Parks

If you are looking for outdoor adventure, then Missoula, Montana is the place for you! Recreational opportunities are abundant and are complimented by millions of acres of wilderness and recreation areas. You can enjoy everything from the peaceful solitude of fishing, playing the perfect golf game or the thrill  of whitewater rafting and even experience the ultimate  ski adventure. Wildlife, deep snow and beautiful scenery are just a couple of things that you will find right outside your door.

Mountain Biking

Biking is a wonderful way to see, first hand, the mountains and nature  offered in the valley. Whether biking at a leisurely pace on city trails, touring long distances on highways and backroads or attacking steep mountain terrain;  Missoula has something to offer every skill level.
For further information please visit  www.missoulabike.org

Skiing

Missoula’s central location offers accessibility to numerous ski hills, all located with a few minutes to a few hours drive. Montana Snowbowl is Missoula’s local ski area and within a one to five hour drive some of the other skiing opportunities include Whitefish Mountain Resort,  Big Sky Resort,  Lost
Trail Powder Mountain, Lookout  Pass Ski Area and Discovery Basin. For a full listing of general winter activities, please visit the official state travel information site at www.wintermt.com.
Big Sky Resort (800) 548-4486
Discovery Basin (888) 678-7669
Lookout Pass Ski Area (208) 744-1301
Lost Trail Powder Mountain (406) 821-3211
Montana Snowbowl (406) 549-9777
Whitefish Mountain Resort (877) 754-3474

Hiking

With the vast mountains that are a part of the Montana and Missoula landscape  there are an abundance of hiking trails in every direction.  Missoula offers the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area just to the north of town, the Sapphire Mountains  stretching far south of town, and many other areas of the Lolo National  Forest that are within driving distance. For a full list of trails in and around the Missoula area please visit www.missoulian.com/app/hikebike

Fishing and Hunting

Missoula and our surrounding areas have plenty to offer if you are an angler or a hunter. With unlimited opportunity on Missoula’s three rivers and surrounding areas that are open to big game hunting, including elk, deer, big horn sheep and moose.  For full licensing, regulation information and other details please contact Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks at www.fwp.mt.gov or call (406) 542-5500.

Cross-Country Skiing

Missoula has several opportunities for cross-country skiing. Trails surrounding the area include:  Rattlesnake Wilderness Area just north of town, Pattee  Canyon to the southeast, Garnet Ghost Town, the Holland  Lake area and the Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails.
Missoula Parks & Recreation
www.destinationmissoula.org/x-country
(800) 526-3465

Whitewater Rafting

The area offers adventures on the Blackfoot River, Clark Fork River at the Alberton  Gorge and the Bitterroot Rivers. The Lochsa River is located 55 miles South of Missoula. River adventures are available ranging from a relaxing evening float to a day filled with exhilarating rapids. Not only will you enjoy breathtaking scenery, but you will also have an exciting day.  For more on river regulations, please visit the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Clark Fork River Recreation Information at www.fwp.mt.gov or to find rafting guide companies please consult the local yellow pages or the internet.

Horseback Riding

There are many great ways to see Montana; one of those is to go horseback riding – horses can be used for overnight trips, day trips, camping, and just for fun. Montana offers an abundance of maintained trails. Many times horses can get you to places you would not normally be able to see on foot, or by a motorized vehicle. There are many associations in the area including the Backcountry Horsemen www.bchmt.org, which is a great organization to help with any backcountry questions.
For more information on trails, you may contact the U.S. Forest Service at http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/activities/horsebackRiding.html or call (406) 444-2074

River Floating

If whitewater rafting is not your style, there are many guided and unguided  trips that you can take part in on the Blackfoot, Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers. Floating our local rivers will give you an opportunity to see wildlife up close and take in the beautiful scenery along any of our major rivers. The Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers are especially good for floating on innertubes, as the water tends to be a bit slower later in the year.  For river conditions and closures, please visit the Fish Wildlife and Parks Website at http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/activities/boating/default.html