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 trying to catch a fish, playing the perfect golf game, 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. If you are one of the lucky ones that know how vital recreation is to the quality of life, you will surely fit in Missoula, Montana.
Mountain Biking
A wonderful way to see first hand the mountains and nature offered in the valley. Missoula and its surrounding communities offer numerous trails in the area. With lengths consisting of 2-20 plus miles no matter how avid a biker you are there is a trail for every type of experience level.
For further information please visit www.missoulabike.org
Skiing
With Missoula’s central location, skier’s are able to access numerous ski hills right in Missoula or within 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 Big Mountain Resort, Big Sky Resort, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Lookout Pass Ski Area and Discovery Basin. For a full listing of general winter activities and please visit the official state travel information site at www.wintermt.com.
Montana Snowbowl (406) 549-9777
Whitefish Mountain Resort (877) 754-3474
Big Sky Ski Resort (406) 995-8000
Lost Trail Powder Mountain (406) 821-3211
Lookout Pass Ski Area (208) 744-1301
Discovery Basin (406) 563-2184
Hiking
With the vast mountains that are a part of the Montana and Missoula landscape there are an abundance of hiking trails no matter what direction you go. 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, Garnet Ghost Town, East of Town, Holland Lake, East of Town, Lolo Pass, south of town and Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails East of town. Missoula Parks & Recreation www.missoulaparks.org; (406) 721-7275
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. Some of these locations offer class III and IV rapids. River adventures are available ranging from a relaxing evening float, to a day filled with exhilarating rapids. Not only will you have 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 www.fs.fed.us/recreation/map or call (406) 329-3750.
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 River, Clark Fork River, 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 & 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
Want a hard copy of the Missoula Relocation Guide and/or Chamber Directory?
