In Western Montana, Missoula is a university city with major mountain charm. It’ at the junction of nice trout rivers and a spirited cultural hot spot encircled by stunning wide-open spaces. Quick access to the outdoors is a shaping attraction of Missoula, as well as a good array of activities like fly fishing, hiking, and winter sports. Much of this access happens in Lolo National Forest that borders all sides of the town. On the far side the outdoors, Missoula incorporates a distinct cultural appeal that’ fun to experience. Alongside a vibrant downtown full of historic architecture, the city offers many retailers like free museums, landmark carousels, associated grandiose theaters. Missoula’ history is additionally readily on show at places just like the Historical museum at Fort Missoula.

The Clark Fork river runs all through Missoula, and therefore the city’ paved Clark Fork river trail spans each banks in either direction from downtown. This Riverfront path is that the city’ main pedestrian passageway and an excellent place for an introduction to Missoula’ natural beauty. From downtown or the Hip Strip, users will access the Riverfront path on either the north or south bank, with Higgins Street, Orange Street, and the Madison Street Bridge linking both sides. The path connects to many different attractions on its route, as well as Caras Park, the Montana natural history Center, and therefore the University of Montana campus.

Missoula is home to the largest smokejumper facility within the country. For those unfamiliar with the term, smokejumpers are the brave men and women who parachute out of planes into remote areas to fight wildfires. And therefore the Smokejumper traveler Center shines a light on this difficult profession with tours of the facility. The Smokejumper traveler Center is northwest of downtown on Broadway Street, close to the Missoula International Airport. The traveler Center offers free 45-minute tours on a daily basis between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The location could be a functioning smokejumping base, and guests are allowed a sneak peek into the daily operations.

The Rattlesnake National Recreation area is a four-mile drive north of Missoula and a part of the much larger Lolo National Forest. It offers a surplus of hiking and mountain biking trails, beside several equestrian routes. The rattler corridor trail was once a functioning forest local street and is currently the most hiking route. Many different trails stem from this wide and flat path, resulting in areas like Spring flume and Sawmill Gulch. The rattler is additionally fashionable among fishing enthusiasts thanks to its several lakes, ponds, and Clear Mountain streams with exuberant trout (a state permit is required). The fun is way from over return winter, once kempt and backcountry routes encourage all styles of sport and snowshoeing.

Caras Park is a centerpiece outdoor area of the city, settled on the Clark Fork Riverfront Trail. It’ home to many events every year. The two giant pavilions at the park are excellent for the crowds of individuals that gather for gay celebrations like symphony performances, Downtown Tonight gatherings, and therefore the annual Pray for Snow Party in October. Different downtown events, just like the Clark Fork Market, stem from this attractive community space. And once the realm isn’t in use, it provides pretty public grounds for enjoying sunny weather and picnic lunches. Adjacent to the pavilions, guests here even have an ideal vantage point to look at surfers effort Brennan’ Wave on the Clark Fork River.

Opened in 1921, the historic Wilma Theatre has long been one of Missoula’ most significant cultural venues. Engineered by leading citizen William Simons and dedicated to his wife, the opera singer Edna Wilma Simons, this eight-story facility was the city’ first steel-framed high-rise. Today, it’ a beacon of downtown, settled next to the Higgins Street Bridge and adjacent to Caras Park. This historic theater is commonly ground zero for Missoula’ biggest cultural events. Film festivals, literary celebrations, and a few of the largest names in music and entertainment all realize a stage at the Wilma, aboard many residents and tourists that pack the historic theater.

One of several conservation groups headquartered in Missoula, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) strives to guard habitat for elk and other wildlife through land protection and land management. The muse provides some ways to induce committed the method and study the natural surrounds that elk decision home. The Elk Country traveler Center pass by the RMEF could be a excellent place to go to interact with the foundation, and features immersive exhibits and knowledge to find Elk Country. The visitor center is open seven days a week between June and October, with additional limited hours the remainder of the year. It’ settled off Grant Creek Road, a five-mile drive northwest of downtown.


For those trying to find a bit downhill action, the Montana Snowbowl is a 12-mile drive northwest of Missoula and a local favorite winter sports destination. It’ additionally one in all Montana’ best ski resorts. It’ significantly popular among seasoned snowboarders and skiers in search of longer runs, like the renowned West Bowl. With 2 lifts and a basic house and hotel, Snowbowl provides a more cost-effective possibility than a number of the bigger resorts in Montana. The mountain also incorporates a real community feel as a well-liked spot for locals. This becomes most apparent at the end of the day with après-ski activities.