If you’re looking for things to do in Missoula, MT, you’ve come to the right place! Missoula is a vibrant and beautiful city that offers something for everyone. From outdoor activities to cultural attractions, there’s something for everyone in Missoula. This blog post is packed with information on the best things to do in town.
#1 Clark Fork Riverfront Trail
The river passes right through Missoula. This riverfront stroll is not only an introduction to MT’s natural beauty but also provides excellent opportunities for outdoor activities. There are several fishing spots along the trail and a few swimming holes. The trail is also popular with cyclists and runners. In the winter, the trail is used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
#2 Smokejumper Visitor Center
Smokejumpers are the brave people who parachute out of planes into remote areas to fight against wildfires. The site also functions as an operating base–so visitors can get insight into what goes down here while they’re still fresh (and smoke jumping!).
And for those unfamiliar with this challenging profession, there’s a visitor center that shines a light on their work by offering free 45-minute tours every day between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day!
#3 “M” Trail Hiking
Hiking in Missoula is a staple experience for visitors. The city has hundreds of acres to explore and more than enough mountains nearby. One with which climbing, ranging from after-work easy hikes all day long summit bids that cater to beginners and experienced experts alike!
The “M” Trail is one of Missoula’s most popular trails. It’s a moderate hike that takes about two hours to complete. The trail offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
#4 Rattlesnake National Recreation Area And Wilderness
The Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness is a network of trails, forests, and mountains located just outside Missoula. It is famous for hiking, camping, and fishing. Several scenic drives wind through the woods and mountains.
It is four miles north of Missoula and part of the much larger Lolo Forest. The forest also gives many equestrian paths leading down forest service roads into deep canyons or across wide-open fields. There’s even more to explore when groomed slopes encourage all sorts of Anderso skiing & snowshoeing!
#5 Caras Park
Caras Park is one of the most popular spaces in downtown Salt Lake City. With two large pavilions that can accommodate crowds for festive. The remarkable thing about Carasek park isn’t just its abundance or popularity but also how accessible they make their outdoor areas easy to enjoy sunny weather with picnic lunches while overlooking breathtaking views from high atop nearby mountains.
At Caras Park, there’s a Carousel for Missoula. This attraction consists of hand-carved horses and other animals. Volunteers created it with the help of many children excited about this project becoming a reality in their town. Next door to it, there’s also Dragon Hollow Playground, where adolescents can enjoy playing games!
#6 Visit Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation For Native Species
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a Missoula-based organization that works to conserve and protect elk and other wildlife habitats. The foundation offers programs and events open to the public, such as educational seminars, youth hunting camps, and conservation tours.
An excellent way to spend some time at this visitor center would be by checking out what they have on display. It includes mounted buckskin antlers or photos showing how much more cushiony padded feet are when walking across snow than those without them! They also offer binoculars for visitors while spotting wildlife in the nearby meadows and forests.
#7 Try Sking At Snowbowl
What’s not to love about a day on the mountain? Whether an experienced skier or snowboarder, there are plenty of runs for all skill levels. If it feels like your legs have taken over butting out on fresh powder, head down slopes with friends and family in tow!
Snowbowl is a ski area located just outside of Missoula. It is one of the most popular ski areas in Montana and offers a variety of trails for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. The area is also popular for its scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
#8 Missoula Art Museum
The Missoula Art Museum is an excellent place for anyone who wants to be inspired by art. Its permanent collections feature numerous works by artists from all over America. And there’s an emphasis on Montanans and other Western frontier creators like buffalo hunters or miners who made their mark in Montana’s history!
The museum also frequently has traveling exhibitions, so there’s always something new to see. They also have a hands-on studio area where visitors can try their hand at different art forms. Indeed a great place for anyone who loves art or wants to learn more about it!
#9 Enjoy Fly Fishing
Fly fishing in Missoula has been a way of life since the early days. Fly anglers can enjoy waters such as The Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River, or Blackfoot river; local outfitters offer half-day trips for beginners and full-day excursions if they want more time at their own pace.
The most popular type is usually an all-morning affair where you’ll get to cast into various streams along its course before taking off again after lunchtime. Some outfitters offer float trips down the river in a raft for those who want to try something new!
#10 Lolo National Forest
Montana’s Lolo National Forest is a two-million-acre preserve that surrounds the city of Missoula. The forest offers many activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
Four designated wilderness areas provide ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and campers alike to enjoy their time in nature away from civilization with all its distractions – no cars or humans nearby!
One of the most popular activities in the Lolo National Forest is hiking. There are over 600 miles of trails that wind through the forest. The trails range from easy to strenuous, so there is something for everyone.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Missoula, Montana! Whether you’re looking for a place to ski, snowboard, fish, hike, or enjoy the scenery, Missoula is the perfect place. Now let’s look at the best things to do in Naperville, Telluride, and Staten Island.