Things to Do around Missoula
Missoula is a region in western Montana, nestled in the heart of the Northern Rockies where five valleys converge. The area is characterized by its diverse landscapes, including the meandering Clark Fork River, surrounding mountain ranges like the Bitterroot Range and Rattlesnake Wilderness, and extensive forests. This varied terrain provides a natural setting for several outdoor sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more.
Things to Do in Missoula
Missoula offers a wide array of outdoor activities, with more than 200 routes available for exploration. These routes cater to several sports, including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, jogging, and gravel biking. For hikers, the region provides trails ranging from urban paths along the Clark Fork River to more challenging ascents in the surrounding mountains; explore options in the Hiking around Missoula guide. Cyclists can find extensive networks for road and touring cycling, such as the Bitterroot Trail, as well as diverse mountain biking trails in areas like Pattee Canyon and the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area; detailed routes are available in guides like Road Cycling Routes around Missoula and MTB Trails around Missoula. More than 2,000 visitors have shared their experiences on these routes, resulting in an average rating of 4.96 out of 5 stars.
124
Routes
5
(20)
Average rating
1759
People visited
18
hikers
12.8km
04:58
1,110m
590m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
2
hikers
13.0km
04:03
540m
380m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
hikers
14.4km
04:14
420m
420m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.64km
00:56
20m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(4)
38
riders
41.6km
02:05
120m
120m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
29
riders
34.5km
01:57
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
15
riders
50.9km
02:08
190m
190m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
11
riders
155km
07:48
370m
370m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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25
riders
29.1km
02:18
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
24
riders
36.7km
02:56
620m
620m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
14
riders
18.4km
02:03
530m
530m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
3
riders
38.2km
03:02
470m
470m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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15
riders
20.3km
02:22
760m
750m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
3
riders
13.2km
01:31
440m
440m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
27
riders
16.3km
01:40
420m
420m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
5.0
(1)
27
riders
24.3km
02:20
580m
580m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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35
runners
7.34km
00:49
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
32
runners
10.8km
01:10
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
32
runners
14.0km
01:31
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
25
runners
9.45km
01:14
260m
260m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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13
riders
27.8km
02:26
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
20
riders
24.2km
01:40
320m
320m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
20
riders
30.3km
01:59
340m
340m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
17
riders
42.3km
03:03
650m
660m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Top attractions in the region
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Most popular attractions in Missoula
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Missoula?
Missoula offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Road cycling, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features over 220 routes across these sports, catering to various interests and skill levels.
What types of terrain characterize the Missoula region?
Missoula is situated in the Northern Rockies where five valleys converge, surrounded by mountains like the Rattlesnake Wilderness and Bitterroot Range. The landscape includes the Clark Fork River, extensive forests, and diverse terrain from urban paths to mountain trails.
What are the most popular hiking areas in Missoula?
Popular hiking areas include the Mount Sentinel 'M' Trail, offering views of the city, and the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness with its extensive trail system. Pattee Canyon and Blue Mountain Recreation Area also provide numerous hiking opportunities. For more options, see the Hiking around Missoula guide.
Are there easy hiking trails in Missoula?
Missoula offers several easy hiking options suitable for various fitness levels. Trails along the Clark Fork River provide gentle paths, and specific routes within areas like Pattee Canyon are also less strenuous. The Easy hikes around Missoula guide details these routes.
What are the best road cycling routes in Missoula?
The Bitterroot Trail is a prominent 45-mile (72 km) paved path extending from Missoula to Hamilton. Within the city, the Clark Fork Riverfront Trail and the Milwaukee Trail offer excellent road cycling options. More routes are available in the Road Cycling Routes around Missoula guide.
Where can I find mountain biking trails in Missoula?
Missoula provides mountain biking trails in areas such as Pattee Canyon Recreation Area, known for trails like the Sam Braxton Trail. The Rattlesnake National Recreation Area features trails like the Main Travel Corridor, and Blue Mountain Recreation Area also offers diverse mountain biking. Consult the MTB Trails around Missoula guide for detailed routes.
Are there family-friendly outdoor activities in Missoula?
Missoula offers various family-friendly outdoor activities, including easy hiking trails and paved cycling paths suitable for all ages. Many trails along the Clark Fork River and within city parks provide accessible options for families. The Easy hikes around Missoula guide can help identify suitable routes.
Are there dog-friendly trails in Missoula?
Many trails in Missoula and the surrounding areas are dog-friendly, though leash regulations and specific area restrictions may apply. Areas like Pattee Canyon and parts of the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area generally welcome dogs. It is advisable to check local regulations for specific trails.
How popular is Missoula for outdoor activities on komoot?
Missoula is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2,700 visitors having explored its routes. The region features over 220 routes, which have an average rating of 4.96 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction.
What komoot guides are available for Missoula?
Komoot offers several guides for Missoula, including Hiking around Missoula, Easy hikes around Missoula, Road Cycling Routes around Missoula, Cycling around Missoula, MTB Trails around Missoula, Running Trails around Missoula, and Gravel biking around Missoula.
How can I contact Missoula's official tourism organization?
The official tourism organization for Missoula is Destination Missoula. Their website is destinationmissoula.org. They can also be reached by phone at 1-800-526-3465 or 406-532-3250.
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