Missoula Area
Three recreation areas are conveniently located just outside the Missoula city limits and offer a variety of opportunities for locals and visitors including picnicking, trails for day hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
General Information
For more information on recreation opportunities please contact the Missoula Ranger District at 406-329-3814.
Passes & Permits
Please visit the Forest's Alerts page for information on restrictions, in particular please review the Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order to help reduce the likelihood of human-to-bear conflicts.
Recreation Sites
Blue Mountain Recreation Area
Site Open
This 4,900-acre recreation area includes 41 miles of system trails and is a popular spot for locals and visitors because of its proximity to the city of Missoula and the views of the Missoula valley,…
Boulder Lake Trail #333
This trail winds through a variety of environments including an area burned from a wildfire 2003, forested areas, a creek, open ground, and alpine forest. The trail leads up to Boulder Point at 7100…
Maclay Flat Nature Trail
The Maclay Flat Nature Trail is a great place to birdwatch or to take a quiet walk along the Bitterroot River. Maclay Flat is located on the west edge of Missoula, making this a local favorite spot…
Montana Snowbowl
Montana Snowbowl is a year-round resort, offering skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and folfing, lift assisted hiking and mountain biking in the summer. For more information visit Montana…
Pattee Canyon Disc Golf Course
Site Open
Near the picnic area and parking lot, this basket course is wooded, fairly level, and beginner friendly.
Pattee Canyon Group Picnic Area
Site Closed
Set in a wooded canyon east of Missoula at 4,100 feet, the Pattee Canyon Picnic Area is a popular spot for family picnics. Because this picnic area is in the Pattee Canyon Recreation Area, there's…
Pattee Canyon Recreation Area
Site Open
This 3,200-acre recreation area on the east side of Missoula is a popular getaway for locals and visitors. The extensive, 27 miles of system trails is open year-round to non-motorized use and…
Rattlesnake Horse Trail #517A (Stuart Peak)
This trailhead is on the east side of Rattlesnake Creek and provides adequate parking for horse trailers. The trail leads north for about 0.25 mile and then joins up with the main Rattlesnake…
Rattlesnake Main Trail #515
Close to Missoula, this trail is popular for day hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking. The trail was an old logging road so it is wide, has a relatively gentle grade for the first 9 miles, and…
Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness
Site Open
Established by Congress in 1980, the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness is located on the Missoula Ranger District, northwest of Missoula and southwest of Seeley Lake, Montana. This…