Missoula

Around Missoula

Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Montana · 127k people

Missoula

“Garden City”, “Zoo Town”, “River City”

River, mountains, and a whole lot of huckleberry.

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Welcome to Missoula, where the Clark Fork runs through town and the mountains are always calling. Grab a huckleberry treat and join a float, or just find a trail and breathe in that mountain air.

Clubs for Missoula

No clubs for Missoula yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Missoula. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Missoula. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Caras Park Downtown park along the Clark Fork, hosts festivals.
  • The M Trail Iconic hike up Mount Sentinel with a large white M.
  • Missoula Farmers Market Saturday market at the fairgrounds, a local staple.
  • Missoula Art Museum Contemporary art in a historic downtown building.
  • Montana Natural History Center Nature center with exhibits on local ecology.
  • A Carousel for Missoula Hand-carved carousel in Caras Park, loved by families.
  • Outdoors Float the Clark Fork River
  • Outdoors Hike the M Trail
  • With kids Ride the carousel at Caras Park
  • With kids Explore the Montana Natural History Center
  • Evenings Catch a show at the Top Hat
  • Evenings Sample brews at KettleHouse
  • Locals love Brew pubs
  • Locals love Farmers markets

Through the year

  • Out to Lunch Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts in Caras Park every Wednesday during summer.
  • Grizzly Football Home Games Fall Montana Grizzlies games at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, a fall tradition.
  • International Wildlife Film Festival May One of the longest-running wildlife film festivals in the world.
  • River City Roots Festival September Downtown music and arts festival with local and national acts.
  • Missoula Marathon June/July Scenic marathon through the valley, drawing runners from across the country.

Missoula has four distinct seasons: cold, foggy winters with inversions; warm, dry summers; and quick transitions in spring and fall. Best: Late spring through early fall, when the mountains are green and the river is warm.

Talk like a local

“The M”
The trail up Mount Sentinel with the big white M.
“Griz”
The Montana Grizzlies sports teams.
“Clark Fork”
The river running through town.
“Bitterroot”
The valley and river south of town.

Getaways

  • Glacier National Park Spectacular mountain scenery, about 2.5 hours north.
  • Flathead Lake Large freshwater lake with boating and cherry orchards.
  • Butte Historic mining town with a rich industrial past.
  • Helena State capital with hiking and history.

Local flavour

Teams

  • Montana Grizzlies NCAA Division I
  • Missoula PaddleHeads Pioneer League

Eat and drink

  • Huckleberry pie Wild huckleberries are a regional obsession; served in pies, jams, and ice cream.
  • Bison burger A staple of Montana grill culture, often with local cheese and huckleberry barbecue sauce.
  • Moose Drool brown ale Big Sky Brewing's flagship beer, a local icon brewed in Missoula.
  • Smoked trout Fresh trout from the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers, smoked and served at local eateries.

Where people go

  • Riverfront trails Paved and dirt paths along the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers, used for walking, biking, and fishing.
  • The M trail A steep hike up Mount Sentinel to a giant white 'M' overlooking the valley.
  • Brew pubs Missoula has one of the highest breweries per capita in the US; taprooms are community hubs.
  • Farmers markets Seasonal markets with local produce, huckleberries, crafts, and food trucks.
  • Wilderness access Lolo National Forest, Rattlesnake Wilderness, and the Bitterroot Mountains are minutes from downtown.

Heritage and traditions

Missoula is proud of its stunning natural setting at the confluence of five valleys, its vibrant arts and literary scene, and its deep-rooted Native American heritage, all while maintaining a friendly, outdoorsy community.

This time of year in Missoula

  • Hunting season October Fall marks deer and elk hunting, a major tradition for many families.

Say it like a local: “Howdy” — Hello

Festivals

  • Big Sky Documentary Film Festival February One of the largest documentary film festivals in the US, held each February.
  • Missoula Celtic Festival May Celebrates Celtic music, dance, and heritage with performances and workshops.
  • Garden City Brewfest April A beer tasting event featuring local and regional craft breweries.
  • Flathead Cherry Festival July Held in Polson, celebrates the local cherry harvest with food, music, and a parade.
  • Missoula Festival of Trees December A holiday tradition with decorated trees, entertainment, and community gatherings.
  • Montana Book Festival September A literary festival with author readings, panels, and book signings.

Landmarks with a story

  • Fort Missoula Historic Museum A 19th-century military fort that later served as an internment camp; now a museum.
  • St. Francis Xavier Church A historic Catholic church in downtown Missoula, known for its architecture and community.
  • The People's Center A museum and cultural center in Pablo, dedicated to the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreille tribes.
  • St. Ignatius Mission A historic mission in the Mission Valley, famous for its hand-painted murals and architecture.
  • Daly Mansion A grand 19th-century mansion in Hamilton, once home to copper magnate Marcus Daly.
  • Ravalli County Museum Located in Hamilton, this museum showcases the history of the Bitterroot Valley.

Food traditions

  • Huckleberry milkshakes A summer staple at local ice cream shops, made from wild huckleberries picked in the mountains.
  • Flathead cherries The Mission Valley around Polson grows sweet cherries, celebrated with a festival and enjoyed fresh or in pies.
  • Fry bread and Indian tacos A staple at powwows on the Flathead Reservation, often topped with ground beef, beans, and vegetables.
  • Smoked trout Locals smoke trout caught from the Clark Fork or Bitterroot rivers, a traditional way to preserve and enjoy the catch.
  • Bison burgers Ground bison from local ranches is a lean, flavorful alternative to beef, popular at tailgates and restaurants.

Music and arts

  • Folk and bluegrass music scene Venues like the Top Hat and local festivals feature a strong folk and bluegrass tradition.
  • Missoula Symphony Orchestra A professional orchestra performing classical and contemporary works.
  • Montana Repertory Theatre A professional theater company based at the University of Montana.
  • Native American beadwork and drumming On the Flathead Reservation, traditional arts are kept alive through powwows and cultural events.

A little history

  • 1855 Hellgate Treaty
  • 1860 Missoula founded as a trading post
  • 1893 University of Montana established
  • 1940s Smokejumper base established
  • 1970s-1980s Clark Fork River cleanup efforts

Rivalries

  • Griz vs. Bobcats Montana Grizzlies vs. Montana State Bobcats, the biggest football rivalry in the state.
  • Griz vs. Vandals Montana Grizzlies vs. Idaho Vandals, a regional football rivalry.
  • Game day Grizzly football tailgates
  • Game day Griz-Cat rivalry
  • Outdoors Hike the Blue Mountain
  • Outdoors Cross-country ski at Lolo Pass
  • With kids Visit the Smokejumper Visitor Center
  • With kids Attend a Missoula Children's Theatre production

Locals speak with a mild Western accent, often using 'pop' for soda and 'you bet' for 'you're welcome'. They affectionately refer to the mountain as 'the M' and the river as 'the Clark Fork'.

Only here

  • The hand-carved carousel at Caras Park was built by volunteers over 10 years.
  • Missoula is home to the largest smokejumper training base in the U.S.
  • The 'M' on Mount Sentinel is a concrete structure that students have painted throughout history.
  • The International Wildlife Film Festival is the oldest wildlife film festival in the world.
New here? A few tips
  • Learn to pronounce 'Missoula' as 'mi-ZOO-la' – it's a common mistake.
  • Dress in layers; weather can change dramatically in a single day.
  • Get a bike – the riverfront trail is a great way to explore the city.
  • Try huckleberry everything – from milkshakes to jam, it's a local obsession.
  • Be careful near rivers; they are cold and swift, even in summer.

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Nearby

Every area
Bitterroot ValleyMontanaMontana's garden, under the Bitterroot peaks.Mission ValleyMontanaWhere the Missions meet the lakeAnaconda–Deer LodgeMontanaWhere copper history meets sapphire skiesButteMontanaWhere the mountains are steep and the pasties are hotKalispellMontanaGateway to Glacier, heart of the FlatheadHelenaMontanaWhere the Rockies meet the MissouriGreat FallsMontanaWhere the prairie meets the riverCoeur d'AleneIdahoBlue water, big skies, and mountain calm.

Missoula, MT. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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