Things To Do
Download a Trail App!
If you're thinking of hiking, biking, running, or otherwise getting out on any of the many local trail systems while you're here, we recommend downloading a trail app on your phone. There are a number of free options that come with great information and will be a huge support in helping you get out and enjoy all that Missoula has to offer! We recommend: Gaia, Trail Forks (esp. good for mtn biking), and All Trails. All of these apps have free versions.
Rent a Bike at Spotted Dog Cycles
Rent a bike to get around for the weekend. Spotted Dog has lots of bike styles and sizes to suit your needs - from town cruisers to full mountain bikes. We recommend reserving in advance to make sure you can get the style and size you need.
Rattlesnake Recreation Area
Just 10 minutes north of town, this area is full of trails for casual walking, hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. The Rattlesnake Main Corridor is pretty flat and great for a casual stroll and there are dozens of other more adventurous trails. Emily spends endless hours on these trails, so reach out if you want a recommendation!
Pattee Canyon Recreation Area
Another trail system close to town - about 15 minutes from downtown to the main trailhead and parking. There's a range of trail options from flat and shorter length like the picnic loop, to the rolling Sam Braxton trail, and dozens of other options north and south of the parking lot.
Blue Mountain Recreation Area
Oh look! Another local trail system. This one is south of downtown about 20 mins by car and also has a great range of trail options for different ability levels and lengths. There's some great more technical mtn biking here if you're into drops and jumps.
Bitterroot Valley Trails
Looking to explore a little further away? The Bitterroot Valley is just south of Missoula on US93. There are dozens of beautiful hikes up drainages and to overlooks. June is probably a little too early to summit any peaks (too much snow still hanging around), but no shortage of other beautiful views to be had. Check out one of the trail apps that we recommended or send us a note - we're happy to share some of our favorites!
Saturday Farmers Markets
Missoula has multiple farmers markets downtown on Saturday mornings in the summer. Wander downtown for an iced coffee, breakfast sandwich, and endless local produce. Some of the markets also have crafts and other handmade local goods.
Coffee Shops & Breweries
Not as much of an outdoor person? Or looking for a place to fuel up or wind down before/after an adventure? Missoula is home to dozens of amazing coffee shops and breweries. We recommend Le Petit, Funk It, and Bernice's Bakery for coffee and pastries, and Draught Works or Dram Shop for a beer. More of a cocktails person? Montgomery Distillery is absolutely the best place to go.
CSKT Bison Range
This is a great choice for a day trip. The drive to, from, and through the Bison Range is beautiful and you're sure to see dozens of bison along with other types of wildlife within the range. Checkout the visitor's center while you're there for some great mini exhibits.
Montana Snowbowl
Snowbowl usually opens for summer in late June, just in time for wedding weekend! It's a great spot for accessible outdoor fun. Activity options include: a scenic lift ride for great views of the Missoula valley (you can ride it up & back down, or hop off at the top and hike down), mountain biking either via lift access or huffing your way up to the top for a fun ride down Beargrass Highway, zip lining, disc golf, hiking, and maybe even some wild huckleberry picking. You can also find some of the best pizza in the area inside at the lodge (high praise coming from a NYer) and some top notch bloody marys. About 25 minute drive from downtown, about 1/2 of which is on a graded gravel road.
Drive the Area for the Day
Seeing the nature scenery from a car is another great option. We recommend driving north around Flathead Lake or northeast through the town of Seeley Lake. Both drives will get you some beautiful mountain views and the option to stop by a lake for a mid-day picnic.
Roxy Theater
In case the weather is less than ideal, the Roxy Theater is a great place to huddle up away from a mountain storm. Our local independent movie theater offers current hits, as well as lesser-known cinema sure to entertain. And you can't go to the Roxy without getting a bowl of popcorn with butter and nutritional yeast - or whatever toppings you choose from their topping bar.
Beyond Missoula... in the great state of Montana
Make a week of it if you can! There's so much to see and do out here. We'll name a few: Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Butte Montana, mountain biking at White Fish or Big Sky resorts, backpacking in any of the dozens of mountain ranges, natural and built hot springs (ask us for recommendations), world class fishing and river floating, sail on Flathead lake. It's endless! We would be happy to give you some recommendations to make the most of an extended time out here.