Missoula is one of the best hiking bases in Montana, with 90 trailheads within 50 miles of the city. From a quick after-work climb up the M Trail to multi-day backpacking trips in the Rattlesnake Wilderness, the range of options here is exceptional for a city of any size. This guide organizes trails by distance from Missoula and covers seasonal considerations. For the full city profile, see our Missoula guide.
At a Glance
- 90 trailheads within 50 miles
- 8 wilderness areas accessible from Missoula
- 6 state parks with trail systems
- Closest trailhead: M Trail (Mount Sentinel), 1 mile from downtown
- Closest wilderness: Rattlesnake Wilderness, 5 miles
- Ski area: Snowbowl, 12 miles (summer hiking trails available)
In-Town & Urban Trails (Within 6 Miles)
Missoula's urban trail network is one of its defining features. You can walk from a downtown coffee shop to a mountain trail in under 20 minutes. The most iconic is the M Trail on Mount Sentinel, a steep switchback climb to the university's signature whitewashed "M" that rewards with panoramic views of the five valleys. On any given evening, you'll find dozens of locals making the 2,000-foot roundtrip ascent.
The Kim Williams Nature Trail follows the Clark Fork River through the heart of the city, connecting to Hellgate Canyon and eventually reaching the Mount Sentinel trail system. It's flat, paved for portions, and popular with runners and cyclists. The Rattlesnake corridor begins just a few miles north, with the Rattlesnake Trailhead providing access to both easy creek-side walks and longer routes into the Rattlesnake Wilderness.
| Trail | Distance from Missoula |
|---|---|
| M Trail (Mount Sentinel) | 1 mi |
| Jumbo Trailhead | 1 mi |
| Cherry St Trailhead | 1 mi |
| Mount Sentinel | 1 mi |
| Waterworks | 1 mi |
| North Hills Froehlich Trailhead | 1 mi |
| Kim Williams Nature Trail | 2 mi |
| Mount Sentinel trailhead | 2 mi |
| Gasworks Trailhead | 2 mi |
| Sunlight Trailhead | 2 mi |
| Duncan Field Trailhead | 2 mi |
| Sousa Trailhead | 3 mi |
| Lincoln Hills Trailhead | 3 mi |
| Barmeyer Trailhead | 3 mi |
| Lincolnwood North | 3 mi |
| Duncan Trailhead | 3 mi |
| Marshall Mountain Bike Access | 4 mi |
| Woods Gulch | 4 mi |
| Crazy Canyon | 4 mi |
| Rattlesnake Trailhead | 4 mi |
| Bluebird Preserve | 4 mi |
| Pattee Canyon Recreation Area | 5 mi |
| Blue Mountain | 5 mi |
| Inez Creek Trailhead | 6 mi |
| Skyline Ridge | 6 mi |
Day Hikes (6–25 Miles)
Within a 30-minute drive, the options expand dramatically. Pattee Canyon Recreation Area (5 miles south) offers a network of forested trails popular with mountain bikers and hikers alike. Blue Mountain (5 miles southwest) provides moderate-elevation hikes with views of the Bitterroot Valley. Further out, the Lolo Peak trail via Carlton Ridge (14 miles south) is one of the area's most rewarding summit hikes — a strenuous 9-mile roundtrip to a 9,096-foot peak with views stretching from the Bitterroots to the Mission Range.
| Trail | Distance from Missoula |
|---|---|
| Ravine Trailhead | 7 mi |
| O'Brien Creek Trailhead | 8 mi |
| Little Park Creek Trailhead | 8 mi |
| Sheep Mountain Trailhead | 12 mi |
| West Fork Gold Creek | 14 mi |
| Lolo Peak (Carlton Ridge) Trailhead | 14 mi |
| Edith Peak Trailhead | 16 mi |
| South Fork Lolo Trailhead | 17 mi |
| Gold Creek | 18 mi |
| Petty Pasture Trailhead | 21 mi |
| Spring Creek Sheep Viewing Site | 22 mi |
| Bass Creek Trailhead | 22 mi |
| Solomon Fishing Access | 22 mi |
| Kootenai Creek | 24 mi |
| Reservation Divide Trailhead | 24 mi |
| Welcome Creek Trailhead | 25 mi |
Wilderness & Backcountry
Missoula is surrounded by some of the most protected wilderness in the lower 48. The Rattlesnake Wilderness begins just 5 miles from downtown — one of the closest designated wilderness areas to any American city. At 33,000 acres, it offers alpine lakes, old-growth forest, and genuine solitude.
The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness (36 miles) is one of the largest wilderness areas in the contiguous U.S. at 1.3 million acres. The Welcome Creek Wilderness (25 miles) is smaller but rugged, with dense forests and steep terrain. And the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex — over a million acres of roadless backcountry — is reachable within about an hour's drive.
| Wilderness Area | Distance from Missoula |
|---|---|
| Rattlesnake Wilderness | 5 mi |
| Welcome Creek Wilderness | 25 mi |
| Mission Mountains Wilderness | 32 mi |
| Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness | 36 mi |
| Bob Marshall Wilderness | 54 mi |
| Scapegoat Wilderness | 58 mi |
| Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness | 69 mi |
| Great Bear Wilderness | 75 mi |
State Parks
Several Montana state parks near Missoula offer well-maintained trails with interpretive signage. Greenough Park (1 mile) is a forested urban retreat along Rattlesnake Creek. Milltown State Park (6 miles) occupies the restored site of a former dam and Superfund site at the confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers — a remarkable example of environmental reclamation. Travelers Rest State Park (10 miles) marks the historic campsite of Lewis and Clark.
| State Park | Distance from Missoula |
|---|---|
| Greenough Park | 1 mi |
| Milltown State Park | 6 mi |
| Travelers Rest State Park | 10 mi |
| Fort Owen State Park | 25 mi |
| Beavertail Hill State Park | 32 mi |
| Salmon Lake State Park | 35 mi |
Seasonal Considerations
Spring (April–May): Lower-elevation trails clear of snow first. The M Trail and Kim Williams are typically accessible by April. Higher trails may not clear until June. Muddy conditions are common; gaiters and trekking poles help.
Summer (June–August): Peak hiking season. All trails are accessible. Temperatures can reach the mid-80s at lower elevations; carry plenty of water. Wildfire smoke is possible in late July and August.
Fall (September–October): Many locals' favorite season. Cooler temperatures, fall colors (especially larch in October), and fewer crowds. Most trails remain accessible through October.
Winter (November–March): Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing replace hiking on most trails. Pattee Canyon has groomed Nordic trails. The M Trail sees year-round use but can be icy. Avalanche awareness is essential in the backcountry.
Trail Safety
Missoula-area trails are in bear country — both black bears and grizzly bears. Carry bear spray, make noise on the trail, and store food properly. Mountain lion sightings are rare but do occur. Cell service is unreliable once you leave the immediate urban area; carry a map and let someone know your plans for any backcountry excursion.
For more outdoor activities, see our Missoula fishing guide and the Missoula weekend itinerary.