Take your pick: fishing, hunting,
hiking, skiing, or taking on
whitewater -- they're all within driving distance.
This is Montana, after all.
Fishing
The famed Big Blackfoot River joins the Clark Fork River just outside of Missoula. Rock Creek, a blue ribbon trout stream, is just to the east. Montana's renowned fisheries are in the southwestern part of the state, about three hour's drive from Missoula. The Madison, Gallatin and Jefferson -- the headwaters of the mighty Missouri -- are just to the southeast.
Flyfishermen come from around the world to cast in these waters. Norman
Maclean, a minister's son, writes in A River Runs Through It, "In
our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing."
That's because they lived and fished along these streams. To find guides
to the area, check the list on this page:
Hunting and Fishing Guides around Missoula
Some fishing pages about Montana:
Hunting
Every species of game hunted in Montana can be found near Butte. Elk, deer, antelope, moose, big horn sheep, et. al. Locals take a day or two off work, or hunt on the weekends. Visitors come for longer, and usually hire a guide. Below you'll find a list of guides in and around Missoula. You may also want to call the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Helena (406-444-2535) -- they are the folks responsible for managing the state's game.
Hunting and Fishing Guides around Missoula
For a list of licensed guides statewide, check the Travel Montana Guides Page.
Hiking and Wilderness Areas
You can walk for days and not see anyone. Really. The Rattlesnake Wilderness Area begins on the edge of town. The Selway Bitterroot Wilderness area is just south. The Pintler, Mission Mountain and Welcome Creek Wilderness area's are all within an hour's drive. The Scapegoat and Bob Marshall Wilderness areas are two hour's drive to the north. Combined, they are some 75 miles across and 180 miles long. It abutts Glacier National Park. Yellowstone National Park is three hour's drive to the south.
The Lolo National Forest surrounds Missoula, which offers 1,800 miles of hiking trails. Some weekends find locals heading for the hills to climb a peak in the Lolo or Bitterroot forest-- St. Mary's, Lolo, Stuart or Trapper.
Hiking around Montana pages:
Skiing
The same mountains that tempt hikers in the summer beckon to skiiers in the winter. Cross country, telemark and alpine skiing are all popular here. So is snowboarding.
Here's what's close to Missoula :
- Discovery Basin
- 45 miles west of Butte
- 32 runs on 360 acres
- 3 double chair lifts, 1 triple lift, 1 pony lift.
- Lost Trail
- about 90 minute's drive south of Missoula
- 18 runs and trails
- 2 double chair lifts, 2 rope tows.
- Snowbowl
- about 30 minute drive from downtown
- 4 lifts: 2 double chairs, 1 t-bars, 1 rope tows
- Big Mountain
- about 3 hour's drive north from Missoula
- 63 runs, tree skiing
- 1 Quad, 4 triple, and 1 double lift
Cross country skiiers also have plenty of options. Backcountry telemark skiing abounds. The Forest Service also maintains groomed trails at Lolo Pass, about 45 minutes away by car. In good snow years, the Rattlesnake Recreation Area and the Pattee Canyon Recreation area, both on the edge of town, have miles of snow-packed trails.
Whitewater, Montana Style
There is big water all around Missoula. The Alberton Gorge on the Clark
Fork River. The Blackfoot. The Lochsa. Guiding is a bit of a growth industry
around these parts, so you don't even need your own raft, just the inclination
to have a good time.
Guides in Missoula
10,000 Waves-Raft & Kayak Adventures
PO Box 7924
Missoula, MT 59807
Whitewater/scenic raft & inflatable kayak trips, kayak school.
(406) 549-6670
Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures
P.O. Box 9051
Missoula, MT 59801
Whitewater rafting on the Lochsa, Alberton Gorge, Salmon, Blackfoot, canoe-Missouri.
(406) 728-7609
Montana Backcountry & River Guides
210 Red Fox Rd.
Lolo, MT 59847
Whitewater, raft, canoe and kayak trips, Fishing and Hunting Guides
Western Waters & Woods
1093 Mullan Road East
Superior, MT 59872
Daily or extended whitewater and fishing trips.
(406) 822-9900 (Superior)
(406) 251-5212 (Missoula)
Wild Rockies Tours
Box 8184
Missoula, MT 59807
Guided canoe, bike & hike trips, 1-8 days.
(406) 728-0566
Pangaea Expedition
PO Box 5753
Missoula, MT 59801
Alberton Gorge whitewater, Blackfoot float trips, paddle boats.
(406) 721-7719
