Find the top rated birding trails in Missoula, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Rode this bike path from 3rd Street in Missoula to its terminal end south
of Hamilton, at the bridge over the Bitterroot River, out and back, with a couple of short side trips, total ride was 104.8 miles, with 4,554 feet elevation gain. Although the path mostly follows a busy road, that did not detract from enjoying the scenery and other things of interest along the way. Had a great lunch at the Red Rooster Bakery in Hamilton. I would give it 5 stars except when you get to Hamilton you are riding a narrow, concrete sidewalk, dodging signposts, traffic, and other obstacles.
Rode from Missoula to Florence and back. The adjacent highway is heavily traveled and quite noisy. In Missoula the trail puts you onto local streets and is not well marked. It's easy to get lost. Local drivers have been very courteous in giving the right of way, and the trip back to Missoula is easier riding than to Florence. Traveler's Rest State Park at Lolo is a nice diversion and resting point, and Glen's Café in Florence serves very good pie.
I ride the bitterroot path on my Tour Easy Easy Racer LE. I park at Anglers roost where the path starts at the south end of the Bitterroot valley just soith of Hamilton.Unload my bike and enjoy a nice smooth ride from Anglers roost headed north toward Hamilton.About 2 miles up the path "All asphalt" you can stop at Murdochs Farm supply and look around then continue on towards Hamilton
When you get to Hamilton the path ends but you have sidewalks or you can veer off and work your way around town on nice treed back streets.If you stay on the sidewalk on the south end of town you can stop in at Valley Bike and Ski and look around.Lots of shops and restaurants on main street.You can head north up main street "no path" to the Bitteroot river or keep going north on 93 and cross the Bitterroot again and go all the way to LoLo if you like! Its along 93 all the way bit there is plenty of beautiful scenery
Specially on my recumbent!
If you need a safe, traffic free place to run in the middle of Missoula, this is a great trail. It's usually plowed in the winter, as Target Range school is part of the path access. Flat and good decently lit in the dark winter mornings.
My family and I were just out there and the trail is now complete from Lolo to Hamilton.
As the description notes, this ain't purty but it's a great link for people who live on the west side of town to access downtown and the university. The trail is in great shape, having just opened in 2011, and is well marked, especially the at-grade crossings. As the city begins rehabilitating the disused commercial areas, the trail will only improve from a visual standpoint. Not sure about some of the junky back yards, though, but at least Missoula is developing a more extensive off-road access corridor!
If you need a break from city life (though Missoula isn't that hectic), this is the place. Quiet, green (in summer), and beautiful, this trail makes for a great stroll or easy bike ride. There are a couple of inclines as you head north on the main trail, though they're short and not too steep. If there's enough snow in winter, you can take your skinny boards out for a ski, but do it before walkers make tracks. Even though this park is popular with lots of folks, you'll still find a little solitude somewhere.
Though definitely not a "destination" trail, this path is a nice alternative to riding or walking along Mansion Heights Drive. Also, if you want to take pictures of Missoula Valley and the mountains to the north, this is a great place to do it. If you want a workout for your lungs and thighs, continue up the road for better views and a cardiac strength builder.
Reserve Street (US 93) is a nightmare for cyclists but the trail resolves that problem, if only for a short distance. This path is a great alternative for cyclists and pedestrians wanting to access Missoula’s west side and the Bitterroot River. You'll get great views of Missoula's surrounding mountains and you can link to other west-side trails. Fort Missoula is definitely worth the visit, too!
South Avenue can get busy and this trail is a great alternative for cyclists and pedestrians wanting to access Missoula’s west side and the Bitterroot River. You'll get great views of Missoula's surrounding mountains and you can link to other west-side trails, making crossing town a lot easier than it used to be in the old days.
Though not much traffic courses through the area, cars do tend to drive fast on this arrow-straight road, so having essentially a widened shoulder is a nice buffer from cars. On trash-collection day you might have to go around a stray wheelie bin here and there but you likely won't be taking your life into your hands to do so, since the traffic is light. From this trail you'll get great views of Missoula's surrounding mountains. The trail is one of several you can link together on the west side, making crossing town a lot easier than it used to be in the old days.
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