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.
_17883_st.jpg)
Nice trail following along the active rail tracks for the first couple miles. I started at mile 0 and went for about 3.5 miles, just a short distance past the Bitterroot River crossing (TrailLink map doesn’t show this as continuous but it is). At this point the trail is getting out of town. There are a number of street crossings and since it was early Sunday morning not a lot of traffic. Some of the crossings have signals. Drivers stopped when they saw a bike coming without having to activate signals. Trail is wide and nicely paved.
While this isn’t the most scenic trail, it is a nice way to get east to west, across town. While it is mostly a residential trail, it is well paved and there are good signs to show you the way. It does cross several streets. It will connect up with the trail that runs along the river, and get you to the University.
We rode this trail from Toulon to Princeville today. It was great! The path was very good. It is mostly shaded. Excellent. We stopped in Wyoming on our way back for lunch. Ate at 111 Coffee Shop. Don’t be fooled, this is NOT just a coffee shop. The lunch was delicious. And it is decorated all with bikes! Perfect for us bikers. And check out the bathroom. Cute!!! Can’t wait to do more of the route from Princeville going south.
This trail is a segment of the Great American Rail-Trail (GART).
Location: Piltzville, MT
Trail Condition: Average pavement.
Signage: No directional, some warning.
Comments: This trail also parallels a highway. Not overly scenic but okay.
This trail is a segment of the Great American Rail-Trail (GART).
Location: Bonner, MT
Trail Condition: Very good fairly new pavement.
Signage: None.
Comments: TrailLink indicates this trail is 0.6 miles but from the Blackfoot River bridge to the Milltown State Park – Confluence Area I had a mileage of 1.2 miles. A new trailhead is at the nicely renovated bridge. The bridge is worthy of a stop. Otherwise the trail just parallels a busy road to the confluence area.
This trail is a segment of the Great American Rail-Trail (GART).
Location: Missoula, MT
Trail Condition: All paved. Average width and generally good condition. One short hill with a 5% grade.
Signage: No directional signage.
Comments: Nothing to brag about. Travels alongside a busy road.
This trail is now signed as The Milwaukee Road Path.
This trail is a segment of the Great American Rail-Trail (GART).
Location: Missoula, MT
Trail Condition: Gravel from The Milwaukee Road Path connection and around a part of the golf course. Then nice paved path until end at eastern end.
Signage: Some warning signs. Watch for golf balls when near the golf course.
Comments: This is a nice add on to the end of The Milwaukee Road Path when coming from the west. Travels through a nice golf course/community on one side and river the other.
Milwaukee Trail (The Milwaukee Road Path)
This trail is a segment of the Great American Rail-Trail (GART).
Location: Missoula, MT
Parking: Parked along street on west end of trail.
Trail Condition: Nice paved path until the University area and then becomes gravel to end. The gravel portion isn’t real rough and did see folks on road bikes on this part of trail.
Signage: Overall good directional signage with exception of one intersection.
Comments: This trail is actually 6 miles in length. TrailLink indicates this trail ends at the “hub” but it now officially continues east past the hub for about 4.2 miles to the underpass with the train tracks and I-90. TrailLink shows the Kim Williams Nature Trail starting at the hub but none of the trail signage indicates this trail. The Milwaukee Road Path does pass through the Kim Williams Nature Area. Overall I really enjoyed this trail as it passed through residential areas, parks, and into the nature area along the river. Highly recommend as a Missoula option.
This trail is a segment of the Great American Rail-Trail (GART).
Location: Frenchtown, MT
Trail Condition: Very nice asphalt path with a newly completed section of excellent condition.
Signage: None.
Comments: A new portion of the trail has recently been added to the trail. From Mill Creek Rd (east end of trail) going southeast to junction with Hwy 93 near Wye is 6 miles of new trail. It parallels the frontage road, like the original section of trail. This new section of trail does encounter a couple hills. Thus not level like the original section. Overall nice trail. Lots of clover growing along the trail and smelled good the day I rode. A new other trail users were encountered.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
