1) Hike the M
Missoula's classic "M" Trail
It’s hard to miss the giant “M” emblazoned onto the face of Mount Sentinel, backdropping our entire beautiful campus. It’s a symbol of the University and one the most popular hiking trails in Montana. Feel the thigh burn and oxygen entering your lungs on this steep ¾-mile hike with 13 switchbacks and sitting benches, and revel in the beauty of the Missoula Valley unfolding with each step.
Read More: Take a Hike! Hiking Trails in Missoula
2) Float the Clark Fork River
Students floating the Clark Fork River during the annual Freshman Float
Missoula lies at the junction of great trout rivers, and the ambling waters represent a free-flowing way of life we take pride in. From floating to fishing to simply admiring the landscape from the Beartracks Bridge, there are several ways to enjoy the Clark Fork River flowing through Missoula. Arguably the most fun, however, is hopping on an innertube and floating through the scenery. Incoming students experience this firsthand as part of the Freshman Float, which caps off our award-winning orientation.
3) Cheer on Griz Athletics
There’s nothing like a good ol’ “Go Griz!” to get you in the Grizzly spirit. The air is electric at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on football Saturdays, and Grizzly Athletics offers much more to cheer for than just football. Students receive tickets for every intercollegiate athletics event, and some of the most popular spectator sports at UM are volleyball, hockey, soccer and basketball.
Read More: Griz Athletics - Who to Cheer For and When
4) Attend the Foresters' Ball
The Foresters’ Ball is a swingin’ good time. This time-honored tradition transforms the University’s Schreiber Gym into an ole’ fashioned logging town every February, hosting the most rootin’ and tootin’ party on campus. At its core, it’s a fundraising event for the College of Forestry and Conservation, which does all the hard work of transforming the space. But overall, it’s a celebration for the entire campus community to enjoy.
Read More: Campus Traditions: What Makes Us Montana
5) Chill Out at Big Dipper
Getting that good stuff from Big Dipper
Single scoop, double scoop, sprinkles or waffle cone, the options are endless at Big Dipper, one of Missoula’s best ice cream spots. It’s a short walk from campus to this iconic ice cream purveyor, perfect on a hot day (or any day) in ZooTown. Take a friend or go by yourself for a sweet treat – there’s no wrong way to get your ice cream fix at this staple business on Missoula’s Hip Strip.
6) Lace Up Your Ice Skates
Winter is the most wonderful time of year at UM. Cozy spaces open across campus, friends tend to come together and the entire landscape takes on a fresh coat of snowy appeal. The University also goes to great lengths to maintain fun activities throughout the season, including installing an ice rink and fire pits on the Oval. Now you have no excuse not to land that triple axel!
Read More: Surviving Winter in Missoula
Read More: Winter Activities to Keep You Cozy
Read More: Your Guide to Indoor Winter at UM
7) Soak in a Hot Spring
Weir, Jerry Johnson, Lolo and Quinn's Hot Springs - the list goes on for incredible hot springs in Montana, many within an hour’s drive of campus. If you haven’t ever soaked in thermal water surrounded by nature, what are you waiting for? Don your swimsuit, relax and take in a natural hot tub.
8) Catch a Live Show at an Outdoor Amphitheater
ZooTown Music Festival in Missoula
Picture your favorite performer belting out their greatest hits as the sun sets on a mountain landscape with the Blackfoot River gently burbling nearby. That’s the scene at the nearby KettleHouse Amphitheater in Bonner, offering one-of-a-kind music experiences that will make your friends jealous. And it’s not the only live music venue that attracts talent and fans, with several downtown Missoula venues, like The Wilma, also offering quintessential stages to spectate.
Read More: Best Live Music Venues On and Off Campus
9) Explore Missoula by Bike
Cruising on two wheels across campus
Missoula has a big biking culture, from ripping it down hills to road biking or commute biking, the options are endless. Local experts, like those at Free Cycles or Griz Gears on UM’s campus, are there to help the ride go smoothly. There’s nothing like getting on two wheels on a nice Missoula day and riding on the Kim-Williams Trail or just around town.
Read More: How to (Easily) Commute Without a Car
10) Explore Missoula's Food Scene
No matter your appetite, Missoula has something for you. From breakfast burritos to sandwich shops and more than a few date night locales, it’s an authentic buffet of good times when perusing Missoula’s food scene. New restaurants pop up every year, offering new and unique tastes to explore. And campus doesn’t fall short with a variety of dining venues, including a secret recipe for chicken fingers that draws all the students to the Lodge Dining Center.
Read More: Best Food Spots On and Off Campus
11) Find Your Study Spot
Studying in the UC Food Court
Since you'll be studying while at UM, why not find the best spot for you to make it more enjoyable? Our beautiful, park-like campus has no shortage of spots for your mind to concentrate. Maybe it’s an inviting Adirondack chair on the Oval or one of five floors in the Mansfield Library. The six different coffee shops on campus also make great options. Wherever it is, you’ll gravitate toward your favorite study spot.
Read More: Best Study Spots at UM
12) Explore the Rattlesnake and Pattee Canyon
Rattlesnake National Recreation Area
Supreme nature surrounds Missoula. Specifically, the vast acreage of Lolo National Forest is within minutes of the city center, including the Rattlesnake and Pattee Canyon National Recreation Areas. These deep dives into nature are accessible with a 10-minute drive or an uphill bike ride. Untamed nature awaits in each National Recreation Area, offering an excellent break from the schoolbooks and stressors of “normal” life.
13) Road Trip to Glacier
Glacier, arguably one of the best national parks in the nation, is less than a three-hour scenic drive from campus, passing through the breathtaking Flathead Valley. Pack the car with friends and road trip to this iconic outdoor destination to behold the grandeur that earns it the nickname “The Crown of the Continent.” Keep an eye out for mountain goats and massive mountain peaks, and enjoy any of the 700+ miles of hiking trails winding through the park.
Read More: Epic Montana Road Trips from Missoula
14) Catch a Movie at The Roxy
The neon lights adorning the marquee of The Roxy brighten up Missoula’s Hip Strip on the opposite banks of the Clark Fork River from downtown. This nonprofit community theater has events and screenings seven days a week, including cult classics, stand-up comedy nights and the newest releases. Check out a showing and you’ll feel the vibe of Missoula from your seat with reusable popcorn bowls and a cozy screening room.
15) Find Your Favorite Pick-Me-Up
Bernice's Bakery
Missoula is nothing if not a coffee-lover's heaven. Clyde Coffee, Bernice’s Bakery, Funk-It Coffee, Tandem Bakery, Drum Coffee, Liquid Planet, the list goes on and on. You have plenty of time and options to find the best cup for you, no matter your taste. Trying out different places around Missoula is also a great way to get to know the town and feel the down-to-earth spirit of Missoulians.
16) Go Thrifting!
Campus Thrift event on campus
Missoula is home to some thrifting gems and locally owned businesses that help create the charm it's known for. From Loose Moose Vintage to Betty’s Divine Trash, you have your pick of vintage places to other places like Goodwill. UM also sometimes has clothing swaps, so watch for those on campus when they're posted so you can be a sustainable Grizzly.
17) Dive into the History of Butte
Historic downtown Butte
Venture over to Butte, less than two hours from campus, to dive into some of our state's storied history. This former mining town was the biggest city between Chicago and San Francisco in the early 1900s – when it was better known as “The Richest Hill on Earth.” Today, the entire town, alongside a lively community, is a National Historic District waiting for you to explore.
18) Stick Around for Summer
Easy living during the summer
The summer is a special time in Montana. The campus quiets down, and local Missoulians take advantage of the long days with every type of recreation found under the sun. The sun sets around 10 p.m. during the three months of summer between semesters, and the sounds of backyard parties often extend well past dusk and into the night. Stick around for the season, slather on some sunscreen, take a summer class or two and spend the rest of the days by the river.
