Our mid-sized campus in the Northern Rocky Mountains has a lot to explore. You might already be familiar with popular spots like The Oval, Main Hall and The Lodge Dining Center, but pull back the curtain just a little, and you’ll discover several hidden gems spread across every corner of our park-like campus.
From secret study spots to planetariums, peony gardens and dire wolfs – discover some of the best hidden gems on the University of Montana campus:
1. The Museum of Montana Art and Culture Deck and Library
Book a free art tour at MMAC’s massive, gorgeous building filled with themed art. After your tour, check out the MMAC Deck on the second floor (closed during winter and display changes). They have a basement library, too, where, if there are no meetings, people are welcome to hang out/study/read the books in the area.
2. Clapp Building Secrets
The Clapp Building hides many prehistoric secrets, including a T. rex skull cast on the first floor as well as a Dire Wolf and Saber-toothed Cat on the third floor! They display fossils from Montana’s ancient past and ash from the 1980 Mount Saint Helens eruption. You can do a self-guided trip, but keep your eyes on Griz Hub for Guided Tours, too.
3. President’s Room
Wanna check out something a little Harry Potter-ish (minus the moving portraits)? Visit Brantly Hall’s President’s Room. Past presidents and the first UM diplomas hang on the walls around the room. You can study or hang here, as well as play the tuned piano. Keep an eye out for Brantly’s ghosts! They enjoy flickering lights and saying hello.
4. A Cute Bench Park and Garden
Tucked behind the Math Building is a lovely bench and light post framed by small gardens. If you want to pretend to live a small European park-esque life in an area with low foot traffic and shade, go searching for this bench. It’s a great spot to reset, enjoy a cup of coffee or do a bit of reading.
5. Interactive Globe
Hidden (and yet not because it’s massive) in the Ed Building is an interactive globe. Buy a coffee from their coffee shop, Recess, on the first floor and enjoy relaxing and pressing buttons to change the globe into whatever you ask of it!
6. Fine Arts Building Study Room (with Sculptures!)
There’s been some neat things so far, but this one can be used for your studies! Ever been to the Fine Arts building? They house a gorgeous, tidy, artsy, comfy room on the third floor. You can study, take a look at the art and relax.
Read More: Best Study Spots on Campus
7. Payne Center Planetarium
Did you know the Payne Family Native American Center houses a planetarium? They have star-gazing shows where you can learn more about our universe. These events do require a ticket, but the shows are absolutely worth it! While you’re there, check out the PFNAC itself- it was built sustainably and designed to represent Montana’s Native tribes.
8. UC Picnic Tables
Outside the UC, to the left of the Go Griz Store, are some picnic tables tucked away on a little plot of grass. It’s hidden by some trees and therefore shady for a warm early-fall, late-spring day for hanging with friends, eating lunch, studying or just enjoying the sunshine.
9. Reinhardt Peony Garden
Located near the Phyllis J. Washington Amphitheater (which is a hidden gem in and of itself!) is the Reinhardt Peony Garden. Open all year, this is a nice place for a stroll with friends, a picnic or even a stop before hiking the M. There are hundreds of peonies in this garden, so prioritize this garden during springtime.
10. 3-D Topographical Map of Campus
A little nerdier but still cool nonetheless is a 3-D topographical map of the UM campus. This map sits right in the middle of the hallway on the first floor of Main Hall. Make it a priority to come see this map and tour the most iconic historical campus building.
While these are just a few hidden gems around campus, you can definitely find them everywhere! Make sure you get out and adventure around campus to see what else you can find!
Anna Weishaar graduated from the University of Montana in 2018 with a degree in Creative Writing. She currently works as the Marketing Coordinator for the MCEE department. She enjoys walking her dogs around campus, finding healthy options for lunch in the UC Market, and going to events offered by UM to learn something new.
