Missoula, home to the University of Montana in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, is a hiker’s dream come true. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails radiate from the city's center, including many trailheads within easy walking distance of UM's campus. The expansive adventure opportunities also come from the thousands of acres of Lolo National Forest and Western Montana surrounding the city.
Whether you want to hike up a mountain, amble along a river or find a quiet pathway to escape for a couple of hours, Missoula’s hiking trails have you covered. If you're visiting campus, check out our full guide on Where to Eat, Sleep and Explore in Missoula.
Read More: What to Do in Missoula
Wear some comfortable shoes, bring your water bottle and read on to discover some of the best hiking trails in Missoula, easily accessible from the University of Montana:
Mount Sentinel “M” Trail
The “M” Trail on Mount Sentinel, backdropping our beautiful campus, is the most popular hiking trail in Montana. This iconic hike is only three-quarters of a mile long, but it’s up the entire way, ascending over 600 feet across 13 switchbacks. Benches along the route give opportunities to rest on the way.
There’s so much more to explore on Mount Sentinel if your legs are feeling good. Continue on the trail past the “M” to ascend the 5,158-foot peak, or veer off to discover abandoned mines, ridge routes and access to the adjacent Pattee Canyon National Recreation Area within Lolo National Forest.
Hot Tip: Want your own "I Hiked the M Trail" shirt? Check out The "M" Collection from My Montana Roots (proceeds provide trail maintenance on this popular route.)
Clark Fork River Trail and the Kim Williams Trail
You can’t miss the Clark Fork River Trail surrounding both sides of the river near campus. It connects downtown and campus with natural spaces and scenic views, providing a valuable pedestrian route popular with walkers, bicyclists and strollers. This paved path is an excellent way to explore our community and its stunning natural surroundings.
Near the Grizzly Indoor Practice Facility (AKA The Bubble), the paved Clark Fork River Trail transitions into the gravel Kim Williams Trail, named after a notable Montana conservationist. The gravel path navigates 2.5 miles of flat terrain sandwiched between the river and the flanks of Mount Sentinel within Hellgate Canyon, offering quick access to quiet natural surroundings.
North Hills / Waterworks Trail
The North Hills, also known as Waterworks, is accessible with several convenient trailheads near downtown. The two most popular options are located at the north end of Orange Street, near the interstate, and off Greenough Drive, near Greenough Park ( also worth hiking through).
From either trailhead, ascend the foothills and earn a great view of Missoula to the south and the Rattlesnake Mountains to the north. Several loops, routes and viewpoints comprise this network of trails, including the Peace Park, although you’ll have a hard time getting lost with clear views of the city the entire way.
Read More: The Missoula – North Hills Trails
Mount Jumbo “L” Trail
Mount Jumbo is the opposing mountain across the river from Mount Sentinel, with a large “L” emblazoned onto its slopes (the “L” stands for Loyola Sacred Heart Catholic High School, btw). It’s another straight uphill hike to reach this emblazoned letter, spanning approximately 0.65 miles and 500 feet of elevation gain. However, the climb is worth it for the expansive views of the city and the numerous mountain ranges surrounding the Missoula Valley.
The easiest access points for the "L" trail are available from either Cherry Street or Elm Street, located on the north side of the river.
Barmeyer Trail
The Barmeyer Trail is a standard entry point for exploring one of Missoula’s newest trail networks on Mount Dean Stone. The trailhead is off Pattee Canyon Road and leads into an approximately 1.5-mile trail with 900 feet of elevation gain. The route offers a forested trek and a wide trail, navigating switchbacks before blossoming with great views of the city and the Missoula Valley.
Rattlesnake Corridor Trail, Rattlesnake National Recreation Area
The Rattlesnake Recreation Area, part of Lolo National Forest, is a quick ten-minute drive from campus and is home to hundreds of miles of hiking and bicycling trails. One of the best places to start exploring is the 17-mile Corridor Trail. This old Forest Service road is wide and connects with several other trails, campsites and a host of wildlife viewing opportunities.
Read More: Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness - Lolo National Forest
Sam Braxton National Recreation Trail, Pattee Canyon National Recreation Area
Pattee Canyon National Recreation Area is another massive area to explore, located just under 15 minutes from campus. It's a hotspot for adventure throughout the year, with hiking trails, bicycling trails, a disc golf course and groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter. While you can’t go wrong with whatever trail you choose to explore, the Sam Braxton National Recreation Trail is a longstanding favorite. This 3.4-mile loop has several easy turnoff options for shorter adventures.
Read More: Pattee Canyon National Recreation Area - Lolo National Forest
Blue Mountain National Recreation Trail
Blue Mountain is the third national recreation area located near campus, a 15-20 minute drive away, with over 40 miles of trails to explore. One of the best ways to dive into the trail network is by starting at the lower Blue Mountain Trailhead and hopping on any number of trails, including the Blue Mountain National Recreation Trail. This 9+ mile route can easily be segmented into shorter hikes with many loop options available.
Read More: Blue Mountain National Recreation Area -Lolo National Forest
O'Brien Creek Loop
O'Brien Creek, on the city's south side, offers a quiet escape into nature on a less-busy trail. Choose either the North or South O'Brien Creek Trail, or both, for a six-mile loop. The elevation gain is moderate, but it provides rewarding views of Mount Sentinel and Mount Jumbo across the Missoula Valley. Several loop options are available for shorter hikes.
Looking for more hikes? Or more detailed information on all the adventures surrounding Missoula? Check out the Hiking and Biking Trail Guide created by the Missoulian newspaper for more in-depth coverage of local trails.
