Another warm and adventurous summer is knocking on our door, marking the time of year when everyone seems ready to get outside. For years, the adventurous city of Missoula has been rated as one of the top outdoors destinations in the west. To us, this comes as no surprise. It is, after all, easy to get into the outdoors with so much opportunity in your back yard. Missoula borders a national forest and boasts numerous recreation areas, which is not a surprise in a region marked by its stunning rugged terrain. There truly is no better place to be this summer than Missoula, and we’d love to help you plan a variety of summer activities to make the most of your time here. Book your room at our tranquil Bed and Breakfast, and experience Montana’s rugged spirit firsthand.
Summer Activities to Try
Missoula is a city that comes to life during the warm summer months. With so much to see and do, choosing the right summer activities for you can sometimes be the hard part. To make your travel planning easier, we’ve included the top 5 summer activities enjoyed by Missoulians and visitors alike.
Hiking
Hiking seems like, perhaps, the most obvious of choices when it comes to planning summer activities in Missoula. One of the most popular hikes in Missoula is up Mount Sentinel to the “M”. Beginning on the UM campus, this steep three-quarter of a mile hike rewards hikers with stunning views of the Missoula Valley, the Clark Fork River, and the distant mountains. Truly, there are endless hiking trails in and around Missoula just begging to be explored. Other than hiking the “M”, here are the most popular hiking destinations:
- Riverfront Trail
- Blue Mountain National Recreation Area
- Waterworks Hill
- Hellgate Canyon Trail
- Lolo Peak Trail
Biking
Some of the best mountain biking opportunities are found in Missoula’s wooded surroundings. In fact, Missoula is so biking-friendly that it’s been dubbed a gold-level biking friendly city, a distinction reserved for just 16 communities nationwide. There are over 20 miles of biking trails and routes in the city itself, and countless others just outside of the city. Popular biking destinations include:
- Clark Fork Riverfront Trail
- Blue Mountain National Recreation Area
- Kim Williams Nature Trail
- Pattee Canyon Recreation Area
- Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness
Fishing
Montana is a state synonymous with fishing; particularly fly fishing. A summer trip to Montana wouldn’t be complete without dipping a fishing line into the beautiful waters of Missoula. Missoula is home to some of the finest trout fishing waters in America, including three main rivers – the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and the Clark Fork of the Columbia – as well as Rock Creek, famous for its blue ribbon fishing. There are also plenty of opportunities for lake fishing, making the fishable waters near Missoula practically limitless. Other than the rivers listed above, Missoula’s top fishing destinations include:
Get Wet
Fishing isn’t the only way to enjoy the waterways of Missoula. The many surrounding rivers and lakes offer a variety of ways to cool off on a hot summer day, including kayaking, rafting, and stand-up-paddle boarding. There is incredible kayaking on the Clark Fork River, where just outside the Caras Park Pavilion you’ll find Brennan’s Wave. Brennan’s Wave is a man-made whitewater play pool named after a world-class kayaker from Missoula who died while paddling in Chile in 2001. Other great kayaking destinations include Frenchtown Pond State Park, Alberton Gorge, and the Blackfoot River. As in many popular water destinations around the country, stand-up paddle boarding (SUPing) has been growing in popularity in Missoula. Beginners will want to try the flat waters at Frenchtown Pond State Park and Flathead Lake, while those more adventurous can try SUPing on the Clark Fork River or the Bitterroot River
Craft beer
Finally, we’d be remiss to mention all of these great summer activities in Missoula without mentioning the incredibly craft brew scene that also exists here. What better way to wind down a spectacular day of adventure than by sipping some exceptionally well crafted beer on a hot summer day? Montana ranks #2 in the nation for craft breweries, and there are plenty of breweries for you to explore throughout your vacation. Top favorites include:
- Bayern Brewing, home of the Dragon’s Breath Dark Hefeweizen
- Big Sky Brewing Company, home of summer favorite Summer Honey
- Draught Works, home of the Clothing Optional Pale Ale
- Flathead Lake Brewing Company, home of the celebratory Centennial Pale Ale
- Missoula Brewing Company, where you’ll enjoy the Devil’s Hump Red Ale
No matter what it is that sounds exciting this summer, Missoula is sure to have plenty of summer activities that will spark your interest. Book your room at our Montana Bed and Breakfast today, and let us help you create unforgettable summer memories!
