Spring is a special time in Missoula. The lingering snow on the surrounding mountains creates a serene backdrop for adventure, the warmer and longer days are perfect for enjoying time outside, and the vibrant downtown district plays host to a variety of fun events and festivals. Missoula is a family-friendly town with great access to nature, plenty of interactive educational opportunities, tons of kid-friendly dining options, and fantastic parks and open spaces to run wild and play. Springtime in Missoula is the perfect place to make memories together as a family and for adults and children alike to learn, play, and explore.
Missoula is home to many family-friendly museums and educational opportunities that are engaging for children of all ages. Kickstart your spring learning by visiting the Montana Natural History Center, a museum that offers hands-on exhibits to introduce kids and adults alike to the diverse ecosystems of Montana, ranging from local wildlife to geological formations. Check their calendar for educational events and nature walks, too!
Another great place for educational exploration is the internationally-recognized Missoula Public Library. The second floor of the library is home to both the Families First Learning Lab and the spectrUM Discovery Area, both of which provide diverse and interactive opportunities for children of all ages to learn and play.
Be sure to check out Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's Elk Country Visitor Center which features displays and dioramas of animals, like elk and bear, and information exhibits about conservation and the heritage of outdoor stewardship.
For an indoor day of tropical learning and fun, visit the Butterfly House and Insectarium. Visitors will have the chance to wander through the butterfly-filled greenhouses and an exhibit area featuring a wide array of insects, arachnids, millipedes, centipedes, and crustaceans. They also offer youth and adult programming throughout the year.
When it comes to play time and good ole fashioned family fun, Missoula has opportunities in spades. With expansive fields, playgrounds, and an outdoor pavilion, Fort Missoula Regional Park is an ideal location for a day of play. The park is also home to The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula and features indoor and outdoor exhibits including a fire tower and steam-engine as well as displays about the history of Missoula and the surrounding areas.
When in Missoula, be sure to take a spin on the historic and iconic hand-carved horses at A Carousel for Missoula, located in Caras Park in downtown Missoula. Afterwards, little kids will enjoy playing at Dragon Hollow, also located in Caras Park, an adorably themed playground right next to the carousel.
Missoula boasts a number of parks and open spaces that are perfect spaces for kids of all ages to play outside, and perhaps none moreso than Playfair Park. With sports fields and courts to choose from, a truly great playground, and picnic areas, this spot is perfect for spending time together and playing as a family. Additionally, Playfair neighbors Currents Aquatic Center and Splash Montana, the coolest place in Big Slide Country!
Consider stopping by MoBash Skate Park, funded in large part by the world-famous skateboarder Tony Hawk and Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament as a space to grow skateboarding as a sport. Praised as one of the top 5 parks in the country, MoBash has over 15,000 square feet of skate area. Complete with various bowls, bank walls, terraced inclines and plenty of rails to ride, skate enthusiasts of all ages will love this outdoor facility!
If you are looking for a different kind of play, be sure to check out the performance and programming schedule at the Missoula Children's Theater. Located just outside of downtown Missoula, MCT is a great spot to explore the performing arts and marvel at the talent and passion for theater here in Montana.
Nestled in the heart of five river valleys and the stunning mountains of western Montana, it is no surprise that Missoula boasts hundreds of miles of trails to explore in the mountains and valleys surrounding town. Springtime in Montana always keeps us on our toes- one day it might be the perfect day for a hike and the next might be a great day for snowshoeing or cross country skiing! No matter your preferred method of travel, desired duration, or level of experience, there is definitely something for every family in Missoula including many ADA and stroller accessible trails. Check out this complete list of hikes in Missoula or browse our curated selection for families below.
Waterworks Hill, home to the peace symbol above downtown, is an easy-to-access hike that flattens out into gently rolling terrain after a slight uphill at the trail's start. Strollers are not recommended on this trail, though the easy walking makes it a great place for kids of all ages to explore. The M Trail on Mount Sentinel is a high-effort, high-reward hike that climbs 650ft in a short 0.75 miles (one way), but trust us when we say the views are worth it! A popular spot for a picnic along the gorgeous Rattlesnake Creek, Greenough Park offers paved trails that are perfect for all members of the family and is located about a mile from downtown Missoula. Another fantastic way to take in Rattlesnake Creek is to meander your way up to the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area outside of town. This trail can accommodate heavy-duty jogging strollers for the first few miles as the trail is built on an old logging road. With flat terrain and gorgeous views, this area is a popular one for families. If nature trails are of interest to you and your family, Maclay Flat Nature Trail is the perfect spot to go! Aspects of this trail are accommodating to strollers and features informational signage and changes for wildlife viewing. Lastly, the Riverfront Trail system is a must-do while in Missoula. The trail system winds its way through downtown along the Clark Fork River and offers access to many parks, shopping, and restaurants.
