Coming to Missoula with your entire family can be a wonderful adventure. There are things to do here for the whole family, from kids to the young at heart. We also know that can include man's best friend. While traveling with a pet can be hard in some cities, here in Missoula there are a lot of things to do with your pet.
While you here, there are a few leash laws and rules you may want to know about, plus some places where your pup can run leash-free.
This is a beautiful location with 6 acres of land located at the far end of Jacob's Island Park. It is a fenced and double gated large area, allowing your dog and you to enjoy some wide open space to run and play. Here dogs must also be with their licensed owner and be vaccinated.
This is a 1/3rd acer park on the west side of the horseshoe pits. The area is fenced.
Not all areas are available for dogs to go without leashes but there are some. The areas are not fenced so they do ask that all unleashed dogs are under voice restraint during their adventure. Voice restraint is defined as; having eye's on the dog within 25 yards, and having the ability to recall and/or control the dog at any moment.
The area north of Saddle on Mt. Jumbo is open to off-leash dogs from May 1 - November 30. Whereas the area south of Saddle is open to off-leash dogs March 16 - November 30. There are other areas of Mt. Jumbo open to pets but they need to be leashed in those places.
These are locations that are run by the forest rangers and not the city of Missoula, which are open to unleashed pets.
Blue Mountain Recreation area, which has some incredible views, is a wide open puppy play ground. Run, jump, frolic and play in this great open space, and hit some hiking trails while you are at it. The area is open to unleashed pets, as long as they are under voice restraint.
Pattee Canyon Recreation area: Unleashed pets are allowed on several areas, but not on the groomed cross country trails. That is to allow the trails to stay nicely groomed for the next round of skiers. But there are no restrictions on the Crazy Canyon area for pets. Dogs are also allowed unleashed on Deer Creek, as well as the Sam Braxton Trails.
For all the areas where you and your pets can roam, we do ask you to pick up after them. It helps to maintain a beautiful recreation area for everyone. It is also a city wide ordinance that pet waste is picked up in public areas, parks and trails even the areas with leashes.
Here in Missoula we love our pets, and we want you and your visiting pets to feel welcome to enjoy our beautiful city, and mountains. Pets on leashes are welcome on most of the trails, and even a few outdoor eating areas as well!
If you are headed to town with your dog, be sure to check out our list of 25 things to do with your dog, here in Missoula.
