Between the stunning mountain peaks surrounding the city, the ebb and flow of the river that runs through the heart of town and the calming ambiance from the wilderness that seems to permeate into every fiber of the culture of this place, there is no better place to rest and rejuvenate than Missoula, Montana. Whether you're looking for a quick retreat or a more immersive experience, there are options for everyone. From day spas and hot springs to outdoor recreation and farm-to-table dining, discover why Missoula is the perfect place to experience true self-care—and start planning your getaway.
Photo courtesy of Cedar Creek Salon and Day Spa
Nothing is quite as relaxing and rejuvenating as self care throughmassage and body work, and Missoula has a variety of options and treatments to choose from. Cedar Creek Salon and Day Spa is a relaxing day spa with an exceptional variety of services, ranging from massages and facials to hair care, nails and waxing services. You will feel pampered from head to toe at this full-service salon and day spa. They also have a great spa shop which allows you to take your favorite products home with you to recreate that same sense of relaxation.
Float Missoula, located in the Hip Strip district of downtown, offers unique, thoughtfully designed relaxation experiences that are just a little outside of the ordinary. Choose between float therapy, therapeutic massage, infrared sauna sessions or cold plunges and feel the effects of this body work for days and weeks to come.
In addition, several fitness clubs offer spa-style amenities. HIVE features a sauna, cold plunge, and light therapy, while Peak Health and Wellness offers a steam room, sauna, and juice bar for visitors to enjoy.
Stretch your body and expand your mind with a transformative yoga session (or several) during your trip to Missoula at one of many yoga studios in town. Headwaters Hot Yoga, known for their positive energy and community, great instructors and a wide variety of class times, offers hot yoga, inferno hot pilates, ghosh yoga, power vinyasa flow yoga, yin yoga and more at their studio in the heart of downtown Missoula.
Hot House Yoga, also located in downtown Missoula, offers classes for all skill levels including sessions in core power yoga, hot yoga, yin yoga, restorative yoga, Ashtanga-based vinayasa, therapeutic yoga and yoga sculpt. Hot House also hosts SUP Yoga (Stand-Up Paddleboard) on the Clark Fork River in the warmer months—challenge yourself to physical balance and find inner strength along the way with stunning Missoula views!
Ritual Yoga in downtown strives to create a peaceful and restorative environment for the community to connect through yoga, breathwork, sound healing, and community events to enhance mind and body harmony.
With so many options for yoga and meditation, you do not need to sweat it to find a restorative and relaxing experience in our charming mountain town.
For centuries, travelers have made their way to Montana and other areas of the northwest to soak in the naturally fed hot springs that dot the landscape, and Missoula is no different. While there are no hot springs within city limits, there are several natural hot springs and one commercial hot springs very close to the heart of town.
Located in Lolo, just south of Missoula, is Lolo Hot Springs, a commercial hot springs and lodge operating year round, has both indoor and outdoor pools. The indoor pools range from 103-106 degrees Fahrenheit year round, while the outdoor pool fluctuates with the seasons—typically ranging from 78–85 degrees in summer and 74–78 degrees in winter. Camping facilities, lodge rooms, and dining options are also available on site.
For those hoping to relax in a natural setting, there are two natural hot springs across the border of Montana into Idaho that sit amongst bubbling creeks with stunning, uninterrupted views of the mountains. Weir Hot Springs can be accessed via a 0.5 to 0.7-mile trail off Highway 12, about 1 ½ hours from town. Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, also located on Highway 12 and slightly closer to Missoula by about 15 minutes, is located at the end of a quick and easy 1 mile hike through gorgeous forest. Regardless which hot springs you select, relaxation in rejuvenating waters awaits!
When in Missoula, do what the Missoulians do—take time to enjoy the natural wonder and relaxing beauty of this place we all love and call home. While there are gorgeous trails that allow for an escape away from the crowds, it seems like there are always pockets of relaxation to be found even near or in the heart of the city.
One of those locations is the Riverfront Trail, where you can sit on the rocks or on the Brennan’s wave observation deck and watch the water go by. In the warmer months, particularly the summer, the river is a water-highway of tubers, kayakers, fisherman and even river surfers recreating on the refreshing waters of the Clark Fork.
Located just outside of downtown along the Rattlesnake Creek, Greenough Park is a tranquil, forested park with paved trails, benches and picnic spots that gives the feel of a winding mountain trail, all within minutes from great shopping and dining. Further up the Rattlesnake Creek is a popular recreation area where, despite its popularity, has many side trails and plenty of room for peaceful relaxation. The Rattlesnake Recreation Area is most easily accessed via the Rattlesnake Trailhead about 15 minutes from downtown.
Another popular but tranquil spot to take in the scenic vistas of Missoula is Mount Sentinel, where a short and steep 0.75 mile, 643 ft elevation gain trail takes approximately 1000 visitors each day to the famous “M” overlooking the University of Montana’s campus and offering pristine panoramic views of Missoula and the surrounding wilderness.
Missoula’s food scene is, in a word, outstanding. Visitors are often surprised at the quality and variety of restaurants in our small mountain town, and they are even more pleased to discover the passion for local ingredients and Montana-sourced products. While nearly every block and side street offers up another amazing menu to browse, here are some of our most beloved health-centric and soul-nourishing options for you to try next time you are in Missoula.
Basal
Located downtown in the historic Mercantile building, Basal is a must-visit for nourishing, whole-food meals including handcrafted smoothies and signature salad. They are known for unprocessed, clean food that makes you feel good.
Green Source
Located in Hip Strip, Green Source is a go-to spot for filling, refreshing and healthy juices and smoothies, perfect for a light meal or a nourishing snack. The menu offerings are diverse and they are all delicious (trust us–we’ve tried them all).
Good Food Store
This is not your average grocery store—it is at the center of the local food movement and sustainability efforts in Missoula. The Good Food Store’s cafe offers everything from custom wok bowls and sandwiches to delicious pizza, salads and hot bar options. Their salad bar is also incredibly popular for lunch, and their deli cabinets are full of favorite finds from local bakeries.
Market on Front
This one-stop shop in downtown Missoula has delicious breakfast and coffee, great sandwiches and a wide selection of to-go products as well. Everything is good and everything is fast!
Veera
Two simple words: vegan doughnuts. Need we say more?
Lake Missoula Tea Company
Lake Missoula sources high quality teas from all around the world and sells both fried and fresh-brewed teas at their historic downtown location. The vibes are immaculate, the selection is outstanding and the teas are delicious.
Experience all the Missoula area has to offer with activities and destinations that seem designed to provide calming or rejuvenative energy. The Garden of 1000 Buddhas, located about 30 minutes north of Missoula, is a free-to-visit international center for peace and meditation featuring 1,000 hand-casted Buddha statues arranged in a sacred wheel pattern.
Another must-visit spot for reflection and peaceful meditation in Missoula is the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center. This hub for education and activism serves to promote peace, justice and nonviolent action based on the ethics of Missoulian and activist, Jeanette Rankin, the first woman to hold federal office in the United States.
Missoula is a cultural hub in western Montana, celebrating art and creativity at every turn. A peaceful activity to engage with in town is going on an outdoor explorative art walk or visiting Sculpture Park to experience art in the tranquility of nature.
Missoula may be known for its breweries, but it is also home to a winery where guests can enjoy samples of wine in a tranquil environment with gorgeous Missoula views at 10 Spoon Winery in the Rattlesnake neighborhood of Missoula.
No matter how you spend your time in Missoula, you are sure to find a myriad of ways to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect. From spa experiences and yoga classes to nourishing foods and tranquil locations, there is no place quite like Missoula to remember what matters most and show yourself some self care and self love.
