Recreation is a four-season word in Missoula, Montana, so it is no surprise that locals and visitors alike take to the trails in the snowy months as well as the summer months. Winter hiking is a serene experience that offers often-sparsely populated trails, tranquility and solitude with nature, stunning views, and the chance to get outside and enjoy nature no matter the weather. Winter hikers will want to dress for the season in warm layers, including base layers and wind-resistant outer layers, thick socks, waterproof and sturdy hiking books, and hand and ear coverings. Trekking poles may provide stability, and accessories like Yaktrax or ice cleats may be desirable to prevent slipping on icy patches of trail. Due to Missoula's location, access to trails is convenient all-year long. Here are some of our favorite winter hiking locations in Missoula.
Located just outside of downtown Missoula, Waterworks Hill provides a fast and scenic hiking option. After a short uphill burst, hikers will be rewarded with fairly flat walking along the ridgeline. With rolling hills, expansive views of the city, and panoramic scenes of the surrounding mountains, Waterworks is a go-to spot to recreate in the winter months.
A lesser-visited trail due to its location slightly out of town, Maclay Flat is not to be overlooked in the winter months. This short and scenic 1.7 mile loop trail features snow-covered meadows, great views along the icy banks of the Bitterroot River, gorgeous cottonwood and willow trees and views of the surrounding mountains. The terrain is flat, the trail is wide, and the parking area is easily accessible and features a bathroom. This is a great spot to explore the flatlands of Missoula in the winter months!
Blue Mountain transforms into a winter wonderland with a wide variety of trails perfect for hiking in the snow. The main trail climbs through thick pine forests, gentle switchbacks open into meadows blanketed in white, offering sweeping views of the Bitterroot Valley and Lolo Peak in the distance, making for an epic and stunning hike in Missoula.
Pattee Canyon is the perfect winter escape, with its network of trails winding through a forest of gorgeous ponderosa pines. The main loop offers gentle terrain and a wide path (formerly a logging road), and is a very popular cross-country skiing location as well. Steeper side trails provide a more challenging ascent where ice grips or cleats are recommended.
Located just north of town through, Rattlesnake Recreation Area is a magical winter retreat. The main trailhead follows Rattlesnake Creek, which freezes over in the wintertime, and unique rock wall formations that open up to gorgeous snowy meadows, mountain views, and a picture-perfect forest. The main trail is also fairly flat and follows an old logging road for the first several miles (the trail itself is over 21 miles long and ends in Lolo National Forest). Hiking the Rattlesnake in the winter is a truly unforgettable experience.
If you are looking for an option to walk and hike in town, consider Greenough Park or the Riverfront Trail. Greenough Park is located along the southern portion of the Rattlesnake Creek and features a series of paved and unpaved walkways that weave through the gently rolling foothills of the mountains surrounding town. The Riverfront Trail, winding through downtown Missoula, is a paved and well-maintained route in the winter months (in fact, sometimes the trail is plowed before the roads), making it a great option for those who are short on time or would like to explore the restaurants, shops, and cafes of town as they get in some outdoor recreation in the winter months.
