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MissoulaMissoula, Montana

Missoula.
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

Give Missoula 2 nights as a base for the Rattlesnake and the Clark Fork, or 1 night if you are only passing through on I-90.

Missoula sits at the hub of five valleys in western Montana, about 118 mi west of Butte and 165 mi east of Coeur d'Alene on I-90. It is a university town with a walkable downtown, a river running through it, and trailheads you can reach by city bus. Most travellers use it as a two-night stop between Glacier and Yellowstone, or as a base for fly fishing and hiking.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
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More ways in
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Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar for skiing
avoid Jul–Aug wildfire smoke (check air quality), Jan–Feb cold snaps
Airport
Missoula (MSO)
Nights
2

About Missoula

Missoula is a mid-sized city in western Montana, home to roughly 73,000 people as of 2020. It lies in the state's northwest region, known as Glacier Country, and serves as the centre of five surrounding valleys. The University of Montana is based here, and the town is known for its lively downtown and easy access to the Rattlesnake Recreation Area and other outdoor options.

Residents tend to think of Missoula as the most liberal place in Montana, and the population blends ranchers, cowboys, students, artists and athletes. Many university graduates stay on, so a local cook or barista may hold at least a bachelor's degree. The Clark Fork River runs through the centre, and mountains surround the city. Interstate 90 passes through, with Butte 118 mi to the west and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, 165 mi to the east.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Missoula: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices

See

What is worth your time in Missoula.

  • Caras Park — A downtown gathering place for festivals and small concerts, with brick plazas and a pavilion, next to a hand-carved wooden carousel.
  • Historical Museum at Fort Missoula — A museum and 32-acre park with rotating exhibits and over 20 preserved buildings from the fort and a WWII internment camp.
  • Missoula Art Museum — It shows rotating Western art and works with community arts groups, and admission is free.
  • Missoula County Courthouse — The historic building holds eight original murals by E.S. Paxson.
  • Montana Museum of Art & Culture — A University of Montana museum with a rotating permanent collection and outdoor artwork; a campus artwalk map is available.

Do

  • Hike, raft, tube, rock climb, ski, fish or golf, with a city bus able to reach within walking distance of a federally designated wilderness area.
  • Attend a Pioneer League baseball game played by the Missoula Paddleheads at Orgren Park at Allegiance Field.
  • Visit Splash Montana, the city-owned waterpark in Playfair Park, open June through August.
  • Play disc golf at Blue Mountain, an 18-hole wooded course, or try the beginner course at Meadow Hill Middle School.

Eat and drink

Specialities of this place.

  • Missoula Farmer's Market — Held during summer months at the former Northern Pacific Railway Station.
  • Local food and drink downtown — The historic downtown is where residents go for local food and drink after a day outdoors.

Customs

  • Residents often regard Missoula as Montana's most liberal city, and the population mixes ranchers, cowboys, hippies, yuppies, students, artists, athletes and recreationalists.
  • The city identifies culturally with the Pacific Northwest even though it sits within the Rocky Mountains region.
  • University of Montana graduates often stay, producing a workforce where many workers hold at least a bachelor's degree.

Events

  • First Friday — Art galleries open to passersby with free music and food.monthly
  • Forestry Day — Held in late April at Fort Missoula, with professional timber sports such as log rolling and speed climbing.April
Emergency numbers for Missoula911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Missoula, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Street or quick mealBurrito or pizza slice$8–15
  • BeerCraft beer: draught in a brewpub / can at a store$6–9$2–4
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshareSurge pricing at night.$12–18
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Missoula Art Museum)Free
  • Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedDowntown hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
  • High-end bedDowntown hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Clark Fork River and Caras ParkUniversity of Montana and the M trailRattlesnake National Recreation AreaCraft breweries and the Saturday farmers market
Airports
MSO Missoula International Airport (About 7 mi northwest of downtown on W Broadway; Mountain Line route 11 connects to the downtown Lewis & Clark Transit Center.)

Map of Missoula

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

LoloRavalliSeeley LakeHamiltonSuperior, MontanaPhilipsburg, MontanaPolsonDeer Lodge

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Missoula
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Care

    0°C (32°F)

  2. Feb

    Care

    3°C (37°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    9°C (48°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    13°C (56°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  7. Jul

    Care

    30°C (85°F)

  8. Aug

    Care

    29°C (84°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    13°C (56°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    4°C (40°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    −1°C (31°F)

Best: Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec. Mixed: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (30°C (85°F)), coolest Dec (−8°C (18°F) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Missoula: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

0°C (32°F)

−8°C (18°F)

9 rd

Feb

3°C (37°F)

−6°C (21°F)

8 rd

Mar

9°C (48°F)

−3°C (27°F)

9 rd

Apr

13°C (56°F)

0°C (32°F)

10 rd

May

19°C (66°F)

4°C (40°F)

11 rd

Jun

23°C (73°F)

8°C (46°F)

10 rd

Jul

30°C (85°F)

11°C (51°F)

6 rd

Aug

29°C (84°F)

10°C (50°F)

6 rd

Sep

23°C (73°F)

6°C (42°F)

7 rd

Oct

13°C (56°F)

0°C (32°F)

8 rd

Nov

4°C (40°F)

−4°C (25°F)

9 rd

Dec

−1°C (31°F)

−8°C (18°F)

10 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Downtown is walkable. Mountain Line buses cover the city and reach the Rattlesnake trailhead; a car is better for the surrounding valleys and the airport. Rideshare and taxis serve the airport.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Seeley Lake

go

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Drive Highway 83 north, about 1 h

Lake swimming and forest trails; check fire closures in summer.

Lolo Pass

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Drive US-12 southwest, about 45 mi

Nordic ski trails groomed on weekends in winter.

Flathead Lake and Whitefishovernight

Door to door: 2–2.5 h

Drive US-93 north, about 2 h to Whitefish

Too far for a relaxed return day; sleep one night.

Glacier National Park (West Glacier)

overnight

Door to door: About 3 h

Drive US-2 northeast, about 2 h 30 min

A full day each way; base at East Glacier or Whitefish instead.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown / Higgins Avenue

Walk to Caras Park, restaurants and the farmers market; best for a car-free stay.

University District

Tree-lined streets near the UM campus and the M trail; quieter, 15–20 min walk to downtown.

Reserve Street / Brooks Street

Chain hotels and big-box stores south of downtown; you need a car for everything.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$70–110 excl. bed
Mid
$120–190 excl. bed
High
$200+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Downtown hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$180US$360
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$130US$520
Airport shuttle or rideshare, both ways2 × US$60US$120
Mountain Line day pass2 × US$4US$8
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$104
Trip total≈ US$286 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,142

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Burrito or pizza slice$8–15
Craft beer: draught in a brewpub / can at a store$6–9 / $2–4
5 km taxi or rideshareSurge pricing at night.$12–18
Museum entry (Missoula Art Museum)Free
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Missoula is a safe small city; the real risks are summer wildfire smoke, winter driving on mountain passes and fast-moving river water. Lock your car at trailheads.
  • Summer wildfire smoke can cancel hiking plans: check air quality before you commit to a long trail.
  • Winter roads and mountain passes can close; carry chains or check conditions on I-90 and Highway 93.
  • Some trailheads have no water and limited parking; go early on weekends.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

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MissoulaMissoula, Montana

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Missoula; most countries have consulates in Denver or Seattle and embassies in Washington, DC.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • MSO airport → downtown, rideshare: $25–40, about 15 min
  • Mountain Line bus, single ride: $1–2, day pass about $4
  • Downtown → Rattlesnake trailhead, bus: Route 11 or 2, about 20 min

Say or show

  • Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
  • Is there a shuttle to the airport? — Is there a shuttle to the airport?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
  • Thank you — Thank you

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Missoula. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar for skiing · avoid Jul–Aug wildfire smoke (check air quality), Jan–Feb cold snaps · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for MSO: Mountain Line route 11 schedule, taxi and rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: downtown and Caras Park, the Hip Strip, the University District and the M trail.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Missoula Art Museum, Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, Caras Park) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Wildfire and winter-storm fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Missoula

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