A Local’s Favorite Hikes Near Missoula (Plus Which Ones to Avoid)

Last year, I hiked over 250 miles on over 75 hikes – and most of them were in the Missoula area.

To say I’ve seen a few trails would be an understatement.

I’ve learned which trails I prefer and which ones to avoid – and now I’m here to share that information with you.

But first, I think it’s worth clarifying the difference between a HIKE and a WALK.

There are some awesome trails in and near Missoula. But I would consider most of them to be a “walk”. They scratch the itch for some time outdoors in a way that you won’t find in most other towns.

But I don’t live in the Rocky Mountains to go walking near town.

That’s why all the hikes below are real hikes. They’re trails in the mountains that mean adventure. So grab your daypack and some hiking poles, and let’s go somewhere incredible.

Blodgett Canyon Overlook

• Distance: 2.9 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 538 feet
• Difficulty: moderately easy
• Features: forest, mountain views
• Bathroom at Trailhead? Yes
• Phone Service? Yes

One of the first hikes we ever did in Missoula was Blodgett Canyon Overlook, and wow, did we have our minds blown.

At only 2.9 miles round-trip, this trail is easily the best bang for your buck for insane mountain views.

The trail starts in the foothills of the Bitterroot Mountains and traverses the side of the mountain. On a steady incline, you’ll walk through new growth forest (it burned in 2000) and get some peak-a-views of the Bitterroot Valley.

But the real showstopper view is at the end of the trail, when you arrive at this INSANE overlook of Blodgett Canyon.

The canyon was carved out by Ice Age glaciers, which left behind steeply carved granite mountainsides. The distance from the peak to the creek below can surpass 2,000 vertical feet in some places.

Pictures don’t do justice to the scale of this canyon. You have to see it for yourself!

Bear Creek Overlook

• Distance: 4.5 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 1,154 feet
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: pine forest, mountain views
• Bathroom at Trailhead? No
• Phone Service? Yes

Bear Creek Overlook is our #1 favorite hike when it comes to mountain views in the Bitterroots. You have to work a little harder than Blodgett Canyon, but the expansive view at the end is 100% worth it.

The dirt road to the trailhead is long and winding, but most vehicles can make it no problem. You’ll be thankful that this drive up saves you some significant elevation gain on foot.

From the trailhead, the climb is steady and moderately difficult. The pine forest is beautiful, so there’s no shortage of things to admire.

The trail climbs through the forest until it comes to a huge outcropping on the backside of the mountain.

There are mountain views in every direction. I could spend hours just sitting there taking in the view.

10/10 would recommend.

Read more details about this trail on our full write-up: Bear Creek Overlook Trail.

Heart & Pearl Lakes (Superior, MT)

• Distance: 6-7.8 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 1,157-1,620 feet
• Difficulty: moderately difficult
• Features: forest, lakes, mountains
• Bathroom at Trailhead? Yes
• Phone Service? No

Heart & Pearl Lakes Trail is what we call the “quintessential mountain hike” because it has everything: alpine lakes, mountain views, forests, wildflowers, and tons of huckleberry bushes.

Whenever we have visitors who want to see the mountains, this is where we bring them.

Plus, the lake is the perfect place for a cold dip on a warm summer day. (I mean, look at that water. Doesn’t it make you want to jump in?)

Heart Lake is about 3 miles from the trailhead and has a gain of 1,150 feet in elevation. This means it’s a moderate hike with some decent uphill climbing.

It’s another 0.9 miles and 460 feet in elevation gain to Pearl Lake. This portion of the trail is steeper and more difficult, but the wildflowers were as tall as we were, and the huckleberries were EVERYWHERE.

While those two factors made the climb worth it for us, we also could see how stopping at Heart Lake could be enough adventure for one day.

Plus, we love how this area of the Bitterroot Mountains is more lush and cooler than other parts – this means it will be cooler and greener than it will be in Missoula, even on a hot summer day.

Morrell Falls

• Distance: 5.5 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 436 feet
• Difficulty: easy
• Features: waterfall, forest
• Bathroom at Trailhead? Yes
• Phone Service? No

Morrell Falls National Recreation Trail is a little bit of a drive from Missoula, but it’s the best waterfall within a two-hour radius of town.

The trail starts in a remote area far from any towns and winds its way through the forest on mostly flat ground.

There are a couple of ponds and small lakes on the way, and we saw lots of wildflowers in the early season.

The rumble of the falls can be heard from afar, and up close, you will be blown away by the power of the water flowing off the 90-foot double waterfall.

We went in May to catch the waterfall during runoff (highly recommend), but I’m sure it’s beautiful year-round.

As a bonus, the rocks at the base of the falls showcase the rainbow rock that’s native to western Montana. You won’t find anything like it anywhere else!

Mount Sentinel via Crazy Canyon

• Distance: 7 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 1,213 feet
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: forest, town views
• Bathroom at Trailhead? Yes
• Phone Service? Yes

I hiked Mount Sentinel via Crazy Canyon fairly early in the season, which is why the grass in the photo above looks quite dead. I was pleasantly surprised at how clear the trail was of snow despite this peak’s elevation.

In my opinion, this trail from Crazy Canyon is the best way to summit Mount Sentinel. The trail follows an old forest service road that gradually winds its way up from the back of the mountain.

The gradual incline makes it easier and more enjoyable than summiting from the “M” Trail.

Plus, I enjoyed walking through the endless ponderosa pine forest before enjoying an incredible view of Missoula and the surrounding area.

If you’re looking for a great view of Missoula, then this is your best bet.

Holland Lake & Falls

• Distance: 3.1 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 495 feet
• Difficulty: easy
• Features: waterfall, lake, ponderosa forest
• Bathroom at Trailhead? No
• Phone Service? No

Holland Lake & Falls is the farthest trail on this list, but it’s also one of our favorites. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Missoula, making it an awesome day trip adventure.

On your drive in, we recommend stopping to see the 163-foot Gus (the world’s largest larch) in Seeley Lake, then stopping for an early lunch at Casa Caro for Mexican food.

Then continue to the Holland Falls National Recreation Trail. The trail follows the edge of Holland Lake and gently rises to the 75-foot falls.

The trail offers INCREDIBLE views of Holland Lake and its stunning blue water. Near the falls, there’s an INSANE view of Holland Lake and the Mission Mountains in the distance.

After your hike, drive to the beach on the west end of Holland Lake and take an afternoon dip in the beautiful water before driving back to Missoula.

Trapper Peak

• Distance: 8.1 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 3,740 feet
• Difficulty: extremely difficult
• Features: mountain views

Trapper Peak is the only hike on this list I haven’t done yet. But it’s on my to-hike list for this summer.

If you want a trail that’s comparable to summiting 14ers in Colorado, then look no further.

Trapper Peak’s 3,740 feet of elevation gain will murder you, then wow you with its insane mountain views.

Talk about an adventure of a lifetime.

Another great option for a summit hike that’s also on my to-do list is Reservation Divide Trail #98 to Ch-paa-qn Peak. It’s only 7.1 miles round-trip with 1,965 feet in elevation gain – that sounds much more manageable!

Skip the “M” and the “L” – Hike Waterworks Hill Instead

• Distance: less than 3.5 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 711 feet
• Difficulty: moderate
• Features: town views, wildflowers
• Bathroom at Trailhead? Portapotty
• Phone Service? Yes

Let me tell you a short story.

When we first moved to Missoula, everyone said that we HAD to hike the “M”. So one day I did.

And it sucked.

So much so that I thought it was some local joke to get newbies and tourists to hike the “M”.

The trail is all switchbacks that wind straight up the hill. It was busy, steep, and hot. And the view wasn’t worth it (in my honest opinion).

And once you reach the “M”, you can’t even tell that it’s an “M”. You’re just standing on a huge rock slab.

Unless you are training for something, I don’t recommend this trail.

INSTEAD, I recommend hiking Waterworks Hill. It’s just as close to town as the “M” but outperforms it in the following ways:

• The incline is more gradual and less suffer-fest
• There are more flowers
• The trail is wider and easier to pass on
• You can hike longer (if you want) without having to climb straight uphill

And one of the best parts is that you can see both the “M” and the “L” from Waterworks Hill.

Skip Rattlesnake – Hike Bass Creek Instead

• Distance: any distance out and back
• Elevation Gain: gradual
• Difficulty: moderately easy
• Features: river, forest, mountains
• Bathroom at Trailhead? Yes
• Phone Service? Limited

Don’t get me wrong – Rattlesnake Recreation Area is one of my favorite places in Missoula.

It’s part of my regularly scheduled programming, especially in the off-season.

But if you’re looking for a HIKE and not a walk, then I recommend going to Bass Creek instead.

It’s a little farther outside of town, and the trail is a little steeper.

But it’s worth it.

There’s more to see, and this region is more mountainous than what most people can access in the Rattlesnake area.

Nearby Kootenai Creek is also a great alternative to Rattlesnake.

Bass Creek and Kootenai Creek trails go on for upwards of 15 miles each way, so just hike to your heart’s content and turn around when you’re ready.

Walks Around Town

All the suggestions above are hikes, but I know hiking isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

So if you’re looking to get outside for a walk near town, here are some of my favorites:

• Rattlesnake National Recreation Site: As mentioned earlier, Rattlesnake is a great place for a walk in the woods. The Rattlesnake Trail is pretty flat and follows the river through ponderosa pine forest.
• Blue Mountain Recreation Area is located just west of town and is home to over 40 miles of trails that wind through the forest. This is an off-leash area for dogs (as long as they have proper voice recall) so be prepared to see lots of pups.
• Milwaukee Trail: Park at Allegiance Field and walk along the pathway going east. You’ll pass through McCormick Park, Clark Fork Natural Area, and Toole Park, all while following the beautiful Clark Fork River. This trail is also great for biking, and you can make it a longer route by continuing onto the Kim Williams Nature Trail.
• Pattee Canyon is a series of trails just 10 minutes outside of town. The trails wind through beautiful ponderosa pine forests and are relatively flat.
• Kelly Island Loop is a 0.9-mile loop on the Clark Fork River that is perfect for a flat walk near the river.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re looking to go for an easy walk near town or a hard hike in the surrounding mountains, Missoula has something for everyone.

No matter the time of year or the type of weather, I’ve always found something to do outdoors.

We love living in Missoula, and I hope you enjoy wherever the adventure takes you while you’re here!

P.S. – Remember to follow Leave No Trace rules and ALWAYS CARRY BEAR SPRAY when hiking in the mountains.