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Home Page > Montana > Top Things To Do In Montana > Missoula, Montana |
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Missoula Area Attractions
Includes Fort Missoula, Missoula Downtown Historic District,
Smokejumper Visitor Center _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Hub of Five Valleys" Missoula, Montana is Montana's second largest city, and is located in the heart of Western Montana and close to many major Montana Attractions. Known as the "Hub of Five Valleys", Missoula rests in a broad valley along Interstate 90 and is surrounded by mountains and valleys, all providing fantastic outdoor ![]() The fabled Clark Fork River runs directly through the town, where there is a fantastic walking/hiking trail along its banks that locals as well as visitors can thoroughly enjoy. Some of the nearby attractions include The Bitterroot Valley, National Bison Range, Fort Missoula, Lolo Pass, Seely-Swan Valley and Ovando Valley. And only 70 miles to the north along U.S. Highway 93 is the legendary Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. And just northeast of Flathead Lake is the world-renowned Glacier National Park, which is just 3 hours from Missoula. And by the way, Yellowstone National Park is 3 and a half hours from Missoula, making it the half-way point between these two iconic national parks. Nicknamed the "Garden City" because of its reasonably mild climate, Missoula is a gorgeous town nestled in the heart of Western Montana, and is well worth spending some time during your Montana vacation discovering and exploring the town and surrounding attractions. ![]() Missoula, Montana ![]() Walking/Biking Trail and the Clark Fork River running through the center of Missoula Montana. _________________________________________________________
Missoula Montana Google Map Location _________________________________________________________ Brief History Lewis and Clark actually came through this valley in 1805, but the first establishment was founded in 1860, where Missoula was first part of the Washington Territory and was originally known as the Hellgate Trading Post. This important center of trade in the mid 1800s was moved 5 miles upstream and renamed Missoula ![]() Missoula Downtown Historic District The Missoula Downtown Historic District is home to many wonderful historic buildings, so if you're interested in history and historic buildings, then you will definitely want to spend some time discovering and exploring this historic area. The Missoula Downtown Association provides visitors with a wonderful walking tour which shows you and tells you all about these historic structures. The Wilma Building (1921), Missoula Mercantile (1866), Florence Hotel (1941), Headquarters Building (1892), Gleim Building -Brothel (1890), Gleim II Building-Brothel (1893), Studebaker Building (1909), Palace Hotel (1910), Missoula County Courthouse (1910), Simons Block (1899), Higgins Block (1889), Masonic Temple (1909), U.S. Post Office/Federal Building (1909), Northern Pacific Railroad Depot (1883), St. Francis Xavier Church (1891) are an example of what awaits you in the Missoula Downtown Historic District. There are 20 additional downtown buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ![]() One of Missoula Montana's numerous historic buildings. Fort Missoula Historic District ![]() Built by the 7th Infantry, shortly after its construction, soldiers from Fort Missoula attacked the Nez Perce camp lead by Chief Joseph at the legendary Battle of the Big Hole, and were defeated. The second in command of Fort Missoula, Captain William Logan, was killed during this bloody battle. Later that year the third infantry, lead by General William Sherman then came in an expanded the fort and replaced the 7th Infantry, and also repaired 100 miles of the wagon train Mullen Road between Missoula and the Idaho border. Then in 1888, Fort Missoula became home to the famous Buffalo Soldiers of the 25th Infantry. Among many other things, the Buffalo Soldiers were known for experimenting with bicycles by creating a bicycle trail all the way to St. Louis, Missouri. This bicycle trail has been revived in ![]() ![]() ![]() Fort Missoula Historic District, Missoula Montana ![]() and Visitor Center Missoula Montana is home to the largest smokejumper base in America, and the Smokejumper Visitor Center provides its visitors a fascinating interactive experience as they learn all about this important and dangerous profession. Free tours of the smokejumper facility include visits to the smokejumper loft, museum, 1930 fire lookout tower, Smokejumper Memorial and a Smokejumper aircraft. If you're timing is good, you may even get to watch Smokejumpers actually dispatched to a forest fire! ![]() U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center, Missoula Montana. Clark Fork River The Clark Fork River, also known as the Clark Fork of the Columbia River, flows 310 miles and is the largest river by volume in the State of Montana. Originating as Silver Bow Creek near Butte, Montana, and ![]() The Clark Fork River flows directly through the city of Missoula as it heads toward a long valley adjacent to the Cabinet Range of Northwest Montana before emptying into Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille. The Clark Fork River is an outdoor recreation enthusiast's dream come true as it provides outstanding fly fishing opportunities as well as white water rafting opportunities through what is known as the Alberton Gorge, located just west of Missoula. Bitterroot Valley ![]() The broad Bitterroot Valley is home to the Bitterroot River, which is another fly fishing dream come true. U.S. Highway 93 runs through the Bitterroot Valley as well, which is dotted with several charming towns that each have their own unique and fascinating history as well as fun shops and attractions. There is also one of the most important locations in the entire Lewis and Clark Expedition, as it is the only site along the entire journey that actually has physical proof of this historic 1804-1805 expedition. Click Here to learn more about the amazing Bitterroot Valley. ![]() The National Bison Range is located near U.S. Highway 93, only 47 miles north of Missoula. This wildlife refuge is home to about 500 buffalo (bison), as well as a host of other fascinating wildlife species. Created in 1908, the National Bison Range is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the country, and not only is it a great place to see bison and other wildlife, but the scenery here is absolutely breathtaking. CLICK HERE for more information on the National Bison Range located north of Missoula. U.S. Highway 93 North Scenic Drive The 115 mile drive between Missoula and Kalispell Montana along U.S. Highway 93 North is not only the most popular route to Glacier National Park, but is also an incredibly scenic drive that deserves mentioning. Travelers will enjoy broad valleys and towering mountains, as well as Flathead Lake, which is ![]() Beyond the junction to the National Bison Range, the highway will climb in elevation slightly just before it drops into the Mission Valley near St. Ignatius. At the highest point there is a scenic pullout that is very much worth your while. The Mission Range seems to touch the sky as it rises high above the valley floor. And once you drop into the Mission Valley, these amazing mountains loom over you to the east all the way to Flathead Lake. And don’t forget to stop at the historic St. Ignatius Mission along the way. Once U.S. Highway 93 reaches Flathead Lake at Polson Montana, it then follows the west shore of this massive lake as it works its way to Kalispell Montana. There are several scenic pullouts, marinas, wineries, state parks and charming towns such as Lakeside to enjoy along this scenic drive. Flathead Lake ![]() Not only does the highway drive through extremely scenic landscape, it takes you on of the most beautiful and pristine lakes found anywhere in North America. Flathead Lake is renowned for its water sports and fishing opportunities, as well as the charming towns along its shores that provide wonderful shopping, lodging and dining. Beyond Flathead Lake, further to the north is the town of Kalispell and the West Entrance to Glacier National Park. CLICK HERE for more details about Flathead Lake and the surrounding area. Top Things To Do In Montana: Missoula Area Attractions
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