Sitting at the confluence of three rivers, and tucked perfectly within the Northern Rockies is the town of Missoula, Montana. Once a small, peaceful community, Missoula came to fame thanks to the 1976 Norman Maclean novella, and the 1992 film, “A River Runs Through It.”
This book and movie put Missoula on the map, and today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Montana.
Missoula may not be the perfect destination for every tourist, but if you love outdoor recreational activities like hiking, fly-fishing, mountain biking or skiing, Missoula is the perfect spot for your next adventure.
In this article, we will take a look at everything there is to do in Missoula, Montana so that you can get the most our of your visit.
Your Guide to Missoula, Montana
A Little History
Established in 1860 as the Hellgate Trading Post, Missoula got its start by European settlers who started coming to the area around 1853. The city moved from the Hellgate Trading Post area to about 5 miles east where the name was changed to Missoula Mills.
The mills provided essential supplies to settlers traveling west through Montana, and when Fort Missoula was established in 1877, the economy of the area was stabilized, and the community began to grow.
The largest boom in growth and development occurred around the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad to the area. With the railroad came a new industry to the area that allowed the population to thrive. The lumber industry supported the local economy for nearly 100-year. The lumber mills closed in 2009, but Missoula continues to be a vibrant and bustling city.
Today, Missoula thrives on its tourism industry along with being home to the University of Montana and numerous other businesses.
In this article, we will take a deeper look at Missoula, Montana, and everything that there is to do in the city and surrounding area.
The Top 3 Hotels in Missoula
