Rattlesnake Wilderness – Missoula’s Wild Backyard
Just a few miles up the road from downtown Missoula, the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness offers an immersive escape into untouched forests and mountain terrain. The Rattlesnake Mountains form a rugged, scenic vista that literally backdrop Missoula – and now you get to step into that postcard. At the main trailhead, you’ll trade pavement for a dirt path that follows Rattlesnake Creek into a pristine canyon. Towering ponderosa pines and firs line the trail, and the air carries the crisp scent of pine needles and fresh water. It’s hard to believe that just minutes ago you were in a city neighborhood; here, solitude and wilderness envelop you. The farther you venture, the denser the forest becomes. Sunlight filters through cedar boughs, illuminating patches of moss and wildflowers. Along the creek, you’ll find calm pools and babbling rapids – perfect for cooling your feet or snapping a long-exposure photo of silky cascades.
Photographers and nature lovers will be in heaven. The Rattlesnake Wilderness is characterized by scenic lakes, forested ridges, cliff-banded slopes, and rocky peaks that beckon exploration. If you’re feeling adventurous, numerous side trails branch upward to hidden alpine lakes or panoramic overlooks. Every season offers something special: autumn brings golden larch trees and elk bugling in the distance, while winter drapes the wilderness in snow (a backcountry skier’s dream scene). Wildlife is abundant – the area is home to deer, elk, moose, and even predators like black bears and mountain lions (though these elusive residents are rarely seen by casual hikers). More likely, you’ll spot evidence of critters: tracks in the mud, a flash of a trout in the creek, or the chatter of a squirrel upset by your intrusion into his woods. Knowing that wolves and even the occasional grizzly roam the high country here adds to the thrill – you are truly in the wild, yet just a stone’s throw from Missoula’s streets.
After a rewarding day of hiking in the Rattlesnake, head back to town with a hearty appetite. This is the perfect time to indulge in some Missoula comfort food. You might swing by Michi Ramen downtown, where a steaming bowl of tonkotsu or miso ramen awaits to warm you up (nothing hits the spot after a cool mountain hike like rich broth and noodles). Or, if you’re craving something with a kick, join the locals in tracking down the M-80 Chicken food truck. Parked near downtown in the KettleHouse Brewery lot, M-80 serves up Nashville-style hot fried chicken sandwiches that will make your taste buds sing – their signature “hot sando” pairs perfectly with a cold local brew. m80chicken.com
Whether you choose ramen or hot chicken, you’ll find that Missoula’s food scene knows how to reward your wilderness wanderings with flavorful fuel.
Greenough Park – An Urban Oasis on Rattlesnake Creek
Sometimes the best photography spots are the simplest. Greenough Park is a 42- acre slice of nature tucked right into Missoula’s urban fabric, offering a peaceful refuge from the city hubbub. As you wander into Greenough Park, you’re immediately embraced by a lush canopy of cottonwood and maple trees. The temperature drops a few degrees under the shade, and the sounds of traffic fade, replaced by bird songs and the gentle gurgle of Rattlesnake Creek. This park was Missoula’s first, donated in 1902 to be “forever maintained in its natural state” – and indeed, it feels like a pocket of wild forest magically preserved within city limits.
A one-mile interpretive loop trail follows the creek closely, crossing over via wooden bridges at points and meandering past interpretive signs that help you identify the local flora and fauna. Early morning is pure enchantment here: rays of sunlight slant through the trees, illuminating a mist hovering above the water. Over 100 species of birds have been spotted in Greenough Park, so it’s an avian photographer’s delight. You might catch sight of a great horned owl sleeping on a branch, colorful western tanagers flitting between leaves, or ducks paddling in the eddies. In summer, the creek is low and kids wade in to chase minnows or build rock dams, their laughter echoing under the bridge. In winter, a fresh snowfall turns Greenough into a black-and-white wonderland – the creek still flowing in parts with dramatic ice formations along the banks.
Find a picnic spot by the water (there are picnic tables and grassy patches alike) and let the serenity wash over you. You could spend an hour or an afternoon here – time seems to slow down in Greenough’s gentle embrace. If you’ve picked up sandwiches or snacks in town (say, some extra treats from Tagliare or Le Petit Outré), this is an idyllic place to enjoy them. With the creek babbling nearby and perhaps a friendly chickadee perched inquisitively above, don’t be surprised if you feel like you’ve stepped into a painting. Greenough Park is Missoula’s little Eden, perfect for families, photographers, or anyone needing a break and a breath of fresh air.
Boone and Crockett Club (Old Milwaukee Depot) – History on the Riverfront
Down by the river in downtown Missoula stands a striking brick building that looks like a vintage railroad depot – because it is! The Old Milwaukee Depot, built in 1910, today houses the Boone and Crockett Club’s national headquarters and a fascinating public gallery. This historic architectural gem boasts tall arched windows, an elegant terra-cotta facade, and a clock tower that harkens back to the glory days of railroad travel. Framed by the Clark Fork River in the foreground and Mount Sentinel rising behind, the depot is a dream subject for photographers interested in historic architecture and cityscapes. Often you can catch the reflection of the depot in the river on a calm day, trains of clouds drifting overhead as if paying homage to the locomotives that once steamed in.
Step inside (weekday hours) and you’ll discover the Boone and Crockett Club Visitors’ Gallery, which offers a unique mini-museum experience. Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club is dedicated to wildlife conservation – and their gallery showcases displays of North American big game animals from grizzly bears to musk oxen. Mounts of elk and bighorn sheep adorn the walls, and exhibits tell the story of how conservation efforts have preserved these creatures. It’s part taxidermy hall, part history lesson, and wholly interesting – especially for kids who stare wide-eyed at the life-size bear. You’ll also glean some cool facts about Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy and how this very organization helped shape wildlife management in the United States.
Outside, the riverfront lawn behind the depot (adjacent to Caras Park) is an excellent spot to relax with a view. From here, you can watch anglers working the riffles or catch kayakers and surfers taking on Brennan’s Wave just downstream. The Boone and Crockett Club building itself, with its grand old-timey presence, often hosts community events on the lawn – don’t be surprised to stumble upon a summer wedding or a conservation fundraiser banquet under a big white tent. Even if you’re just passing by, this spot is well worth a stop on your downtown walk. Snap a few photos of the depot’s riverside profile at golden hour, when the bricks glow red-orange and the Clark Fork reflects the sky – it’s Missoula history and scenery in one frame.
