Rattlesnake National Recreation Area Reviews

While visiting family in Missoula we went for a hike near there home. Good graveled path for there young children. Will be going back on our next visit. Very scenic with a beautiful stream.

A wide range of hikes, shaded by trees. Perfect for bike rides, running and hiking. We also saw some people on horseback. Multiple restroom facilities. This trail follows a river.

Very diverse and large recreation area. Some steep single tracks away from the crowds. Followed main trail about 15 miles into the higher elevation...no people there!! Deer and an eagle..beautiful streams for fishing!

The Rattlesnake wilderness area is large and it is a fairly moderate-strenuous hike to access most portions of the wilderness. You can spend weeks exploring the wilderness or just a couple of hours. The close access to town makes for great day excursions.

Hiking. Trail riding, mountain biking, or cross county skiing, this lovely and well kept forest is great no matter the season. I have enjoyed it sine 1973 when some students introduced me to it. we keep coming back year after year even when we lived thousands of miles away. This year we skied, hiked and mountain biked while visiting the area. There are trails for everyone young and old. there are relatively flat trails and those for people who like to gain elevation. There are Trails that are fairly well used and trails that are remote and quiet.

Living in the west often requires a drive of some distance to see what is "out there", but not when you are in Missoula! It's just a short walk away with great trails and creek and nature all around. If you are visiting Missoula it's a 'not to miss' opportunity rarely found this close to a metropolitan area. Mountain bikes are welcome (with some restrictions and, of course, etiquette in mind) as well as joggers, mom's and dad's with kids, dogs on leashes...the whole family.

Great place. Very quiet, nice trails, easy to get to from downtown. Well maintained roads. Plenty of parking.

Stopping in Missoula for the night on a road trip, we saw this hiking trail and used it to stretch out. Nice peaceful walk along a very clear river. The trail maintained the same elevation and had loose stones. Lots of mountain bikers and runners. The trail width is perfect that you don't feel like you have to constantly move over for bikes. Less than 10 minutes to the parking lot from I-90. Lots of parking. The trees provide mostly shade, but there are some really sunny spots.

This is a nice hiking starting point for visitors to Missoula and the Rattlesnake Wilderness, especially for those without major advanced planning. It is a simple, wide, road-like trail that goes along a river. It was quite stunning in late spring and was used by all types of groups- mountain bikers, families with smaller children, dog people, couples, runners, etc.

What a convenient gem for local access to the outdoors. Great hiking, wildlife (if you go early), well-maintined trails; close to town.

Beautiful walking trails, beautiful creek. Despite what some will tell you, locals will told me there are not a lot of (or any) rattlesnakes around the area. Deer and mountain lions are another story. Be alert for the latter.

After driving 400 miles in one day, we definitely wanted to get out and stretch our legs without driving very far to do so. This place is a gem. A beautiful mountain area that is right next to Missoula, and filled with a gorgeous crystal clear river and wonderful hiking trails. While it is very popular, you can get off by yourself very easily. The hikes we took were easy, but you can certainly select more difficult ones. You can’t go wrong with this area.

Rattlesnake is great for hiking and biking. You can find several great day hikes or you can backpack in for an overnight. I spent spent a lot of time exploring Rattlesnake when I lived in Missoula. I saw a mountain lion here close to the parking area, so make some noise while hiking here.

It is a huge land mass natural habitat area to explore, admire the beauty and lends itself to participation year round. No food is available there however. Free and lovely. Come prepared and lock cars in trail head area

While visiting Missoula, a friend directed us to this extraordinary setting. We hiked in Rattlesnake recreational area on a sunny July day and it was wonderful. The trails allowed for privacy, even on a populated weekend day. A walk by the water helped manage the heat and the flowing river was mesmerizing. We didn't get far out into the wild here but hope to explore further in the future.

We visited Missoula, Montana for the very first time to tour the University of Montana campus for my daughter. Father and daughter trip.

We were there for 3 days and my daughter selected this Trail to go on a hike. Nearly walking distance from the hotel and campus.

Wide spacious DG Trail with a large flowing river. Such a peaceful and beautiful place.

Great for families.

Highly recommended

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, located four miles north of Missoula, Montana, offers 61,000 acres of glaciated topography that form Montana's premier urban wilderness, blending the best of both wilderness and civilization. Established in 1980, the U-shaped Rattlesnake basin is fed by more than 50 small creeks that begin as seeps from springs and melting snowbanks in the upper Wilderness portion of the National Recreation Area. Resting in the more than 30 high mountain lakes, crystal clear water than plunges down waterfalls to hanging valleys separated by sheer headwalls and carpets of sub-alpine fir, lodgepole pine and spruce sloping down to open Douglas fir and ponderosa pine parklands. The non-Wilderness part of the National Recreation Area, devoted to wildlife and recreation, is guarded by the southern flanks of Stuart Peak. From this prominent point north, a knife-edge ridge climbs still higher to the sentinel of the Rattlesnake-remote 8,620-foot McLeod Peak. There are more than 73 miles of hiking trails, many of which are also open to horseback riders, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers. The recreation area also is popular among fishermen, who seek bull trout, cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish. Flora and fauna abound. So does wildlife, including elk, white-tailed deer, mountain goats and grizzly bears. Bird-watchers may find over 40 bird species, including woodpecker, grey owl, ruffed grouse and American dipper. Visitors should exercise caution because grizzly bears, black bear and mountain lions frequent the area. How do you find Rattlesnake National Recreation Area? From I-90 in Missoula, take the Van Buren Street Exit 105 and head north. Van Buren will turn into Rattlesnake Drive. Stay on Rattlesnake Drive for about three miles until you reach the recreation area entrance.

Happened upon this area while randomly driving around Missoula because it was too windy (20-30 mph) to do anything else, or so we thought. Once we parked realized there was almost no wind, at least on the lower trails where we hiked about an hour in comfort in 28 deg weather. Beautiful trails, dusted with snow. Bathroom facilities along the trails, dogs allowed.

Easy access to beautiful, fairly level river walk hike. Beginning of trail used by joggers, hikers, and trail bikes. Keep right to follow and access beautiful Rattlesnake "cric" (creek). Otherwise, follow trail as far as you want into the wilderness if you have proper gear and bear spray. Wonderfully tall trees interspersed with meadows and mountain views.

First time here and definitely want to come back to explore more! There are handy trail maps and trail signs. Some nice views to be had as well. If you're a mtn biker or trail runner, this is worth checking out!

The Rattlesnake Wilderness (our local name is The Snake) is really a misnomer. None or few rattlesnakes (I have never seen one there & I live at it's edge). Breathtaking. Closest Wilderness area to a major city anywhere in the world. Elk, Big Horn sheep, Whitetail &/or Mule Deer on almost every trip. Higher up, even see Goats. Great trails. Busy, at times, but we usually never see anyone on the trail during the week. Can easily overnight, but because of it's closeness & easy access, it is very easy to day hike. Actually, every canyon around Missoula looks similar to the Rattlesnake. That is one of the reasons why it is so lightly used. This is a great hiking area for families with children. Our grandchildren are with us on almost every trip. The oldest is almost 4, but they ARE Montana tough. Grizzlies are very rare except at the extreme north end and are so close to humans here that they are more afraid of us than we of them. I live 1/2 mile outside the Snake on a mountain side, so I feel that these observations are accurate and representative of what you will find.

Only 4 miles out of Missoula you'd think you were in a national park. Well-maintained trails take you up mountains or on level ground along
Rattlesnake Creek (named for its curvy nature). This area provides recreational opportunities for all abilities. If you're into backpacking, follow the main trail and it'll take you into The Rattlesnake Wilderness with abundant wildlife and mountain lakes. Or sit by the creek and be soothed by its song. Even if you have only an hour or so to spare this is a wonderful place to explore.

Fantastic mountain biking. Super fun, flowy trails. Beautiful scenery. Tons of trail options. Wish I had time to ride there again.

Lovely hike today with our son. An old logging road turned into a walker, hiker, mountain biker paradise. Enchanted sound of the creek along much of the trail with side-trails allowed for hiking which exclude mountain bikes. Best of all worlds. We'll definitely be back.

One of the unique things about Missoula is how close a vibrant downtown is to the edge of true wilderness. You can hike for miles in the Rattlesnake and not see a sole. You can also stick to the tired and true trails and have a great hike without feeling like you've left town. You pick your pleasure. And yes, carry bear spray if you're heading up into the wilderness!

The rattlesnake recreation area is just outside Missoula. It provides year round recreation opportunities. Hiking, biking, jogging, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Some of the area is off limits to dogs due to the wildlife. We have seen a black bear eating berries, deer and other animals in the area. You can hike or bike back to the Wilderness area, but not ride your bikes in the Wilderness area. There are several bathrooms available on the trails and all the trails are marked with maps available. In the summer, be sure to get there early for parking.

My sister took us here for a "short" hike by Missoula standards that turned out to be a very easy but really long walk because you do not want to stop. Every turn is a nicer view of the river, another group of trees, and some of the most amazing wildflowers.

A wonderful place for hiking, biking and more just minutes outside of Missoula. There is an easy walk along Rattlesnake Creek and other more challenging hikes available.

So convenient, right off of town and easy to find. Lots of trails, beautiful scenery and right along the river. Great for families, people with pets, and for walking, jogging, or bike riding. There were loads of people there as it was a holiday, but still found parking along the road. Don't let that deter you,

I have always loved it that you can drive 4 miles north out of Missoula and in 10-15 minutes be in the Rattlesnake Wilderness. There is lots of parking and bathrooms at the trailhead. From here you can explore over 73 miles of trails, many of which are multi-use and open to horses, mountain bikers, cross country skiers and hikers. Elevations range from 4200-8600 at the summit of McLeod Peak, but there are trails suitable for all ages and abilities from flat walking along the creek to climbing high up into the mountain lakes and peak tops. Wildlife includes black bear, cougars, deer and elk and birdwatchers can find about 40 different species of birds.

Devon time there while visiting family. Went on a hike and others went for a bike ride. Then went by the water for the kids t play.

This trail was great!!! Mostly shaded and by the river. Little places you can wade into the water if you want. My dogs loved it! Weekend is crowded and parking is challenging. Weekday is less crowded. We went a couple of times.

It has it all for all seasons. Great to explore with the family. Or quiet trail run on my own. Or cross country ski adventure with the hubby. Well maintained trails. Beautiful area.

We needed a place to stretch our legs after a long drive in the car. This place was perfect. The trails are quite scenic and there are restrooms at the trailhead. The main trail follows along a stream. We liked this place so much, we decided to return for a morning hike before the next leg of our long trip.

excellent area for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
get out there and play!
bring a camera, and maybe a picnic because you will not want to leave.

Beautiful Rocky Mountain trails by crystal clear creeks, into rugged high country. Only 5 miles from downtown Missoula. Lots of wildlife.

A National Recreation and Wilderness area, right out Missoula's back door. 5 minute drive from downtown, and served by city bus line. Creek flows through, so easy and serene strolling can be enjoyed by all ages. Cross country skiing, biking, hiking all enjoyabe activities in the area. Years ago, a friend and I did an overnight hike up to one of the peaks, which had a lake at the base of the peak. Usually just do short day hikes. You can still see a couple places where homesteaders lived back in the day. Open spaces and wilderness areas close to town are so precious; this is a gem to be enjoyed. Good place for little ones to dabble by the creekside, throw rocks in the water, stretch their legs and blow off steam in a tranquil setting. Dogs allowed on leash. Maps of trails available at the trailhead.

The Bitterroot Mountains are beautiful. This hike is close to Hamilton. There is a dirt road that is pretty steep and curvy to a good parking area. Be careful of a wasps nest close to the start of the trail. A 2.8 mile hike with beautiful views back to the valley the whole way and the overlook view at the end is stunning (like Yosemite Valley).

We road motorcycle thru the park towards Idaho, very nice scenery, lots of curves, good hi way with some stops.

Quite a nice area for a hike - and accessible by city bus to boot! Good variety of trails.

Easy access, trails of easy and moderate level. Beautiful meadows, hills and streams just minutes from downtown.

Good trail[s] within easy reach of the greater Missoula area. Within minutes of walking you find yourself in the woods. Peace, quiet and the babble of Rattlesnake Creek. If you have enough time and energy you can continue on into a marvelous wilderness area that goes for miles.

First time here. Tried to hit the eastern area for a hike but found out it was closed due to one of the several fires running in the region. Came back to the main trailhead. Took the Rattlesnake trail which trails along a river. This is an easy out/back day hike that gets lots of use (we passed a few runners, dog walkers and bikers on a Tuesday mid day. Make sure you bring water. Once you get out of the forrest and start going uphill on the "intermediate" trails, you can work up a sweat in no time and we easily walked uphill in the sun for an hour straight. Beautiful area. Will try to visit again.

This is a magical recreation area. Less than 5 miles from down town Misoula, and you are transported to the Rattlesnake recreation and wilderness area. I've seen bear, big horn sheep, mountain goats and moose, along with beautiful waterfalls and mountains. Where else can you ride your bike from home, at 4 in the afternoon and arrive at a secluded camp site before dark, then home to a open lookout tower thenext day.

just a few minutes drive and you enter another pine scented world. A walking trail along a rushing creek, birds singing, tall pines swaying in the breeze, ancient rocks, cold mountain water and an occasional viewing of wildlife. priceless

At first I tried a less traveled section of the area where I saw people hiking, running and mountain biking. Plenty of wooded areas as well as hilly and flat areas...a little for everyone! Then I drove over to the busier trailhead and found plenty of trails there as well. I especially enjoyed the trails that closely followed Rattlesnake Creek.

We made a last minute audible to come here and I'm glad we did. This is a short drive from missoula. The parking lot is small, but there was lots of cars parked on the shoulder. At the trailhead there is a box with maps. I recommend getting one.

We hiked trail 515 to junction B and took trail 517 to junction I. We reversed course on 517.1 to Junction B again. We then crossed the creek and took 515.2 back to our car.

The trails were pretty well maintained and marked. There were some beautiful landscape and meadows with wild flowers. There were lots of hikers, bikes and runners and were able to share the smaller trails with everyone. There were lots of horses, but we didn't encounter any on the trail.

I highly recommend visiting this trail system.

A beautiful sunny warm day was forcasted for our Sunday morning hike. We were not disappointed with either the weather or the scenery. We saw beautiful wide flowers and numerous berries along the path. The river runs parallel to the path and you can either see the water or at least hear it along your walk. We didn't go more than a mile or so up the main path since we hadn't traveled to MT to hike (business trip) but we did bring tennis shoes so even though we felt out of place along side the "expert" hikers and bike riders, we thoroughly enjoyed our walk. The path is made of small gravel and very dusty. So if you have allergies to dust you might wait until it's rained some to dampen down all the dust. A lot of people have dogs on leases but seemed to pick up after their messes. You can easily walk down to the water and in a few places it's just off the path, so easy to get your feet cooled off after a long walk. So wish we had had our back packs, water and some food provisions so we could have made a day of it. After we reluctantly got back into our rental car we drove around the area of rattlesnake and were amazed at some of the very large and beautiful houses that graced this area. On the way back to Missoula you pass the Ten Spoon winery on the right. They're closed on Sunday so we hope to catch them open Monday, but sampling is only on Friday and Saturday evening. So much to do so little time.......

We had a wonderful 5-6 miles walk through the woods and field, lunching at an overlook over Missoula. The drive to the Sawmill Gulch Trailhead was very easy.

The national recreation area is a wonderful treasure up the Rattlesnake in Missoula which includes easy and more difficult hikes - many day hikes and upward trails to trek along, enjoy and take in nature's beauty. There is ample parking and simple restrooms at the start of the trails.Bring a camera and water to stay hydrated.

Decided to go exploring the area parks and wilderness one evening after working with some clients in Missoula. They pointed me to Rattlesnake when I asked for some advice. Great suggestion, the trails were shaded in places and cool despite it being over 80 degrees when I got there. Trails are popular with bikers, hikers, runners, dog walkers and horse back riders.

Only minutes out of Missoula, the recreational opportunities here are endless. Hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, etc. The landscape is stunning and the recreation area is HUGE.

Our first jaunt was a short mountain bike ride out and back on Rattlesnake Creek trail. It was a bit of a highway, but very pretty. In early June the creek was really moving.

The next day we road up Sawmill Gulch and stayed on 24.5 to 21.4 and then came down Spring Creek. That was one of the best descents I've been on – rivaling Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Lake Tahoe (but not as technical at the top). It made the long and often very steep ascent worthwhile.

The third day we drove up Woods Gulch to the Sheep Mountain trail head and hiked up to Blue Point and back. There were some nice views and it was a pleasant walk (but I would rather have been on a bike).

My son and I biked the six or seven miles required to fish Rattlesnake creek. The ride was easy for an old guy like me and I was able to keep up with a 23 year old. This was one of the most fun fishing days ever, and using a 2wt on Rattlesnake Creek is a real memory maker. No big fish, but we caught a bunch and had a wonderful day. The bike ride really is a treat and fairly easy.

We arrived at the Rattlesnake Trailhead parking lot at 11AM on a beautiful Spring Sunday Morning; the lot was filled, so we joined the others who were parking on the road shoulder. This trailhead can be reached from Interstate 90 in Missoula by taking the Van Buren Street exit and heading 4.1 miles north to Sawmill Gulch Road, turning left immediately crossing Rattlesnake Creek, and continuing ¼ mile to will mark main trail parking lot on the right; their is parking for about 40 vehicles. We chose an out and back of 10 miles on the Stuart Peak Trail; it was wide with a gentle grade the entire distance. We saw 2-3 dozen others on the trail, some biking, some running, and plenty of hikers. We even saw a group of a dozen Boy Scouts returning from an overnight backpacking trip. The trail parallels Spring Gulch river with occasional views of the water, plenty of interior wooded views, and plenty views of the steep canyon walls. It was quite scenic. A number of marked and unmarked side trails branched off. Given the number of vehicles in the parking lot, we were pleasantly surprised at how uncrowded the area seemed; we enjoyed long stretches without encountering others.

Hike almost any time of the year in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. It is free, and easy and head directly North right out of Missoula along Van Buren Street. Skiing is popular here as well and most parts are pet-friendly. Be sure to lock valuables in your vehicle before hiking.

i love being outdoors, and rattlesnake is a wonderful area for hiking, biking, backpacking, and taking the dog for a run. however, as with all other outdoor recreation places in missoula (other than the dog park by the university), pets must be kept on leashes. i understand this is a safety sort of thing, as well as to make sure you pick up after your pet (side note: really wish people would remember to dispose of the little green sacks...) but after hiking 5+ miles back into the forest, is it really necessary to keep the poor things tied up? :/

This has a little bit (or a lot) for everyone. There are miles and miles of trails. Some are shared with cyclists. With only time for a late afternoon hike, I did one that mostly went through valley. It was lovely, but there were a lot of cyclists - most gave warning and let us know how many were behind them. When there was more time, we did the Spring Gulch Trail to Curry Loop - maybe 9-10 miles. It's a bit steeper and not as many cyclists.

We only walked about a mile out but it was beautiful. I loved the river, trees and the smell of nature. It’s worth at least a visit.

Miles and miles of trails that meet even the hard core runners and bikers expectations. In just a few minutes you are away from all the cars you may experience at the trail head, keep an eye out for bears especially in the late spring and fall.

There are several trails into the Sawmill Gulch area that are great for biking and hiking! I must've done every one of them as well as hike Stuart Peak. If you're in the Missoula area and looking for a day long hike into some of Montana's most beautiful nature trails, this is one of them! At the top of the peak, you can get a great picture of the valley!

I love the trails, nature, it's like your not even in the city. A great escape! So long as you don't cross paths with any bear, your good. I always made sure I was out of there no later than 4:30, stayed safe!

This is a very excellent park to go hiking, very close to the city centre. There are trails ranging from easy to challenging and I walked on a trail alongside a road, and it wasn't bad at all on a very warm late July day. There was another trail that was closed off because of fire danger. Missoula is very blessed to have a very good mountain trail so close to town.

This area is fantastic and very close to town. Most trails allow dogs. Leashes are a must for small portion of the trail but there are bears in the area so it is recommended always. There are little side trails close to the main trail which is laid with gravel and is wide enough to accommodate large groups of hikers. Great place if looking for a close hike!

The trail is nicely graded and just minutes from downtown Missoula you are immersed in nature. You can go just about any time of year but I love the spring and fall best. In summer the trail can get a tad crowded but folks are pretty good to each other so there are no issues. You can also bike the trail or push an all terrain stroller if you are feeling adventurous.

Another recreation area close to town, the Rattlesnake is full of fun mountain biking trails. You can bike all the way up to the wilderness if you like. Great scenery, not crowded, and really feels like you're away from it all.

Just a few minutes by car from downtown Missoula is anetwork of trails through beautiful forrest land. During late summer, a mother and cubs had been spotted numerous times near the trail browsing on berries and apples or so the warning posters read. The main trail was smooth and wide enough for hikers and cyclists to easily share. It was a very enjoyable way to get some exercise in the fresh air.

We wandered around this park and really enjoyed the experience.
We were on the paved trail for a while then went off to a hiking trail.
Peace and quiet ~

This is a beautiful hike into the Rattlesnake wilderness. It has a gradual grade that is easy to hike for just about anyone. There are a lot of bikes on the trail which I don't like, but I think they love it, and sometimes there are horses on the trail, again, I don't like that, but they seem to be having fun...you can hike up in there and camp, (back packing) in the season, you can hunt up there too as long as you go far enough in...especially beautiful in the peak of fall colors!

So close to Missoula - its a nice morning or afternoon hike. I've see 2 bears in the 3 times I've gone. If you hike about 6 miles up, you can do a little creek fishing too.

We live within one mile of the recreational area, great for trail riding, leisure walks and dog walking. If you are new to Missoula this is your area.

Beautiful lots of deer all over the area. nice walking and bike trail,
deep green forest to drive arround

Beautiful scenery and a variety of easy trails just north of the city. And free. What else could you want?

It's a great and very safe place to hike around with your family and friends, also is a good place for do some mountain biking.

I loved how close this recreation area was to the city. It was easy to find and all trails were well marked. I hiked for about 2 hours at this rec area and enjoyed every minute!

We at flatlanders, so we really enjoyed an easy run on a mostly flat trail. Pretty, wide open, and very accessible.

Hiked along Woods Gulch trail. It was beautiful but the incessant rattling sound was unnerving. I had to keep telling myself that it wasn't rattlesnakes. Still not sure...

This place is worth every minute you spend there. It was a little busy on a Sunday, but everyone is so friendly. Lots of mountain bikes, but you will still enjoy your hike. The creeks are gorgeous and so is all the rest of the landscspe. Trails are maintained and easy to follow. Lots of critters, in and around the creeks and river. The water sounds relaxing as you walk along the trails. Everywhere you turn is a scenic view.

Living in Missoula.........definately one of the best places to Mountain Bike close to town. Also great for hiking and dogs. Obviously use sense on the trails and watch for others. A frequent spot for locals. Beautiful and super close to the downtown area. Stop at the winery on the way down the road back to town as well.

It was perfectly in time to go for a hike.

We went from the Gateway to the Rattlesnake.

There were lots of trees.

I liked the river. Very pretty.

There was a bridge over the river.

We kept hiking and all of a sudden we saw three deers. They were sitting and they didn't run away from us.

Fifteen minutes later, we heard thunder. We would be completely wet.

We walked fast, We were went and we laughed.

We will always remember this Rattlesnake National Recreation Area

Some friends and I enjoyed a 2 hour hike in this wonderful natural recreation area. The trails are well marked and maintained. There are many opportunities to hike down to the creek and enjoy the water - some areas are more sandy than others. The best way to see a chunk of it is to bike it. It's a mostly level trail and is well used. Go early if it's hot outside. Parking is available at the trail head, but you can park on the side of the road if the parking area is full. The further out you get, the less likely you are to see that many people.

I was surpised there was so much natural beauty, wildlife and forest so close to town. We really enjoyed the hiking we were warned of bears, but luckily our bear bells kept us from running across them. The trails were well marked and easy to follow. Missoula, MT is much more that I thought it was, I would definately return there for vacation in the future and give myself a lot more time to hike in Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. One day was definately not enough, but we had already put in alot of time at Glacier National Park and some other areas. We didn't have more time for Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. If I had it to do over again, I would have made Missoula, MT and Glacier National Park completely seperate vacations. We tried to do too much during one trip.

If you drive just a few miles out of Missoula you will reach the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area. I hiked sawmill gulch one day and enjoyed it very much. The next day I hiked up woods gulch. Parking was a bit tricky on day 2 because there is no real parking area. Just park along the road near the trailhead.

It's Montana wilderness. Translation: It's not Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park or Glacier so it's not Ansel Adams post-card spectacular. But it is: lack of people traffic and an embarrassment of many miles of nothing but grand nature as far as you can see and walk in a number of days. Or go to the Lincoln Scapegoat. Or Bob Marshall. Or Bitterroot Selway. Just know you need to hike in and out - no tourist services. That's what makes it special.

I drove down to Blodgett from Missoula on a misty, overcast day. Even then the view of the mountains was terrific. I will say I had some trouble finding the trailhead once I parked, but a ranger got me on my way. I hiked maybe 2 1/2 miles in and then came back. Over the course of the hike I went through dense trees, over a few rocky escarpments, and meandered by the creek. The trail was in great shape and seemed well-maintained. For the length of the trail I was on, it wasn't too vigorous - there were a few inclines and declines that had me stopping to catch my breath, but overall it was a fairly moderate trail. The main thing is to watch your footing. Bring at least one bottle of water, and I brought bear spray just in case. But mostly make sure to pick your eyes up from the trail once in awhile and catch the views!

Even though Missoulians use the trails here a lot, the Rattlesnake feels like a hidden gem. Great biking, great overnight options for those looking a little off the beaten path. Also perfect for a midday stroll along the creek. Simply beautiful!!

My friend and I wanted to get a hike in before hitting the road. Rattlesnake Recreation Area is close in to Missoula and fit that goal perfectly. It had the added interest of Ospreys using Rattlesnake Creek to fish, although we didn't end up seeing any.

One thing to watch out for was trail signage. There is some, but the train map at the Main Trail trailhead is faded and the trail locales are very hard to see. We needed to ask people along the way if there was some way we could get to walk closer to the creek (answer: yes) and got some input, which while not all the same, allowed us to get a mental map. You need to take a side trail 515.2 (I think, something like that). You get to the Creek in several beautiful places, but it is a rugged creek and you can't just walk all along it.

We had a wonderful, relaxing time and got a lot of the travel kinks out. I am 74 and my travel mate is 80. We had walking sticks for the descent towards the river, but those would not be needed for what we experienced of the main trail.

We arrived in Missoula mid-afternoon and, after traveling all day, we wanted some exercise as a family that was close and convenient. This hike was moderately challenging, very close and the weather was perfect. We highly recommend this as a nice option for a close hike. Its a great asset for Missoula.

Very lovely place in the fall. Views of the Tamaracks on the mountains. Beautiful Rattlesnake Creek coursing through the area is so picturesque.

All season recreation and wilderness area. Bike the lower half and ski or hike through both sections. Lost of wildlife and views. Trails for day-hikes or overnight/ several days.

Great place to walk, watch birds, and, on a hot summer day, it's the perfect place to submerge in the clear cool water letting it massage out the tight spots.

This is a path that you can bike or walk and bring the dog! we brought my brother's dog and it is a great walk along the river. very flat and easy to walk as far as you want to go. would recommend and love to go anytime i am in Missoula.

Even if you only have a short amount of time to get out for a hike, this is a great place to go. Lots to keep your eyes wandering and breathing the fresh air. Great spot to take kids to explore near Rattlesnake creek.

Fun mountain bike rides, hikes with friends, run etc.

The Rattlesnake provides easy hiking trails that wind through the woods just outside of Missoula. This is a good place for an easy hike, but also provides opportunities for more difficult hikes. Great variety and very beautiful!

Great place to hike, even in the snow! Parking was easy. Trails were packed, so hiking was great. What a beautiful area!!

Good, well established trails through tall pines and along a creek. Lots of shade, so it's cool in the summer. Outhouses periodically along the trail. Plenty of parking at the trail head. Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed. Nice trail for some exercise, fresh air, or to just spend some time together with someone.

Hiked the Rattlesnake Trail, which was well maintained and very pretty! Lots of pretty wildflowers and a clear flowing river running beside the trail.

Very quiet place to walk and think, and likely view wildlife in the process. Only a few miles off I-90, but like a world away.

The Rattlesnake is a large natural area loaded with an excellent variety of trails for either foot or pedal. Scenery is good, but not particularly impressive by Montana standards. This is a great day trip activity from Missoula.

It's hard to believe that 6 miles off the Interstate, one can park and hike and be in wilderness. Trails are accessible for a wide variety of abilities (including disabled) and meander along the creek, up steep climbs, or whatever one's interests might be. Just be sure to respect other users and nature!

What a great place for a good day hike. Being a good outdoor educator I was prepared yet surprised when it started to rain. Ok stop and put on another layer... but then it started to snow. Ok stop and add some more layers.. Walking on and look out and could see nothing. Then the white out hit ... all layers on now and sitting down out of the wind waiting for spring to come back.... It did.. warm sun al they layers come off just in time to get a little more vitamin D3 from the sun... Go prepared and enjoy

One of the few places in the US where you can ride a city bus to a wilderness area! No matter how many cars in the parking lot, everyone disappears a half-mile in. A must for a hike or a ski in any season!

This is a beautiful area for mountain biking and hiking, with fabulous mountain views and great trails. It is only minutes from downtown Missoula and the University. There are plenty of bike shops in the area that rent.

I spent an excellent afternoon biking on these trails. They were fun, well marked and the scenery was beautiful. Not far from town and there was a bit of overcrowding at the parking lot at the trail head.

After a hike on an upper trail, which was o.k. but didn't have much interesting scenery, we got to the rattlesnake river (left at the fork as you're heading into the area). It had restrooms and trails and a beautiful river!!! Because of low water run off, the river was pretty shallow and easily walkable. We went back and took lawn chairs and laid half in the water. Oh my gosh it aved our lives on the 102 degree day! There were deer around, colorful scenes, trees and rocks; we enjoyed it immensely!!!!

We did some hiking here. It is only 5 miles from Missoula but feels like it is way out in the country. Great scenery but watch out for mountain bikes screaming down the hills on some of the trails. Some of the trails looked like they could have been in Glacier

Back trails were still snow covered hence it was very quiet and serene.

Came here on the hopes of seeing some wildlife, which I sadly didn't, but boy is this park beautiful. The scenery is truly awe-inspiring and the smell of clean air is something one shouldn't take for granted. A must see for dog-lovers, too.

My husband and our daughters (ages 18 & 16) were hiking the Stuart Peak trail. We were coming down at about 8pm, parallel to Spring Creek, and ran straight into a black bear crossing the trail. She had been at the water, and we were within 10-12 feet of her. We froze. She hesitated, and took a good long look at us. Then she looked up the mountain and back at us before deciding we weren't a threat. She continued up the mountain. We turned around and went about 30 yards back up the trail to compose ourselves before continuing back down toward the main trail head. A few minutes later, we continued down the trail again, and ran straight into one of her cubs in the exact same spot. Then we could hear what we thought was a second cub below, coming back up from the creek. They aren't as quiet when they're walking as you'd think.... We heard branches breaking and heavy footsteps. At that point, we hightailed it out of there. Maybe dusk isn't a good hiking time. Thank goodness those weren't this years cubs, or Mama Bear would've been hostile. They were last years cubs, which was obvious by their larger size, so Mama wasn't threatened by us and didn't react to our presence.

These trails are beautiful, and the further back & higher up in elevation you go, the more breathtaking it is. Just be aware that there are bears in this area, even though the trails are pretty heavily traveled. Yes, I know it's obvious..... We live in Montana...there are bears here. I just hadn't expected to run into two less than a mile from the trailhead. My advice is to go enjoy these beautiful trails, and carry bear spray.

Nice trails with nice picnic areas. It is one of the prettiest family friendly trails in Missoula. Depending on the time of year you can but your feet in and relax in certain areas. My dog loves playing here. The creek can run very fast , so playing in the water depends on the time of year and the spot you pick.

Easy access for a quick hike.. how can you go wrong in Montana!