Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
4,580.00 ft (1,395.98 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
20.00 mi (32.19 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The crown jewel of day hiking in Missoula, Stuart Peak towers behind Missoula begging to be explored. It lies deep within the Rattlesnake Mountains, offering excellent views of the Mission, Swan, Bitteroot, Saphire, and Garnett ranges. From the summit you can view pristine lakes as well as all of Missoula. Bikers can ride up to the Rattlesnake Wilderness boundary, but after that you have to leave the bike and hike the rest of the way.

In the summer, wildflowers and huckleberries dot the trail. In the fall, the mountain is covered in reds and golds as the shrubs and larch prepare for the winter ahead. Keep your eyes open for wildlife because this area is prone to black bears, elk, deer, turkeys, and the occasional moose. The trail itself is only steep in a couple sections, and the rest climbs gradually to the summit.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Views. Close to town. Wildlife.

Cons

Long. Lots of vertical.

Trailhead Elevation

3,400.00 ft (1,036.32 m)

Highest point

7,980.00 ft (2,432.30 m)

Features

Vault toilet
Near lake or river
Backcountry camping
Wildlife
Big vistas

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Biking
Horseback

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Missoula + Bitterroot Mountains, Montana
Missoula + Bitterroot Mountains, Montana

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Flathead lake + Mission Range, Montana
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