Missoula Travel Guide

200 miles E of Spokane, Washington; 213 miles NE of Lewiston, Idaho; 339 miles W of Billings; 115 miles NW of Helena; 115 miles S of Kalispell

Missoula has been growing by leaps and bounds for a decade, and the reason is clear: The city is in a beautiful valley along the Clark Fork River, with a relatively mild climate more influenced by the Pacific Northwest than by the high Rockies. One could say the same about the local culture.

Since this is the home of the University of Montana, the crowds in Missoula's vibrant downtown are more often young and Birkenstocked than grizzled and cowboy-booted. Also in the mix are many prominent Western writers who live in or near the city; the result is an intellectual and cultural outpost.

Activity in the great outdoors -- be it fly-fishing on Rock Creek, skiing at Snowbowl, hiking in the Selway-Bitterroot, or cross-country skiing on Lolo Pass -- is probably what most attracts these types to the area. The outdoors figures heavily in Missoula-area politics as well. There is a strong proenvironment sentiment among the populace.