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Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness
4.6 ★★★★★ 29 Google reviews · Running trail in Missoula, Montana · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 6 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness
“we are blessed to be on the door of a gorgeous wilderness.”
“Some nice easy hikes if you have children.”
Beautiful area to hike! Be warned, a lot of the trail is uphill - if you take the left fork it's a graduated slope and the right fork is steeper. Also, my sister ran in to bears here (the furthest left trail) so make sure you have bear spray!
Awesome single track. Check out maps and link this to other nearby drainages for incredible loops. Bike to wilderness boundary, stash bike and hike to get away from crowds.
Very nice multi use trail area. Beginner through advanced mountain biking. Easy hikes or hard hikes, you pick.
the creek that flow along the trail make it an unique trail in the area
Trail conditions & character
“we are blessed to be on the door of a gorgeous wilderness.”
“Only difference is a much bigger parking lot now and a lot of users.”
Plan your run at Rattlesnake National Recreation Area & Wilderness
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance6 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitefs.usda.gov
- Phone(406) 329-3814
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Missoula
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
