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Woods Gulch trailhead
4.6 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · Running trail in Missoula, Montana · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Woods Gulch trailhead's 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 Woods Gulch trailhead
“A popular trailhead with a well marked, well used trail climbing through a shady gulch.”
A popular trailhead with a well marked, well used trail climbing through a shady gulch. It's about a mile and a half, and 800 feet, up to a timbered saddle with views; from there the trail just keeps climbing a ridge to the left, you can keep going a long way, all uphill. The parking is pretty informal.
Great place for hiking or biking. Fairly hilly, but the terrain isn’t terribly difficult. Also goes right next to a pretty creek, which may occasionally become visible through the trees. Not too many people on it, so great if you want to get away for a while.
Nice trailhead, plenty of shade. A calming creek runs through it and it’s pretty quiet. Parking is a bit tight but doable. Incline trial most of the way up!
Very nice hike. It was fairly snowy when we went, and the trail was VERY icy in some spots. Be sure to bring your cleats if you are going in the winter.
Trail conditions & character
“A popular trailhead with a well marked, well used trail climbing through a shady gulch.”
“Fairly hilly, but the terrain isn’t terribly difficult.”
“A popular trailhead with a well marked, well used trail climbing through a shady gulch.”
Plan your run at Woods Gulch trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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.
