Planning a Trip

Getting There

Allegiant (tel. 702/505-8888), Alaska/Horizon (tel. 800/547-9308), Delta (tel. 800/221-1212), Big Sky (tel. 800/237-7788), United (tel. 800/864-8331), and Northwest (tel. 800/225-2525) all have flights into the Missoula International Airport (tel. 406/728-4381; www.flymissoula.com), northwest of downtown off U.S. 93.

I-90 leads into Missoula from the west (Washington State and Idaho) and the east (Billings and Bozeman). From Salt Lake City, I-15 leads up through Idaho and intersects with I-90 at Butte. For information on road conditions in Missoula, call tel. 406/728-8553 or 511 for road conditions statewide. Avalanche information can be obtained by calling the West Central Montana Avalanche Center (tel. 800/281-1030 or 406/549-4488).

The bus terminal, 1660 W. Broadway (tel. 406/549-2339), is served by Greyhound (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com) for national travel and Rimrock Stages (tel. 800/255-7655; www.rimrocktrailways.com), which serves intrastate Montana travelers from Missoula to Whitefish.

Visitor Information

The Missoula Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1121 E. Broadway, Suite 103, Missoula, MT 59802 (tel. 800/526-3465 or 406/532-3250; www.missoulacvb.org), has brochures, city maps, and area maps for outdoor activities, shopping, dining, and tours for most of northwestern Montana.

Getting Around

Several rental-car agencies, including Avis (tel. 800/831-2847 or 406/549-4711), Budget (tel. 800/527-0700 or 406/543-7001), Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131 or 406/549-9511), and National (tel. 800/227-7368 or 406/543-3131), maintain counters at the airport; or try Rent-a-Wreck, 1905 W. Broadway (tel. 800/944-7501 or 406/721-3838). Airport Shuttle (tel. 406/543-9416) operates a transit service to and from the airport.

Missoula's city bus line is Mountain Line Transit (tel. 406/721-3333; www.mountainline.com). It doesn't run late at night or on Sundays.

Taxi service is available 24 hours a day through Yellow Cab (tel. 406/543-6644).

Orientation

Missoula's layout is a tad confusing, so make sure you have a good city map. Remember that downtown is bisected by the Clark Fork River, and become acquainted with the locations of the three bridges, which provide access to the university and points south. Trails alongside the river are suitable for strolling, though you'll share them with runners and bikers.

Special Events

The International Wildlife Film Festival, founded by internationally known bear biologist Dr. Charles Jonkel in 1977, recognizes scientific accuracy, artistic appeal, and technical excellence through a juried competition. Highlights of the 1-week festival, held annually in early to mid-May, include four daily screenings, workshops and panel discussions, a wildlife photo contest, and various wildlife art displays. Contact the festival (tel. 406/728-9380; www.wildlifefilms.org) for details. Out to Lunch at Caras Park (tel. 406/543-4238; www.missouladowntown.com) is a popular summer series featuring live entertainment and numerous food vendors from 11am to 1:30pm every Wednesday June through August.