Trail · Recreation area

Rattlesnake Main Trail #515

Close to Missoula, this trail is popular for day hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking. The trail was an old logging road so it is wide, has a relatively gentle grade for the first 9 miles, and roughly parallels Rattlesnake Creek.

Listed under Hiking trails · Bike trails · Walking & running paths · Horseback riding trails · Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing · Recreation areas

Open official page

A river flows through a forest scene with mossy rocks and a small amount of snow on the bank. — Photo from fs.usda.gov

About this place

From the main trail, there are many side trails available. The main trail winds through open ground, dry forested areas, and progresses into western larch and Engelmann spruce farther up the drainage. Beaver dams can often be seen in Rattlesnake Creek about 5 miles up from trailhead. This trail connects to many other trails such as the "Wallman Trail" and could be made into loops.

Practical information

Town: Missoula
Arrival: From Interstate 90 in Missoula, take the Van Buren Street exit #105 and head north. Van Buren Street will turn into Rattlesnake Drive. Stay on Rattlesnake Drive for approximately 3 miles until you reach the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area entrance. Travel another 0.25 mile and turn left on Sawmill Gulch Road. The trailhead will be on the right after about 0.25 mile.
Parking: Garbage receptacles and parking are available at the Rattlesnake main trailhead.
Route surface: Standard/Terra Trail - a trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground
Difficulty: Relatively gentle grade for the first 9 miles
Hours: The Rattlesnake South Zone is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Use rules: Please visit the Forest's Alerts page for information on restrictions, in particular please review the Food/Wildlife Attractant Storage Order to help reduce the likelihood of human-to-bear conflicts.
Managed by: Federal agency
Phone: 406-329-3814