Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain Nature Trail

Miles: .25

Elevation Gain: 50ft. (3650ft.-3700ft.)

To reach the Blue Mountain Nature Trail, drive south on Brooks Street/Highway 93 from Missoula. Take a right onto Blue Mountain Road shortly after traveling over the Bitterroot River. You’ll drive past several parking turn outs with trail heads. Then take Forest Road #365 to the left after a little more than a mile. Once on #365, drive about 2 miles and you’ll find the Blue Mountain Nature Trail.

This trail is only about a quarter of a mile but a great stop off if traveling to any other destination point on Blue Mountain. The trail is gradual without much elevation gain so it’s perfect for a quick hike or great beginners. On this trail you will find informational plaques describing different trees and plants and on some of the mountains you can see from the view points. You can usually find brochures at the trailhead. This trail is also wheelchair accessible.

Maclay Flats Interpretive Trail

Miles: The two loops are 1.25 miles or 1.8 miles.

Elevation: Flat

This is a great spot to come spend a few leisurely hours. The trails are wheelchair accessible and offer wide trails perfect for a family afternoon. There are also outhouses and picnic tables making it an easy picnic spot. The wildlife is quite impressive here and can be a birdwatcher's playground. Keep an eye on the 16 interpretive signs along this trail as there is plenty of information about this area of Blue Mountain.

Blue Mountain Recreation Trail (To the Blue Mountain Lookout Tower)

Miles: 7+/-

Elevation Gain: 3260ft. (3200ft. – 6460ft.)

To reach the Blue Mountain Recreation Trail drive south on Brooks Street/Highway 93 from Missoula. Take a right onto Blue Mountain Road shortly after traveling over the Bitterroot River. About a mile down the road you’ll find the parking lot. You may also take any of the trailheads along Forest Road #365, however take a map so that you follow the appropriate trails to reach the appropriate destinations. The trail can be rough as you travel through some of areas where logging has taken place.

This trail can be quite gratifying, especially if you reach the Blue Mountain Lookout Tower. The grand views of the Missoula valley, Bitterroot River and the Sapphire Mountains are breathtaking. Keep an eye out for all those wild creatures, including deer and the occasional black bear. Bring a map and have plenty of water, as it can be very easy to loose track of time on Blue Mountain.

Forest Roads #365 and #2137(To the Blue Mountain Lookout Tower)

Miles: 11+/-

Elevation Gain: 3260ft. (3200ft. – 6460ft.)

To reach the Blue Mountain Recreation Trail drive south on Brooks Street/Highway 93 from Missoula. Take a right onto Blue Mountain Road shortly after traveling over the Bitterroot River. About 1.3 miles down Blue Mountain road you will find Forest Road #365. You will travel this road for a bout 9.5 miles, where you turn off left onto Forest Road #2137. Here you can travel the rest of the way to the lookout tower.

You can drive the entire distance only a couple of months during the year in fire season. Otherwise, the gate is closed ¼ of a mile below the lookout tower, however you can hike the rest of the way in. Throughout the winter, the gates close along the road from the top to the bottom as the road becomes harder to travel with the snow pack. Winter is a great time to snowshoe or cross-country ski the rest of the way to the lookout tower.

Forest Road #365 can be a great afternoon drive. The views of the Missoula Valley, the Bitterroot River, and the Bitterroot mountains are amazing, especially from the lookout tower. Lolo and Mormon Peaks are very impressive sights from this destination. Even the Mission Mountains can be seen from Blue Mountain Lookout Tower. There are abundant opportunities to catch glimpses of wildlife from this drive. I highly recommend this great outdoor adventure.

Motor Vehicle Trails

Miles: 12+/-

Elevation Gain: 2460ft. (4000ft.-6460ft.)

To reach the Blue Mountain Recreation Trail drive south on Brooks Street/Highway 93 from Missoula. Take a right onto Blue Mountain Road shortly after traveling over the Bitterroot River. About 1.3 miles down Blue Mountain road you will find Forest Road #365. The parking lot for the motor vehicle trailhead is three miles up #365.

There are four miles of trail systems for ATV use here. Motorcycles are able to use these trails plus another eight miles of trails. Make sure to bring a map when using these trails as it is easy to take a wrong turn. The map will also help guide your way to the Blue Mountain Lookout Tower if this is a desired destination.

Be sure to know the rules and regulations when accessing these trails and using motor vehicles. Be safe and have fun, some of the views from these trails can be quite impressive.