Welcome to the Missoula, Montana Discovery Map.

Grab that mouse! It’s time to take on online tour of one of the West’s truly special places — Missoula, Montana. The recreational and cultural hub of the region, Missoula has been dubbed a Great American Place by American Heritage Magazine and a Best Community in the West by Sunset Magazine.

Located on the banks of the Clark Fork River and an easy day’s drive from both Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park, Missoula is the perfect base from which to explore Western Montana. Montana Snowbowl Ski Resort, located within 20 minutes of downtown, offers steep deep powder all winter and miles of bike trails all summer. Hook up with one of Missoula’s seasoned fly-fishing guides for a day on one of our blue-ribbon trout streams — Rock Creek, the Bitterroot and the Big Blackfoot. Or leave the fishing rod at home and enjoy the ride on one of the many stretches of nearby whitewater. Terrific bike paths crisscross the city and will lead you through peaceful parks or into the wilds of the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Pattee Canyon and Blue Mountain.

Missoula’s cultural and historic resources will amaze you, too. Traveler’s Rest State Park, located just south of the city in Lolo, is where Lewis and Clark camped before their daunting trek across the Bitterroot Mountains on their way to the Pacific Ocean. Traveler’s Rest and many other Missoula museums will introduce you to the region’s natural and military history and tell you the stories of Native Americans, loggers and wildland firefighters. Missoula is also home to many dance companies, theatre groups and a recognized symphony orchestra.

Our Missoula map is also your guide to the University of Montana. UM’s campus has been called the most scenic in America by Rolling Stone Magazine. And there’s brains to match the beauty, too — UM ranks fifth in the nation among public institutions for producing Rhodes Scholars. The Grizzly football team is a two time Division I-AA National Champion and competes in one the most stunning sites in the country, Washington Grizzly Stadium. And don’t be surprised if one of the students tells you to “take a hike” — Outside Magazine rates UM as one of the top 10 colleges nationwide for combining academic quality and outdoor recreation.

Missoula’s hospitality and shopping are another reason to make the Garden City an extended stop on your travels. Missoula is home to a myriad of unique local shops and department stores, terrific restaurants, coffee houses, bookstores and art galleries. Downtown accommodations are just a short walk along the river. And so are the beautiful hand-carved ponies of Caras Park’s riverfront carousel. Visitors also come from miles around to visit Southgate Mall and the national retailers on the Reserve Street shopping corridor.

Small town friendliness, natural splendor and urban comforts. You’ll find it all in Missoula.

http://www.discoverymap.com/MTMissoulaMap.htm