Missoula Parks and Recreation

09/14/2026

Mark your calendars—The Missoula Open Space Adventure Tour starts Sat., Sept. 19 and runs through Sept. 27. Visit the selected open space properties and follow the directions on the sign to check in. More info at www.ci.missoula.mt.us/3562/Park-Events.

Participate in the self-guided 2026 Missoula Open Space Adventure Tour! Visit selected open space properties, check-in and answer a trivia question and/or take some fun selfies or group photos on the tour to win prizes. The properties showcase some of the voter-approved open space bond projects that have been protected over the years with your support!

The week culminates with a community celebration on National Public Lands Day at the Grand Re-opening of the Rock Creek Confluence property on Saturday, September 26 from 3-6PM, where you can experience trails, nature, rivers, speakers, food and beverages. This adventure tour is hosted by Missoula County, City of Missoula and Five Valleys Land Trust. We can’t wait to see you out on the land!

Visit the link in our bio to participate (or at https://arcg.is/K41Ce0)

09/14/2026

Grab your paddle — kayak sessions are back!

Join us at Currents Aquatics Center Monday & Wednesday evenings this fall for open kayak time on the water.

📅 Sept. 21–Nov. 18
⏰ 7:30–9 PM

09/13/2026

💥Power in Partnership! Two years ago, we blew up a dam in the Rattlesnake Wilderness! Watch the full video here: https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/CivicMedia?VID=58. (link also in bio)

🏔️The McKinley Lake dam in the Rattlesnake Wilderness and National Recreation Area was removed in summer 2024 as part of a pilot project to address long‑standing erosion and maintenance issues identified in the 2018 Rattlesnake Dams Feasibility Study.

The City of Missoula, in partnership with Trout Unlimited, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Montana Conservation Corps, undertook the decommissioning after years of planning and public outreach. The dam, built between 1911–1923, was one of 10 city‑owned dams acquired in 2017 when Missoula Water purchased the former Mountain Water Company.

Because the site is in a Wilderness area, equipment and materials had to be transported via a mule train due to restrictions on vehicles and construction methods. The U.S. Forest Service required strict guidelines to minimize environmental impact, including careful planning for access, tool use, and site appearance after work.

City staff will continue to work with our project partners to determine future dam removal or rehabilitation work. Future projects are also dependent on funding availability.

09/12/2026

We are totally stoked to celebrate 20 years of shredding at MOBASH Skate Park! 🛹During the Parks Palooza Block Party on Oct. 10, we'll have demonstrations and so much more! 🤓Check out the deets at www.ci.missoula.mt.us/3562/Park-Events!

09/11/2026

Parks Palooza Block Party is Saturday, October 10, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at McCormick Park! With hay rides, cider pressing, buy one get one swimming at Currents, Zootown Derailleurs Bike Parade, MOBASH Skatepark Events, Games, Food Trucks, and more!

Full details and schedule of events at www.MissoulaParks.org.

09/11/2026

Registration for September swim lessons open this Sunday, September 13 at 9AM!

Haven’t taken swim lessons recently or need a swim evaluation? 🏊‍♀️ Join us for a swim evaluation at 8:15 AM 09/13—right before registration opens, so you can complete your evaluation and register without waiting! 🙌 Register online with the link below!

Kick off the school year with a little extra savings. No promo code needed—your $5 back to school discount will automatically appear in your cart at checkout. 🛒✨

Check out lessons in our Fall Recreation guide! Visit https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/157/Parks-Recreation for more details!

09/10/2026

Thank you 💚! The City of Missoula's Conservation Lands Program has partnered up with the newly formed student chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society at the University of Montana to help steward the Clark Fork Native Prairie in the heart of Missoula!

🌻The Clark Fork Native Prairie is a special 2.5-acre site just east of the Beartracks Bridge along the Clark Fork River. It hosts over 100 different native plants and unfortunately some invasive grasses as well like Bulbous Bluegrass and Cheatgrass. MNPS students are helping remove these invasive grasses, so they don't out compete the native plants. This is a win-win where they get to practice what they are learning about ecological restoration and the Prairie gets the extra love it needs!

09/09/2026

The school year is here, and we’re celebrating with a back to school swim lesson special! 🎉 Get $5 off all September lessons and kick off the school year with a little extra savings.

Registration opens September 13! No promo code needed—your $5 discount will automatically appear in your cart at checkout. 🛒✨

Check out lessons in our Fall Recreation guide!

09/07/2026

26 years of Fall Family Fest?🎃 Yes! And we're making it a part of the Parks Palooza Block Party celebration. Meet us at McCormick Park for hay rides, cider pressing, games, food trucks & much more! 🍎Details at www.ci.missoula.mt.us/3562/Park-Events!