Two Day Itinerary for Missoula, Montana
The beautiful town of Missoula is a must-see stop on your Montana trip! We were attending our friends’ wedding in the area in August 2025, so we spent the last few days of our trip here. This area is amazing for outdoor lovers. It’s surrounded by mountains, rivers, and forests, making it the perfect spot for hiking, biking, rafting, and fishing. Below is a two-day itinerary featuring our favorite activities from the trip.
Day One
Rafting / River Float
Missoula is a popular area to go rafting or kayaking. You can choose an adventure-filled whitewater trip a little south of Missoula, or a leisurely river float through town. The Alberton Gorge is known for its long scenic runs with numerous Class II and III rapids, which are perfect for whitewater rafting. There are also milder whitewater trips along the Blackfoot River, which would be better for families or those wanting a gentler experience.
We did a scenic float trip down the Clark Fork River. We had a large group, many of whom are experienced rafters, so the company had us meet at Silver Park in town, transported us up a little way on a bus, and then met us at the takeout spot several hours later. Our float started at 11am. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous along the way. We stopped the floats a few times to be able to get out, swim, have drinks, and hang out. We also stopped at a bridge for those wanting to jump off it! The river was very tame along this section, with only a couple very mild (maybe Class I?) rapids.
I highly recommend doing some sort of river trip while you’re here! There are several companies that operate out of Missoula, so you can take your pick.
Dinner at Michi Ramen Bar
Once we were done rafting, we were all starving. We headed to Missoula’s downtown area for dinner. Our group of four all got ramen and it was really good!
Sweet Peaks for ice cream
After dinner, we stopped at Sweet Peaks for ice cream. Mike and I both loved the cupcake flavor.
From there, we headed back to our Airbnb, which was about 30 minutes east of town. There are lots of lodging options in Missoula though, if you prefer to stay in town.
Day Two
Horseback riding
The next morning, we went for a horseback ride with Hood’s Western Adventures. Their ranch is about 30 minutes west of Missoula, and we met the owners at 9am. We loved this family-owned company that specializes in horseback riding experiences.
We’d chosen the two-hour horseback ride. While we were at the ranch, they paired us with the horses we would be riding and then loaded them up in the trailer. We drove about 10 minutes away to the trailhead.
The trail was really beautiful! It was just the four of us and one other guy plus the owner of the company and his daughter. I loved going in a smaller group! I highly recommend a trail ride with this company.
FSK for brunch
Next, I recommend having brunch at FSK. It’s located across the street from the airport, and on the way back from the ranch as you’re coming into Missoula. This may have been our favorite meal of the trip! We got the B&G (biscuits and gravy) and the bulgogi toast. Both were incredible.
Wander around downtown
After brunch, I recommend walking around the downtown area. There are a lot of cute shops you can pop into.
Missoula really exceeded my expectations! I think it is worth spending a day or two here, especially if you are flying into its airport for a Montana road trip.
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Mike and Lynn Faber
Hi Melissa. Another nice post, and a town we are familiar with. We lived ‘over the hill’ from Missoula, in Orofino, Idaho. The road is HWY 12, aka the Lewis and Clark Highway. Along the way is Lolo Hot Springs, featured in A River Runs Through It. When you rafted on the Clark Fork you were in the path of perhaps the most cataclysmic floods in history. https://hugefloods.com/LakeMissoula.html
Mike and Lynn