TRAIL FAQs AND CONTACT INFO
SPECIFICATIONS
- Q: Where does the trail begin and end?
- A: The Southern terminus of the trail is located 2.5 miles south of Hamilton, Montana near Angler’s Roost Campground. The Northern terminus of the trail is located at the intersection of the Milwaukee Road Trail in the Old Sawmill District of Missoula, Montana.
- Q: How long is the trail?
- A: 44 miles total. The trail cuts southwest across Missoula before reaching US-12/US-93, or the intersection of Brooks and Reserve Streets. The remainder of the trail parallels Highway 93 through the towns of Lolo, Florence, Stevensville, Victor, and Hamilton.
- Q: How wide is the trail?
- A: 10 feet wide.
- Q: What is the surface material of the trail?
- A: Highway-grade pavement.
- Q: How steep is the trail?
- A: The trail is mainly flat with a few low-grade hills. Overall, the trail loses elevation from Hamilton to Missoula. A rider who rode the entire trail from Hamilton to Missoula would have descended about 400 vertical feet.
Elevation profile of the trail, Hamilton - Missoula
- Q: What use is permitted on the trail?
- A: The trail is open to non-motorized use such as cyclists and walkers with the exception of motorized wheelchairs or other accessibility motorized vehicles.
TRAILSIDE AMENITIES
- Q: Are there public bathrooms and potable water sources along the trail?
- A: There are a few places at this time that provide bathrooms or water to the public that are located close to the trail. In time, more facilities will be added as funding is attained for additional trailside infrastructure and area businesses cater to user needs. Here’s a list of sites currently open to the public with bathrooms and water:
- Missoula:
- Currents Aquatic Center, near the Northern terminus at McCormick Park
- Southgate Mall, about 2 miles south of the Northern terminus
- Lolo:
- Travelers’ Rest State Park, .5 miles west of the trail, off of HWY 12
- Hamilton:
- Ravalli County Fairgrounds Bike-Pedestrian Rest Area, east of the trail near the intersection of Fairgrounds and Old Corvallis Roads
- Q: Is there camping available along the trail?
- A: At this time there is limited trailside camping, though plans are being made to provide bicycle camping at multiple locations along the trail. Camping is available at the Stevensville Hotel, Ravalli Fairgrounds and Bass Creek. The Bitterroot National Forest has several campgrounds located within five or fewer miles from the trail.
- Q: Who manages and maintains the trail?
- A: The trail is managed and maintained by several different government agencies and volunteer groups depending on the particular trail segment location. The Contact Information section below has more information on who to contact with concerns or questions.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The 44-mile-long Bitterroot Trail crosses through multiple cities and counties and as such, is managed by multiple agencies. The following is a list of management contacts in relation to each segment of the trail.
Always call 911 if you are using the trail and feel unsafe, or to report illegal activity
TRAIL MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE
Missoula City Limits: from the intersection with the Milwaukee Road Trail (Old Sawmill District) to the intersection of Old US-93 and US-12/US-93 just east of Buckhouse Bridge…
Please do not litter on trail
Contact
City of Missoula Parks and Recreation
600 Cregg Ln, Missoula, MT 59801
406-721-7275
parksrec@ci.missoula.mt.us
Missoula County: from the intersection of Old US-93 and US-12/US-93 to the Missoula-Ravalli County Line in Florence located at County Line/Chief Looking Glass Road…
Contact
Missoula County Parks, Trails, and Open Lands Program
200 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802
406-258-4657
CountyParks@missoulacounty.us
TRAIL STEWARDSHIP
The longevity of the Bitterroot Trail is supported through a volunteer non-profit group, The Bitterroot Trail Preservation Alliance. If you would like to get involved in financial or hands-on stewardship of the trail as a resource, please contact: bitterroot.trail.alliance@gmail.com
