New here? Start with these.

Just moved to Missoula, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.

Road Run✓ Verified 2026-06-25

Monday Run Club

Run Wild Missoula

Mondays, 7:00am (May–Oct) · 3 or 5 mi

📍 Clyde Coffee

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer
Road Run✓ Verified 2026-06-25

Tuesday Track

Run Wild Missoula

Tuesdays, 6:00pm (5:30pm in winter) · coached

📍 Dornblaser Track, University of Montana

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree
Road Run✓ Verified 2026-06-25

Wednesday Wild Miles

Run Wild Missoula

Wednesdays, 6:00pm · 4–6 mi, varying start

📍 Varying start points

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree
Trail Run⚠ Needs verification

Trail Run Community

Montana Trail Crew

Group trail runs + trail-work community

📍 Missoula-area trails

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropDog-friendlyFreeSummer
MTB✓ Verified 2026-06-25

Thursday Night Ride

Missoula Thursday Night Ride

Thursdays, 6:00pm — new riders welcome

📍 Varies (around Missoula)

Beginner-friendlyFreeSummer
MTB⚠ Needs verification

Women’s MTB Rides

Dirt Girls

Women’s rides, Tuesday evenings (beginner–intermediate)

📍 Rotating trailheads

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer

Paced for the slowest rider, with regrouping.

MTB⚠ Needs verification

Community Group Rides

Missoula Mountain Bike Coalition

Seasonal community rides — see calendar

📍 Rotating trailheads

Beginner-friendlyFreeSummer
MTB⚠ Needs verification

Women’s Clinics & Group Rides

MT Alpha Cycling

Clinics & group rides (women / girls / non-binary)

📍 Rotating

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost variesSummer
Cycling⚠ Needs verification

Road Group Rides

Missoula Bicycle Club

Seasonal road group rides — see schedule

📍 Varies

Beginner-friendlyFreeSummer
Climbing⚠ Needs verification

Community Climbs & Clinics

Freestone Climbing Center

Intro clinics, community nights & seasonal comps

📍 Freestone Climbing Center

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost varies

Indoor — a reliable winter option.

Climbing⚠ Needs verification

Monthly Presentations

The Rocky Mountaineers

Monthly presentations + round-table

📍 Missoula

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree
Climbing⚠ Needs verification

Climbing & Skills Classes

University of Montana Outdoor Program

Rock climbing & skills classes + trips

📍 UM Fitness & Recreation Center

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropPaid
Hiking⚠ Needs verification

Hikes, Scrambles & Peaks

The Rocky Mountaineers

Leader-led hikes, scrambles & peak trips

📍 Western Montana

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropDog-friendlyCost variesSummer
Hiking⚠ Needs verification

Hands on the Land

Five Valleys Land Trust

Volunteer trail building, restoration & weed pulls

📍 Protected lands around Missoula

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer

No experience needed — real land stewardship.

Hiking⚠ Needs verification

Volunteer Trail Crew

Wild Montana (Missoula)

Volunteer trail-work projects (front- to backcountry)

📍 Western Montana trails

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer
Hiking⚠ Needs verification

Trail Stewardship Days

Montana Trail Crew

Volunteer trail-work days (summer)

📍 Missoula-area trails

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer
Hiking⚠ Needs verification

Backpacking & Trips

University of Montana Outdoor Program

Backpacking, rafting & mountaineering trips (year-round)

📍 UM Outdoor Program

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropPaid

Student-focused but a major newcomer funnel.

Hiking⚠ Needs verification

Naturalist Walks

Montana Natural History Center

Guided nature walks & Master Naturalist outings

📍 Missoula-area natural areas

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost variesSummer
Nordic⚠ Needs verification

Community Nordic Skiing

Missoula Nordic Ski Club

Groomed trails (Pattee Canyon, Rattlesnake, Lolo Pass) + winter community

📍 Pattee Canyon / Rattlesnake / Lolo Pass

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost variesWinter
Nordic⚠ Needs verification

Lessons & Citizen Events

Missoula Nordic Ski Club

Winter lessons & citizen ski events

📍 Pattee Canyon & area trails

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropPaidWinter
Backcountry⚠ Needs verification

Avalanche Awareness & Forecasts

West Central Montana Avalanche Center

Winter forecasts + free awareness talks

📍 Missoula area

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeWinter

Start here before any backcountry travel — confirm current site.

Backcountry⚠ Needs verification

Backcountry Community & Education

Montana Backcountry Alliance

Backcountry advocacy, education & community (winter)

📍 Western Montana

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeWinter
Paddling⚠ Needs verification

Guided Paddling & Lessons

Zoo Town Surfers

Guided raft / kayak / SUP / packraft + lessons (summer)

📍 Blackfoot, Clark Fork & Bitterroot rivers

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropPaidSummer
Paddling⚠ Needs verification

Kayak Classes & Alberton Gorge

University of Montana Outdoor Program

Kayak skills classes + Alberton Gorge trips (summer)

📍 UM Outdoor Program

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropPaidSummer
Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification

Chapter Meetings & Events

WestSlope Chapter, Trout Unlimited

Monthly chapter meetings + conservation events

📍 Missoula

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree

Coldwater conservation + a welcoming on-ramp to local fly fishing.

Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification

River Cleanup & Restoration

WestSlope Chapter, Trout Unlimited

Clark Fork restoration & volunteer days

📍 Area rivers

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFreeSummer
Fly Fishing⚠ Needs verification

Fly-Tying & Casting Classes

The Missoulian Angler

Fly-tying nights & casting classes (off-season)

📍 The Missoulian Angler (S. Higgins)

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropCost varies
Birding⚠ Needs verification

Bird Walks & Field Trips

Five Valleys Audubon Society

Guided bird walks & field trips

📍 Rotating locations

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree
Birding⚠ Needs verification

Monthly Programs

Five Valleys Audubon Society

Monthly programs & meetings (Sep–May)

📍 Missoula

Beginner-friendlyNo-dropFree