Clark Fork Riverfront Trails

The crown jewel of the running scene in Missoula is the Clark Fork River, the beautiful body of water which bisects the city. There are parklands all along the riverfront that offer access to gravel multi-use paths on the north and south banks. The Kim Williams Trail runs along the south bank for 4 miles from the Montana Fish and Game Association station in the east to the Clark Fork Natural Area in the west. From here, it branches in several directions. A segment of the Riverfront Trail continues along the water for about a mile to the California Street Bridge. The Milwaukee Trail continues west for 2 miles through the Riverfront and River Road neighborhoods, intersecting with the 3 mile Bitterroot Branch Trail, which runs north to south from Ogren Park to the Bitterroot Trail, a 50 mile paved stretch along Route 93.

On the north bank of the Clark Fork River, the Northside Trail runs from Providence St. Patrick Hospital through Cara Park, Bess Reed Park, and Kiwanis Park to the Doubletree Hotel on East Front Street. Just off Front Street, a bridge crosses Jacobs Island to the south bank. Runners can connect both bridges for a loop of about 4 miles.