Overview The Pattee Canyon Picnic Area offers family picnic sites available for free, along with three group picnic sites available by reservation. The picnic area is open July 1 through Labor Day.Recreation The Pattee Canyon Recreation Area is a popular spot for day hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnick…
Overview The Pattee Canyon Picnic Area offers family picnic sites available for free, along with three group picnic sites available by reservation. The picnic area is open July 1 through Labor Day.Recreation The Pattee Canyon Recreation Area is a popular spot for day hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnicking. There are several trailheads in the area. Cross-country skiing is popular in the area during winter months. Facilities The picnic area offers several individual- and group-sized picnic sites. The roads are paved and the group sites have trash collection receptacles and accessible vault toilets. Drinking water is not available at the picnic area. A host may be on-site during summer months. Natural Features Set in a wooded canyon east of Missoula, at 4,100 feet, the picnic site is pleasantly shaded by large ponderosa pine trees. Nearby Attractions Pattee Canyon Picnic Area is located four miles southeast of Missoula.
Photos
Pattee Picnic Site Fire Ring — Stratton TaylorPattee Picnic Site 1a Pavillion — Stratton TaylorPattee Picnic Entrance — US Forest ServicePattee Site 1a Sign and Pavillion — Stratton Taylor
How to Get There
From I-90 in Missoula, take the Orange Street exit #104 and travel south. Turn left onto West Front Street and go 0.2 miles to South Higgins Avenue, then turn right. Continue on South Higgins Avenue for about 2.7 miles to Pattee Canyon Road, then turn left. On Pattee Canyon Road, travel 4 miles heading (east) up the canyon. Look for the Pattee Canyon Picnic Area sign and entrance.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to PATTEE CANYON PICNIC AREA
Heading to PATTEE CANYON PICNIC AREA? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for PATTEE CANYON PICNIC AREA?
No central reservation system listed for PATTEE CANYON PICNIC AREA. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234481) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to PATTEE CANYON PICNIC AREA?
From I-90 in Missoula, take the Orange Street exit #104 and travel south. Turn left onto West Front Street and go 0.2 miles to South Higgins Avenue, then turn right. Continue on South Higgins Avenue for about 2.7 miles to Pattee Canyon Road, then turn left. On Pattee Canyon Road, travel 4 miles heading (east) up the canyon. Look for the Pattee Canyon Picnic Area sign and entrance.
