The Clark Fork Native Prairie
The Clark Fork Native Prairie is a 2.5-acre restored grassland in the heart of Missoula. Located between the east end of 4th Street and the Riverfront Trail, it hosts over 100 species of plants that are native to the Missoula Valley and surrounding areas.
The Prairie was once an important dig site when Indigenous Tribes of the region harvested bitterroots. After European settlement in the mid-1880’s, the site became industrialized, and by the 1970’s, hosted a switching yard for the Milwaukee Railroad and an oil depot for Exxon. In 1980, the site was purchased by the City as one of Missoula’s very first open spaces.
The site was then restored to native grassland by volunteers led by local botanist, John Pierce. The plants were salvaged from areas in the Valley that were slated for development.
Today, the Prairie fulfills many roles: it’s a place of quiet beauty in the center of the City, an outdoor classroom for many local students, and a source of seeds from plants uniquely adapted to this area. It rewards those who are patient and inquisitive with wonderful views of native plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife.