Park Use Policies

Hours

Missoula’s parks are open to the public from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.  Lighted riverfront trails are open from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

Parks and Picnic Shelters

Park shelters are available for picnics, family reunions, weddings, and other events. You may reserve the picnic shelters in various parks during these time blocks: 6am to 11am, 12pm to 5pm and 6pm to 10pm, or all day. Fees vary, depending on the park, from $30 to $35 per time block, or $75 or $87.50 per day. Call 721-PARK weekdays between 8:30am to 12:30pm for park reservations.

No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the following parks and trails: Greenough Park, Missoula Skatepark, Westside Park, Memorial Rose Garden, Jacobs Island, Clark Fork Natural Area River Front Park System, Kim Williams Nature Trail, Gregory Park, beneath the Orange Street Bridge and the area west of the bridge, or any park that does not have public restrooms available. Alcohol permitted in other parks by permit only.

Special Events

The fee to register a special event, such as a wedding, in a non-reservable facility is $50.  We register these events to limit overbooking of a facility.  The public has full access to the area during your event.  All deposits and permits are applicable.

Alcohol In City Parks

The policy regarding alcohol in the parks is as follows:  For groups of 2 or more, a $200 deposit will be required for a Beer and Wine Permit.  Alcohol use in Caras, Kiwanis, and McCormick Park require a $10 fee in addition to the $200 deposit.  Only beer and wine are allowed in parks.

No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the following parks and trails: Greenough Park, Missoula Skatepark, Westside Park, Memorial Rose Garden, Jacobs Island, Clark Fork Natural Area River Front Park System, Kim Williams Nature Trail, Gregory Park, beneath the Orange Street Bridge and the area west of the bridge, or any park that does not have public restrooms available. Alcohol permitted in other parks by permit only.

No glass beverage containers allowed in city parks.  YOUR DEPOSIT WILL BE REFUNDED ONLY IF YOU REMOVE YOUR TRASH FROM THE PARK, DO NO DAMAGE, AND FOLLOW THE ALCOHOL POLICIES.

Deposits

Due to the large number of reservations throughout the summer, the Missoula Parks and Recreation Department is unable to return deposits by mail.  For a refund on your deposit, please call the Missoula Parks and Recreation Department giving authorization to destroy your check, or come into the office to pick your check up.

Park Rules

The following is not allowed in parks:  Open fires, amplified music, charging for entry to parks, charging or selling anything in parks without special permission from the Parks and Recreation Director, animals in parks except dogs on leashes, motorized vehicles except in designated areas, digging or driving pegs in the ground, firearms or fireworks, practicing golf, and overnight camping.  The City of Missoula has a leash law.  Dog owners are responsible for removing dog waste from city parks.

We hope that you have an enjoyable gathering.  If you have any questions, please call us at 721-PARK.

Pets in Parks

Pets and people need to work together to keep city parks clean. City ordinances require that dogs be on leashes in city parks and that pet owners remove their pet’s waste from the park.  There is a $25 fine for having an unleashed pet in a city park. To report an animal problem in a city park, call City/County Animal Control at 541-7387.

Jacob’s Island Bark Park

Six acres at the east end of Jacob’s Island Park has been fenced and “double-gated” to provide a secure place for owners and their dogs to romp, get the exercise they need, and have fun off-leash.  Leashes are still required in all other city parks. For more information, call 721-PARK.

Pet owners can ensure the success of the Bark Park by following a few simple rules:

•           Owners must clean up after their pets immediately.

•           No aggressive dogs allowed.

•           Dogs must be licensed and vaccinated.

•           Report rule infractions to Animal Control 541-7387.