Missoula’s Best Neighborhoods to Get in an Autumnal Mood

If you love spooky season, football season, PSL season, or however, you like to think of the months from September to November, Missoula has some magical spots that will really get you in the autumnal mood. If you want to see colorful leaves or some stellar Halloween decorations, here's where to go in Missoula this fall.

Drive Southwest on Brooks from Higgins to Mount

Driving this street when the leaves are changing is like traveling through a tunnel of autumn. This is sort of a "before" look at the street but if you need a little shot of color in your day, drive this street in the middle of October.

Walk the University Neighborhood

Last year there was an incredible number of houses around Missoula that decorated for Halloween and the University District did not disappoint. You'll see all kinds of spooky decorations but there are tons of trees that

Hike the Trails in the Rattlesnake or Pattee Canyon

As you get out of the city and into Missoula's valleys, both the Rattlesnake and Pattee Creek neighborhoods will have native plants that are changing color and usually, it feels a bit cooler when you're higher in elevation so that PSL or hot cider you brought in a thermos waiting for you back at the trailhead will taste that much better.

Slant Street Neighborhood

The Slant Street neighborhood is a bit like Brooks from Higgins to Mount, streets that feel like an autumn hallway because they're long and lined with trees. In this picture you can see that it was at the beginning of fall, but just imagine the corridors of color you can see in this neighborhood.

The Grant Creek Trail

With the Aspen and birch trees at the base of the Grant Creek neighborhood, you'll have a chance to see brilliant greens, yellows, and gold during the fall and if you take the Grant Creek Trail from the Rocky Mountain Elk Center and hike north, you'll really be in an "autumnal mood."