15 Must-Do Experiences While Studying at the University of Montana
So many experiences come with the time you will spend at the University of Montana. There’s the studying and classes, of course, and the degree that opens all sorts of doors for your future. But our campus is chock-full of other curiosities and traditions you’ll encounter, and our larger Missoula community overflows with a culture that’s easy to fall in love with. And time spent at UM is time spent in the Treasure State – aptly named for all the hidden gems and polished jewels spread across its wild terrain.
You’ll define your own experience at UM with opportunities unmatched on either side of the Rockies. But to get an idea of the experiences that await a Grizzly, check out these 15 quintessential things to do while earning your degree at UM:
1) Hike the M
It’s hard to miss the giant “M” emblazoned onto the face of Mount Sentinel, backdropping our entire beautiful campus. It’s a symbol of the University and one the most popular hiking trails in Montana. Feel the thigh burn and oxygen entering your lungs on this steep ¾-mile hike with 13 switchbacks and sitting benches, and revel in the beauty of the Missoula Valley unfolding with each step up in elevation.
2) Float the River
Missoula lies at the junction of great trout rivers, and the ambling waters represent a free-flowing way of life we take pride in. From floating to fishing to simply admiring the landscape from the Beartracks Bridge, there are several ways to enjoy the Clark Fork River flowing next to campus. Arguably the most fun, however, is hopping on an innertube and floating through the scenery. Incoming students experience this first-hand as part of the Freshman Float, capping off our award-winning orientation.
3) Road Trip to Glacier
Glacier, arguably one of the best national parks in the nation, is less than a three-hour scenic drive from campus, passing through the breathtaking Flathead Valley. Pack the car with friends and road trip to this iconic outdoor destination to behold the grandeur that earns it the nickname “The Crown of the Continent.” Keep an eye out for mountain goats and massive mountain peaks, and enjoy any of the 700+ miles of hiking trails winding through the park.
4) Get a Scoop of Ice Cream at Big Dipper
Single scoop, double scoop, sprinkles or waffle cone, the options are endless at Big Dipper, one of Missoula’s best ice cream spots. It’s a short walk to this iconic ice cream purveyor from campus, perfect to get to know the date you’re bringing. No date? Take a friend or go by yourself for a sweet treat – there’s no wrong way to get your ice cream fix at this staple business on Missoula’s Hip Strip. And for other sweet treats around town, check out places like Dairy Queen on Higgins Avenue, especially for their season-opener on Valentine’s Day.
5) Soak in a Hot Spring
Weir, Jerry Johnson, Lolo and Quinn's Hot Springs - the list goes on for incredible hot springs in Montana, many within an hour’s drive of campus. If you haven’t ever soaked in thermal water surrounded by nature, what are you waiting for? Slip into your swimsuit, relax and take in a natural hot tub.
6) Cheer on Griz Athletics
Go Griz! The air is electric at Washington-Grizzly Stadium on football Saturdays and Grizzly Athletics offers much more to cheer for than just football. Students receive tickets for every intercollegiate athletics event and there are several club sports that also fill the student section on game day. Some of the most popular spectator sports at UM are volleyball, hockey, soccer and basketball.
7) Explore the Rattlesnake and Pattee Canyon
Supreme nature surrounds Missoula. Specifically, the vast acreage of Lolo National Forest is within minutes of the city center, including the Rattlesnake and Pattee Canyon National Recreation Areas. These deep dives into nature are accessible with a 10-minute drive, an uphill bike ride or by catching the free UM Hiking Shuttle from campus. Untamed nature awaits in each National Recreation Area, offering an excellent break from the schoolbooks and stressors of “normal” life.
8) Attend the Foresters' Ball
The Foresters’ Ball is a swingin’ good time. This time-honored tradition transforms the University’s Schreiber Gym into an ole’ fashioned logging town every February, hosting the most rootin’ and tootin’ party on campus. It’s a fundraising event for the College of Forestry and Conservation, which puts in all the hard work of transforming the space. But it’s a celebration the entire campus community enjoys.
9) Ice Skate on the Oval
Winter is the most wonderful time of year at UM. Cozy spaces open across campus, friends tend to come together for body warmth and the entire landscape takes on a fresh coat of snowy appeal. The University also goes to great lengths to maintain fun activities throughout the season, including installing an ice rink and fire pits on the Oval. Now you have no excuse not to land that triple axel!
Read More: Surviving Winter in Missoula
10) Catch a Movie at The Roxy
The neon lights adorning the marquee of The Roxy brighten up Missoula’s Hip Strip on the opposite banks of the Clark Fork River from downtown. This nonprofit community theater has events and screenings seven days a week, including cult classics, stand-up comedy nights and the newest releases. Check out a showing and you’ll feel the vibe of Missoula from your seat.
11) Find Your Study Spot
Our beautiful park-like campus encourages minds to wander freely. And while the scholastic atmosphere stimulates curiosity around every corner, you’re sure to find a personal spot that beckons deep study and contemplation. Maybe it’s an inviting Adirondack chair on the Oval or one of five floors in the Mansfield Library. The six different coffee shops on campus also make great options. Wherever it is, you’ll gravitate toward your favorite study spot.
12) Catch a Live Show at an Outdoor Ampitheater
Picture your favorite performer belting out their greatest hits as the sun sets on a mountain landscape with the Blackfoot River gently burbling nearby. That’s the scene at the nearby KettleHouse Amphitheater in Bonner, offering one-of-a-kind music experiences that will make your friends jealous. And it’s not the only live music venue that attracts talent and fans, with several downtown Missoula venues, like The Wilma, also offering quintessential stages to spectate.
13) Stick Around for Summer
The summer is a special time in Montana. The campus quiets down, and local Missoulians take advantage of the long days with every type of recreation found under the sun. The sun sets around 10 p.m. during the three months of summer between semesters, and the sounds of backyard parties often extend well past dusk and into the night. Stick around for the season, slather on some sunscreen, take a summer class or two and spend the rest of the days by the river.
14) Explore Missoula's Food Scene
No matter your appetite, Missoula has something for you. From breakfast burritos to sandwich shops and more than a few date night locales, it’s an authentic buffet of good times when perusing Missoula’s food scene. New restaurants pop up every year, offering new and unique tastes to explore. And campus doesn’t fall short with a variety of dining venues, including a secret recipe for chicken fingers that draws all the students to the Food Zoo.
15) Dive into the History of Butte
Venture over to Butte, less than two hours from campus, to dive into some of our state's storied history. This former mining town was the biggest city between Chicago and San Francisco in the early 1900s – when it was better known as “The Richest Hill on Earth.” Today, alongside a lively community, the entire town is a National Historic District waiting for you to explore.