Rattlesnake National Recreation Area

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is a large protected landscape north of Missoula spanning about 28,000 acres with forests, meadows, and mountain lakes throughout. The terrain includes over 100 kilometers of marked trails and extends to alpine zones with several peaks.

The area was established as a recreation area by Congress in 1980 alongside the adjacent Rattlesnake Wilderness to protect the landscape. This legal designation aimed to prevent intensive development while allowing sustainable use of the land.

The lands around McLeod Peak held spiritual meaning for the Salish people, who conducted vision quests in this area under Flathead Indian Reservation protection. These sacred places continue to shape the cultural identity of local Native communities today.

The area offers over 100 kilometers of hiking trails in various difficulty levels that are also used for horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing in winter. Accessibility varies by season, as higher elevations receive heavy snow and some trails open late in spring.

Shoo Fly Meadows contains one of the few Sphagnum bogs in the western United States and supports rare native orchid species within a diverse plant community. This specialized environment is accessible to visitors and offers insight into a rare ecosystem.