Tom Green Memorial Park
A nature trail along Rattlesnake Creek in Missoula
Tom Green Memorial Park is a short nature trail beside Rattlesnake Creek in Missoula.
Features: This nature trail is a part of Missoula's Trails and Open Space Systems, linking Greenough Park and the Rattlesnake Greenway. It is also adjacent to Pineview Park, which has picnic tables, tennis courts, large fields, and a playground.
Accessibility info and site description: Parking for Tom Green Memorial Park can be found on Pineview Drive in front of Pineview Park. There is no accessible parking, and two porta-potties are in the park near the playground. One of the porta-potties is accessible, but it has a broken latch, and the makeshift latch leaves a large gap in the door when locked.
There are two ways to get to the nature trail from here. There is an entrance on the north side that could be accessed by going from the Pineview parking lot, through the park, and up to Mountain View Drive (Note: I did not get a chance to check out this entrance, but it is a through-trail for cyclists and joggers). The other option is the east entrance, located at the back left corner of the parking lot, marked with a plaque on a stone. This entrance goes down a steep hill with dirt and wood forming a rough staircase, followed by another steep section with a big step down and large rocks on the dirt trail. Once down, there is a narrow dirt trail that meets up with the main path after about 150 feet.
Turn left and follow the trail south. The path is a natural dirt trail, with tree roots and large rocks scattered throughout. The trail runs along Rattlesnake Creek and there are several spots where you can access the creek. The trail is surrounded by lush vegetation, so the width of the trail varies, and there are no benches. There is one educational sign describing riparian areas and water quality. The trail ends in a residential area. The total distance from the east entrance to the south end is around 1350 feet, or about 1/2 mile round trip. From the north entrance, it would be 2000 feet, or 3/4 mile round trip, including the walk from the parking lot to the north entrance.
My experience: What I loved about this nature trail is how lush and overgrown the vegetation is here. It's like stepping into another world and it reminded me of the forest preserves I grew up exploring in the Midwest. Keep in mind this is an undeveloped natural area with no facilities, and it seems more like a path connecting other jogging or bike paths rather than being a destination location. The entrance from the east side is pretty treacherous, and there's no parking by the south end. I did not get a chance to check out the north side, so I can't say for sure what the trail is like there. This is a popular location for cyclists, joggers, and people walking their dogs, so it can get quite busy. Be aware of other visitors too: bears and moose have been seen in this area!
Overall, Tom Green Memorial Park offers an undeveloped nature trail to explore right in town. Come here to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy a stroll by the creek!
For more information on the adjacent Pineview Park, visit:
https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/37
