Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness is located just north of Missoula, Montana, and carries a 4.9 rating from reviewers who've experienced its trails, lakes, and open wilderness firsthand. It's one of the few wilderness areas in the country that sits directly adjacent to a city, making it unusually accessible for day trips on horseback or on foot. The area encompasses tens of thousands of acres of forest, streams, and mountain terrain that the Lolo National Forest manages for recreation and preservation. Horseback riders, hikers, and wilderness seekers from across Montana come here for the kind of backcountry experience that most people have to drive hours to reach.

The Rattlesnake Wilderness allows horseback riding on designated trails throughout its backcountry, giving equestrians access to mountain lakes, forested ridges, and creek drainages that aren't accessible by vehicle. Hikers can use the same trail network, with routes ranging from easy creek-side walks near the trailhead to strenuous full-day climbs into the upper wilderness. The area's lakes provide a natural destination point for longer rides or hikes, combining water scenery with the surrounding mountain terrain. Contact the Lolo National Forest at (406) 329-3814 for current trail conditions, permit requirements, and any seasonal restrictions on horse use.

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area sits on the northern edge of Missoula, making it accessible to city residents as well as visitors coming in from the Bitterroot Valley, the Seeley-Swan corridor, and communities throughout Western Montana. Its position at the edge of the Northern Rockies means it serves as a gateway to a larger network of wilderness and forest trails.