Missoula Montana Map

About Missoula, Montana

Missoula is a locality in Missoula County, Montana, United States. It has a population of 73,489. The population density is 822.5 people per km². Missoula is located at 46.8744°N, 114.0261°W. It observes the Mountain Time (America/Denver) timezone. Missoula is an incorporated locality. ZIP codes: 59802, 59812, 59801.

Missoula occupies a distinctive basin where the currents of the landscape converge to define the rhythm of the day. It lies 91.8 miles northwest of Butte, MT (from Butte, MT: bearing 311°T), and is situated 2.6 miles east-northeast of Orchard Homes. The Clark Fork bisects the terrain, its waters carving a path that dictates the flow of movement through the valley floor. To the east, the silhouette of the Rocky Mountains stands as a distant, jagged boundary against the vast Montana sky. The air here carries a crisp, thin clarity that sharpens the edges of the surrounding slopes, while the nearby Hellgate Canyon serves as a narrow, storied gateway for those traveling through the interior.

Missoula grew from the intersections of indigenous trade routes and the arrival of settlers who recognized the utility of this fertile, sheltered passage. Early commerce emerged as a necessity of the frontier, transforming the location into a vital stop for those traversing the immense distances of the American West. The character of Missoula is built upon these foundations of resilience and transition, where the echoes of the past remain embedded in the architecture of the older districts. It is a place that has matured by honoring its origins as a transit point, slowly evolving into a center where the wilderness meets the steady expansion of human settlement.

Economic life in Missoula remains tied to the vitality of the University of Montana, which serves as a primary engine for intellectual growth and regional development. Infrastructure thrives in the quiet hum of local commerce, supported by a workforce that balances traditional industry with a burgeoning focus on technology and education. Residents find a singular, grounded stability in the way the local economy functions, supported by the presence of institutions that reach far beyond the valley. Even as the modern world accelerates, the daily labor of the people here retains a tangible connection to the practical demands of life in a landlocked, mountainous region.

Culture in Missoula finds its most vibrant expression in the shared experiences that gather people together, particularly at Caras Park, where the community congregates for seasonal events and music. The spirit of the region is reflected in the loyalty shown to the Montana Grizzlies, whose games bring a spirited intensity to the autumn months. For those seeking the outdoors, the Blue Mountain Equestrian and Hiking Trail offers a quiet solitude, while Doyles Slough provides a refuge for quiet reflection near the water. Notable figures like the late author Norman Maclean have long captured the unique temper of this landscape in literature, ensuring that the essence of Missoula is recognized for its blend of academic curiosity and rugged, mountain-bound independence.

About This Missoula Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Missoula, Montana. Coordinates: 46.874359, -114.026136. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service. Real-time local and world news feeds keep the page current.

Detailed location data for Missoula includes the ZIP code (59802, 59812, 59801), telephone area code (406), county seat of Missoula County (Missoula), and school district assignment (Missoula High School District).

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.