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National Museum of Forest Service History

6305 Hwy 10 W · Missoula, MT

Why you should go…

The National Museum of Forest Service History is an independent nonprofit museum on a 31-acre campus a mile west of the Missoula airport. Its visitor center is a historic Ranger's Cabin with exhibits and a gift shop, alongside a self-guided Forest Discovery Trail, a fire lookout tower, and a timber-framed event pavilion. The museum holds an archival collection of more than 50,000 historic photographs, artifacts, documents, and books. It is open seasonally, Memorial Day through Labor Day, with no admission fee.

  • #history
  • #museum
  • #free
  • #hiking

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to National Museum of Forest Service History, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Historical Museum at Fort Missoula

    Under $25

    History museum on the 32-acre Fort Missoula grounds with more than 20 preserved buildings and exhibits on the fort, timber industry and WWII internment.

    6.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Missoula

    Free

    Montana college and outdoor town at the confluence of three rivers in the Northern Rockies.

    6.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Missoula People's Market

    Free

    Saturday outdoor market of local artists and craftspeople in downtown Missoula, running May through September.

    6.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission

    Free

    Montana's western tourism region office, promoting 75-plus communities near Glacier National Park.

    6.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Sapphire Gallery & Sweet Palace

    Free

    Neighboring Philipsburg, Montana shops for hands-on sapphire mining and jewelry, next to a handmade fudge and candy store.

    56 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping