Trails Bond Program
In November 2014, Missoula city and county residents voted to approve a $42 million countywide Parks & Trails Bond to expand or improve park and recreational opportunities in Missoula County. $3 million of this bond funding is set aside to build or improve county trails to provide additional opportunities for recreation, access to public lands, and connections between communities.
The Trails Bond Program encourages applications for all types of trails – commuter, recreational, fitness, equestrian, ski trails and more. Project sponsors are asked to demonstrate community support through partnerships and secured or pending project funding sources.
Active Projects
Rock Creek Confluence
Five Valleys Land Trust applied for bond funding in 2025 to expand the parking lot and improve the trail system at the Rock Creek Confluence area. Total requested: $100,000.
Marshall Mountain Park
Upgrades include kiosks for maps and signs, bear proof trash cans, an ADA accessible restroom, bike racks and water fountains at the base area of Marshall Mountain Park. Total requested: $176,581.
Previous Projects
Butler Creek Trail
In collaboration with Missoula County Parks, Trails & Recreation Staff, the Butler Creek Trails Association spearheaded this project which will build 0.3-miles of trail from the intersection of Butler Creek Road and Gooden Drive to the intersection of Butler Creek Road and Macarthur Drive. This section is the crucial first step of a longer 2-mile-long trail up Butler Creek Road. The project is slated to be constructed in summer 2025.
Milltown State Park
In 2019, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks applied for and was granted the use of Trails Bond funds to help support the building of the Bandman Flats Trailhead at Milltown State Park. Trails Bond funding accounted for 24% of the total project cost and helped fund trailhead amenities and trail creation at the Bandman Flats trailhead.
Other funded projects include:
- Grant Creek Trails Association (2017)
- Bonner Street Car Trail (2017)
- New Meadows County Park (2018)