Pattee Canyon Picnic Area

About

Pattee Canyon Picnic Area is a day-use facility within the 3,200-acre Pattee Canyon Recreation Area, located four miles southeast of Missoula in Lolo National Forest. Set at 4,100 feet elevation in a wooded canyon, the site provides shaded picnic spots beneath large ponderosa pine trees. The area is strictly day-use only with no overnight camping permitted. The facility offers 14 individual family picnic sites available free of charge, plus three group picnic sites (Site A at $100/day, Sites B and C at $50/day each) that require advance reservations through Recreation.gov during the primary season. Amenities include accessible vault toilets, trash collection receptacles, picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Potable water is not available. The broader Pattee Canyon Recreation Area features 27 miles of trails open year-round to hikers, mountain bikers, joggers, cross-country skiers, and dog walkers. The area also includes a disc golf course.

Directions

From I-90 in Missoula, take the Orange Street exit #104 and travel south. Turn left onto West Front Street and go 0.2 miles to South Higgins Avenue, then turn right. Continue on South Higgins Avenue for about 2.7 miles to Pattee Canyon Road, then turn left. On Pattee Canyon Road, travel 4 miles east up the canyon to the Pattee Canyon Picnic Area entrance.