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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Largest Inclusive Playground In Montana Is Incredible

Published Oct 24, 2023

Written by 

Michelle

The importance of play in the lives of both kids and adults is oftentimes overshadowed by things like school, work, and family commitments. But, letting loose and enjoying the world around us simply for the sake of having fun helps alleviate stress and allows us to enjoy each day a little bit more. This makes it even more important for there to be places throughout our communities that allow everyone to play. This inclusive playground in Montana does that and I'd love to see more of these built around the world!

Silver Summit Playground is located at McCormick Park in Missoula. It offers a way for kids of all abilities to enjoy the joys of play.

Entrance to Silver Summit playground, featuring wooden archway and play equipment in a sunny outdoor setting.
Silver Summit: A Playground for Everyone / Facebook

The playground, which opened in 2014 after three years of planning and fundraising, is meant to serve as a place for the community to enjoy fresh air and fun activities.

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Aerial view of a playground with various equipment, surrounded by green grass and a parking lot in the background.
Google Maps

The park offers areas and structures for kids with sensory, cognitive, and multiple disabilities to have fun.

A sunny playground with colorful equipment, including slides and climbing structures, surrounded by green trees.
Summer Sims / Google

Some of the most important features include shock-absorbing surfaces for wheelchairs as well as wider spaces between equipment.

A colorful playground with slides and climbing structures, set against a backdrop of green hills and blue sky.
Matheson Harris / Google

Wider spaces and wider routes for wheelchairs mean that kids of all abilities can play together.

A colorful playground ramp with safety rails, leading to a play structure, surrounded by trees and gravel.
Melissa “Mel” Novak / Google

This is a fantastic place to have fun for both kids and adults.

Two swings in a playground: one blue and one yellow, hanging from chains on a green rubber surface.
Melissa “Mel” Novak / Google

The brightly colored area is perfect for a day outside.

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Colorful mosaic wall with a silhouette of a child, surrounded by rocks in a park setting with trees and buildings in the background.
blair gemmer / Google

Silver Summit All Abilities Playground in McCormick Park is open throughout the year. You can learn more about Silver Summit Playground by visiting their Facebook Page. You can learn more about McCormick Park by visiting the official City of Missoula website or the official Silver Summit website.

Missoula is a great place to visit before or after checking out the best inclusive playground in Montana. This is true even if you live far away. To enjoy a long weekend in Missoula, consider booking a hotel for a few days as a home base.

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Nature

The Completely Free Water Attraction Hiding in a Montana Park Is a Must-Visit

A hidden gem in downtown Missoula is Brennan's Wave. This man-made river wave in Montana is a free adventure just waiting for you.

Published Sep 16, 2024

Written by 

Courtnie Erickson

There is so much to love about Montana. From its natural wonders to its hidden gems, there are countless things to see and do. However, if you are like me, I often don’t want to spend a fortune on exploration and adventures throughout the state. I want to find something free to do. Caras Park in downtown Missoula is a true treasure with many incredible activities. One adventure that doesn’t cost a penny but provides an unforgettable experience is Brennan’s Wave.

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Caras Park is located in the heart of downtown Missoula. It sits right along the Clark Fork River and is a popular place for events of all sizes. It is also an excellent place for a little river surfing.

A serene river flows over rocks, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, with buildings visible in the background.
Christian Woodward/AllTrails

Brennan’s Wave is a man-made wave located on the Clark Fork River. It was constructed in memory of a world-class kayaker from Missoula who died while paddling in Chile.

This river surfing destination in Montana has become quite popular for kayakers, paddleboarders, and surfers. If you are up for a little adventure, you may want to hop on in.

A river with small waves, featuring surfers and a scenic backdrop of trees and a building under a clear blue sky.
Elizabeth Johnson/AllTrails

Brennan's Wave is a great place to practice your skills and spend some time on the water, especially if you love to surf. However, at this river surfing destination, you will not always receive prime water conditions. Fortunately, resources such as Magic Moss provide hourly water reports as well as daily forecast levels to help you more easily plan your water adventure.

But even if you aren’t up for some time on the water, you can still sit back and watch others who want a thrill. There are several areas near this Missoula wave where you can take a seat and watch all of the action. You can also take a walk along the Caras Park Trail. This is a short, 0.6-mile, out-and-back trail that is quite easy and takes you along the river's edge. This is one of our favorite ways to enjoy views of the man-made river wave.

A scenic river view with a pathway alongside, under a clear blue sky and a bridge in the background.
Elizabeth Johnson/AllTrails

Adventure and excitement doesn’t have to cost a fortune and you don’t have to travel far for a day of surfing. Brennan’s Wave in downtown Missoula is a true gem. It’s just one more thing to love about Missoula.

Have you ever spent time on Brennan’s Wave in Missoula? What was your experience like? What are some of your favorite free attractions in Montana? Let me know! And if you want to learn more about Caras Park and Brennan’s Wave, visit the Downtown Missoula Partnership website.

Of course, if you need any gear for some time in the water or even for a picnic in the park, head to REI or Backcountry for all of your must-have accessories.

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Best View Of Bozeman, Montana Is Found At This Tiny Park

Published Jul 31, 2024

Written by 

Jessica Moore

Bozeman is one of Montana's most beloved towns, and all it takes is one visit to understand why. It rests adjacent to the spectacular Bridger Mountain Range and is about as peaceful and welcoming as a place can be. The people who reside there offer all the warmth and hospitality that Montanans are known for. But it's the mountain views that will steal your heart, and there's one small park that offers the best views of Bozeman, Montana, and the distant mountains.

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Touted as having the best sunset views of Bozeman, Burke Park is a beloved trail that is well worth hiking if you plan to visit the area.

Sign for Burke Park with grassy fields and a trail leading into the distance, surrounded by mountains and homes.
pfefmeister / TripAdvisor

You may also hear it referred to as Peets Hill, and locals often use the names interchangeably. Burke Park is 45 acres in size, but it has a small feel to it, and you'll find that the trail is arguably the best in the area.

A winding dirt path through a grassy field with trees and a clear blue sky.
Doc_Cody / TripAdvisor

This unpaved trail meanders through a hilly meadow and provides stunning 360-degree views. You can walk as much of the trail as you'd like, but the entire trail runs a distance of 2.3 miles if you travel via the Gallagator Linear Loop. I recommend downloading the AllTrails+ app to your phone so that you can download offline trail maps and record your hike.

A serene landscape at dusk, featuring a grassy field, a wooden fence, and distant mountains under a colorful sky.
bmswanson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

For the best experience, I also suggest that you hike the trail during sunrise or sunset so that you can take in the vibrant hues of the surrounding landscape, as well as the illustrious Bridger Mountain Range in the distance.

A vibrant sunset over a lush landscape, with colorful flowers in the foreground and a serene sky filled with clouds.
bmswanson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

During the spring and summer months, you'll likely encounter colorful wildflowers atop Peets Hill. Those mountain views simply never disappoint!

A vibrant field of purple flowers in front of tall green trees and majestic mountains under a colorful sunset sky.
bmswanson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

It's easy to see why people fall in love with Burke Park and these stunning views on Peets Hill!

A field of yellow wildflowers under a dramatic sky at sunset, with lush greenery in the background.
bmswanson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

This trail is accessible year-round and is beautiful all season long, so be sure to check out the views of Bozeman from Burke Park the next time you pass through the area.

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A winding gravel path through a vibrant field of wildflowers under a dramatic sky at sunset.
bmswanson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Have you ever witnessed these spectacular views of Bozeman from Peets Hill in Burke Park, Montana? We hope these images inspire you to add this beautiful trail to your hiking bucket list the next time you travel through the area.

If scenery is what you're after, check out our list of the 11 most beautiful places in Montana that surely belong on your travel bucket list. Which of these stunning destinations in Montana do you feel called to visit first?

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