Last checked October 2026. Hours and conditions change; links go to the people who run each place.
The M sits on the west face of Mount Sentinel, right above the University of Montana campus, and you can see it from nearly everywhere in town. The trail to it is short and steep, it is free, and it is open year-round. Most people go up for the view of the valley, and the summit of Mount Sentinel is there for anyone who wants more.
Where the trail starts and where to park
The main M trailhead is on Campus Drive, behind the Adams Center and across from Aber Hall, according to the University of Montana's guide to the trail. The trail is on university land, and UM has maintained it since students built it in 1908.
Parking on campus during weekday operating hours takes a UM permit or an hourly fee paid through the Passport app; evenings and weekends are free, per the same UM guide. UM Transportation and Parking Services lists hourly parking at $1.25 an hour and a $10 visitor day pass. Look for the Passport signs in the lot and enter the four-digit zone code shown there when you pay in the app.
If you live nearby or are staying downtown, walking or biking to campus saves the parking question entirely.
How long and how steep
The M trail climbs about 620 feet in roughly three-quarters of a mile across 13 switchbacks, according to UM. That works out to a steady, real climb with no flat stretches. The surface is dirt and rock the whole way, and benches at several switchbacks give you a reason to stop and look back over campus and the Clark Fork.
The climb at a glance
Thirteen switchbacks to the M
- Dogs must be leashed on the M trail.
- Campus parking is $1.25 an hour on weekdays through the Passport app, and free evenings and weekends.
- Open year-round. Bring shoe spikes when the switchbacks ice up.
Figures from the University of Montana. The drawing shows the shape of the hike, not exact distances or grades.
UM has been regrading parts of the trail to slow erosion. A 2024 project lengthened and eased three lower sections, and earlier work added about 100 railroad ties as steps. Expect a well-built path, but a steep one.
Shoes with good traction help on the descent, which is where most people slip. Trekking poles take some of the load off your knees.
Beyond the M to the summit
The M is well short of halfway up the mountain. The trail keeps climbing past it to the top of Mount Sentinel, which UM lists at 5,158 feet. The upper mountain is more open and more demanding than the M trail, and the ridge connects to other routes, including toward Pattee Canyon.
UM also points to the Maurice Trailhead on the south side of the University District as another way onto the mountain. Carry water and an extra layer if you are going for the summit.
Who manages Mount Sentinel
The M trail itself is on University of Montana property. Elsewhere on Mount Sentinel, the City of Missoula owns open space conservation land, and the city's Conservation Lands division manages it in cooperation with partners that include the University of Montana and the U.S. Forest Service. That patchwork is why rules can change as you climb, so read the signs at each junction.
At the bottom of the mountain, the gravel Kim Williams Trail runs about 2.5 flat miles between the Clark Fork and the base of Sentinel, per UM. It makes an easy add-on for anyone in your group who would rather skip the climb.
Dogs
UM says pets must be leashed at all times on the M trail. The City of Missoula also requires leashes where posted on Mount Sentinel, the M trail and trail sections on the south face.
On the city's conservation lands on Mount Sentinel, dogs may be under voice restraint outside posted leash zones, but only if you stay within 75 feet of your dog and it comes back every time, according to the city's rules for dogs on conservation land. Dogs must be leashed in parking areas and within 200 yards of trailheads. A dog that runs up to people or chases wildlife is not under voice restraint and needs a leash. Pack out the waste; the city provides free bags at trailheads.
Seasons on the M
The trail is open all year. Each season changes it:
- Winter: the switchbacks ice up. UM recommends shoe spikes, and they make a real difference on the way down.
- Summer: the west face gets full afternoon sun and little shade. Bring water and go early or near sunset.
- Fall: right now, in October, cool mornings and dry trail make this one of the best times to hike it. Afternoons can still be warm on the open slope.
UM occasionally closes switchbacks for maintenance, as it did for a week in May 2024, and still keeps a route to the M open. Watch UM News for announcements.
Trail etiquette
The M trail is busy, especially on weekend mornings and summer evenings. A few habits keep it working for everyone:
- Stay on the trail. UM says cutting switchbacks is the main threat to the trail and the hillside, and erosion repair is ongoing.
- Step aside to let faster hikers pass rather than stepping off the switchbacks.
- Leave the M itself as you found it.
- Pick up after your dog and keep it close on the narrow switchbacks.
The trail is supported in part by donations to the Friends of the M Trail and by sales of M merchandise, according to UM.
Quick answers
How long does it take to hike the M in Missoula?
The trail is about three-quarters of a mile one way with about 620 feet of climbing over 13 switchbacks. Plan on a short but steady climb, plus time on the benches for the view.
Is the M trail free?
Yes, hiking the M is free. Campus parking costs $1.25 an hour on weekdays through the Passport app and is free evenings and weekends.
Can I bring my dog on the M trail?
Yes, on a leash. UM requires dogs to be leashed at all times on the M trail.
How high is Mount Sentinel?
The summit is 5,158 feet. The trail continues past the M to the top, and that upper stretch is longer and harder than the M trail itself.
Is the M trail open in winter?
Yes, it is open year-round. The switchbacks get icy, so wear traction devices on your shoes.
For more places to go around town, see all of the Missoula Commons visitor guides.
