Bluebird Preserve Loop

The Bluebird Preserve is a brand new piece of public land, purchased by the city of Missoula in 2019, with a grand opening held just this April (2023). The 124 acre preserve offers a few miles of trails offering easy hiking and stunning views.

The best way to explore the preserve is to make a 2.3 mile loop combining the Bluebird Trail, Overlook Trail and Red Tail Trail.

You’ll begin from the trailhead and parking lot area, where you’ll find an informative sign. The singletrack trail then climbs gently but steadily up the hill.

The trail then turns to doubletrack as it mellows out. Continue past the first junction, then turn slightly left following the sign to the Overlook. This will take you to the highest point in the preserve, a scenic overlook that offers fantastic views out across Missoula and beyond.

You can then continue along the Overlook Trail until it connects with the Red Tail Trail. This path then loops back from the far end of the preserve, connecting you once again with the Bluebird Trail.

Once on this familiar trail continue the way you originally came back to the trailhead.