Pattee Canyon Picnic Area
Lolo National Forest — hiking
Location: MISSOULA, MT, MT
Price: From $50 per night
Price range: $50–$100 per night
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (6 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Pattee Canyon Picnic Area offers family picnic sites available for free, along with three group picnic sites available by reservation. The picnic area is open July 1 through Labor Day.Pattee Canyon Picnic Area is located four miles southeast of Missoula. The Pattee Canyon Recreation Area is a popular spot for day hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnicking.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Camp Host
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/pattee-canyon-picnic-area to be notified when sites open up.
Popular recreation area near Missoula with excellent hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities. Highly rated by visitors (4.6/5 stars) who appreciate the spread-out picnic sites and easy access to nature just minutes from town.
Wildlife alert: White-tailed Deer, Red Fox, American Short-tailed Weasel, and various bird species including American Robin observed in the area.
Insider tips for Pattee Canyon Picnic Area: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 3 tent sites Site picnic areas are spread out enough for privacy while remaining close for group gatherings Multiple trailheads available for day hikes and mountain biking within the recreation area
Skip Pattee Canyon Picnic Area if: Seeking hookups — no hookups available at sites. Planning to visit outside July 1-Labor Day — area operates seasonally. Preferring solitude — can be busy during peak season.
Best time to visit Pattee Canyon Picnic Area: July-September — Official operating season is July 1 through Labor Day. May-October season mentioned in campground data, but RIDB confirms July 1-Labor Day operations..
Nearby campgrounds: Larry Creek Group Camp (STEVENSVILLE, MT), West Fork Butte Lookout (MISSOULA, MT), Hogback Homestead (Philipsburg, MT), Double Arrow Lookout (Seeley Lake, MT).
Cell Phone Coverage at Pattee Canyon Picnic Area
Cell signal at Pattee Canyon Picnic Area (MISSOULA, MT): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The Pattee Canyon Picnic Area offers family picnic sites available for free, along with three group picnic sites available by reservation. The picnic area is open July 1 through Labor Day.Pattee Canyon Picnic Area is located four miles southeast of Missoula. The Pattee Canyon Recreation Area is a popular spot for day hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnicking.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 3 tent sites
Site picnic areas are spread out enough for privacy while remaining close for group gatherings
Multiple trailheads available for day hikes and mountain biking within the recreation area
Official operating season is July 1 through Labor Day. May-October season mentioned in campground data, but RIDB confirms July 1-Labor Day operations.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
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 heading (east) up the canyon. Look for the Pattee Canyon Picnic Area sign and entrance.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Lolo National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Lolo National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Pattee Canyon Picnic Area cost per night?+
What season is Pattee Canyon Picnic Area open?+
Does Pattee Canyon Picnic Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Pattee Canyon Picnic Area?+
How do I make reservations at Pattee Canyon Picnic Area?+
What is the cell service like at Pattee Canyon Picnic Area?+
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●Data sources on this page
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