About the Greenough Park Loop
A small park right in the center of the city Missoula, Greenough, spans 42 acres straddling Rattlesnake Creek. A paved bike path follows, for the most part, the creek. The main trail, a one-mile, paved walking and bicycling path, circles the park, following the creek for part of the way. Footbridges cross the creek at either end of the park. Several unpaved trails branch off the main loop to take you through the woods and along the creek.
Thick, riparian vegetation makes Greenough Park a great place to watch birds within the city limits. You can see common resident birds such as the downy woodpecker, dipper and mountain chickadee as well as red- tailed hawks, black-chinned hummingbirds, green winged teal and other summer residents. Occasionally, you'll see great blue herons and screech owls. To the west of the footbridge in the southern part of the park, you'll find picnic tables and benches along the creek. There is a group picnic area on the east side of the park, just off Monroe Street.
Directions: Take Madison Street north, across the train tracks and under the Interstate. An entrance to the park is immediately across Vine Street after the Interstate underpass. If driving, turn right on Vine Street, curve left and follow Monroe Street to a parking lot on the left.
