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Stop 7: Missoula, MT — FINAL STOP ✈️
Montana's most vibrant, progressive city — University of Montana town, incredible outdoor culture, great food, Clark Fork River through downtown. Wind down the trip here, return the RV, and fly home from MSO.
FINAL STOP — Trip Ends Here
Missoula is your wind-down destination. 2 nights here give you time to explore, rest, and handle RV return logistics without rushing. Fly home Aug 31 from MSO (Missoula Montana Airport) → Miami. RV dropoff is typically by noon on return day — coordinate with your rental company.
Missoula is your wind-down destination. 2 nights here give you time to explore, rest, and handle RV return logistics without rushing. Fly home Aug 31 from MSO (Missoula Montana Airport) → Miami. RV dropoff is typically by noon on return day — coordinate with your rental company.
RV RETURN DAY — Aug 31
Return the RV to the Missoula dropoff location (confirm address with Cruise America / Outdoorsy / RVshare). Most companies require return by noon. MSO airport is only 10–15 min from downtown — easy morning logistics. Do a final walkthrough, remove all personal gear, empty tanks if required.
Return the RV to the Missoula dropoff location (confirm address with Cruise America / Outdoorsy / RVshare). Most companies require return by noon. MSO airport is only 10–15 min from downtown — easy morning logistics. Do a final walkthrough, remove all personal gear, empty tanks if required.
Where to Stay
🏨 Hotels
DoubleTree by Hilton Missoula-Edgewater
★★★
$180–$280/night
On the Clark Fork River — great views and riverside walking trails from hotel. Indoor pool. Kids can fish/kayak right from the hotel grounds. Famous DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies at check-in.
⭐ Best Location on the River
C'mon Inn Grand Hotel & Suites
★★★
$150–$230/night
Large indoor pool with waterslide 🎉. Arcade/game room. Free breakfast buffet. Best for families who want waterslide + budget rates. Kids will love the last few nights here.
💰 Best for Families Wanting Waterslide
Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown
★★★
$160–$240/night
Indoor pool, game room. Walkable downtown location — easy access to Caras Park and the river walk. Good base for exploring the city on foot.
🚐 RV Parks
Jim & Mary's RV Park
$64.81/night
Most Popular RV Park in the USA (Campspot Awards winner). Right off I-90, less than 10 min to downtown Missoula. 70 unique spaces, beautiful gardens, Montana gift shop. Excellent amenities, dog park, laundry. 4.9 stars, 172 reviews. Good dropoff point for RV return coordination.
🏆 #1 Rated RV Park in the USA
Jellystone Park Missoula
$60–$90/night
Family resort RV park. Pool, activities, Yogi Bear theme — kids go absolutely crazy for it. Full hookups, playground, jumping pillow. The most fun RV park option for the last nights.
Missoula KOA
$55–$80/night
Full hookups, pool, playground. Close to downtown. Reliable KOA property — easy logistics for RV dropoff day.
Attractions & Activities
A Carousel for Missoula
Hand-carved 1995 carousel in Caras Park — $1/ride. One of the most beautiful carousels in America. Kids will want to ride it multiple times. Right on the river.
Splash Montana Aquatics Center
Public outdoor waterpark/pool with waterslides. ~$10/person — incredible value. Kids absolutely love this after days of hiking. Great summer afternoon activity.
Clark Fork River Walk
Beautiful urban trail along the river — free, great for bikes/scooters. Caras Park riverside park with farmers market (Saturdays), concerts, and outdoor events.
UM Campus + M Trail
Beautiful University of Montana campus, Grizzly Stadium, and the M Trail — short hike to the giant M on the hillside above town with panoramic city views.
Brennan's Wave
Artificial surf wave on the Clark Fork. Watch surfers and kayakers ride the wave right in the middle of downtown. Fascinating urban spectacle — Montana's surf culture.
10,000 Waves Raft & Kayak
Clark Fork family float trips — class II-III whitewater. $50–$80/person. A great way to end the trip with one more Montana adventure.
Family Hikes
🅼
The M Trail 🟡 Moderate
2 miles RT · 620 ft gain · Panoramic city views · Ages 8+
The signature Missoula hike. Switchbacks up to the iconic white "M" on Mount Sentinel. Panoramic views of the city, Clark Fork River, and mountains beyond. Start near the UM campus.
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Kim Williams Trail 🟢 Easy
Easy · Flat riverside · Perfect for bikes · All ages
Easy flat riverside trail along the Clark Fork. Perfect for bikes (rent in town). Beautiful views of the river and mountains. Great for the younger kids too — a gentle way to wind down the trip.
Restaurants
- The Notorious P.I.G.BBQ — excellent ribs, brisket, pulled pork. Kids love it
- Biga PizzaBest pizza in Missoula — communal tables, funky vibe
- Bridge PizzaAnother excellent pizza option — great atmosphere
- Tamarack BrewingGreat burgers, brewery for adults, solid kids menu
- PlonkWine bar with excellent food — surprisingly kid-friendly
- The Catalyst CaféLocal favorite for last breakfast before flying home
Fly Home: MSO → MIA (Aug 31)
🚐 RV Return Day Logistics
- Confirm RV return address with your rental company (Cruise America, Outdoorsy, or RVshare)
- Most companies require return by noon — plan morning accordingly
- Do a full walkthrough: remove all personal gear, food, Angel's dog supplies
- Empty and flush black/grey water tanks if required by rental agreement
- Document the RV condition with photos before handoff
- MSO airport is only 10–15 min from downtown Missoula — easy morning logistics
✈️ MSO → MIA Flight Info
- Delta: MSO → SLC → MIA — most reliable option
- United: MSO → DEN → MIA — frequent service via Denver
- Alaska Airlines: MSO → SEA → MIA — good option, Alaska hub in SEA
- American: MSO → ORD/DFW → MIA — American hub in MIA
- MSO is a smaller airport — fewer flights than BZN, book early
- Aug 31 is a Sunday — plan ahead for potential weekend travel volume
- Budget: $500–$900/person = $3,000–$5,400 for 6 people
- Arrive at MSO at least 90 min before departure (small airport, easy security)
🏁 Last Day Timeline (Aug 30–31)
- Aug 30 evening: Final family dinner — Biga Pizza or Tamarack Brewing. Toast to the adventure.
- Aug 31 morning: Pack up RV, final walkthrough, breakfast at The Catalyst Café
- Aug 31 mid-morning: Return RV at dropoff location (confirm time with company)
- Aug 31: Head to MSO airport (10–15 min from downtown)
- Aug 31: Fly MSO → MIA. Trip complete! 🦞🏔️
Location