Montana RailLink Park - Missoula, MT
Montana RailLink Park is a popular community destination for dog owners and families in Missoula, Montana. This pet-friendly park features a large, enclosed dog park with double-door entrances, allowing dogs to play safely off-leash while their owners enjoy the stunning mountain views and lush grassy spaces. The park includes a mix of amenities such as paved trails, historic rail car artifacts, a playground, basketball and volleyball courts, picnic tables, a splash pad, and a beautiful community garden, making it a true multi-use recreation spot in the city.
Dog lovers appreciate convenient features in the dog park such as water fountains (with dedicated water bowls for pets in warmer months), provided poop bags and waste stations, plenty of seating (including shaded umbrellas for hot days), and year-round open grassy areas for running and play. Entry to the off-leash enclosure requires a key fob, which is available for a small annual fee after proof of up-to-date dog licensing and vaccinations, ensuring a safer and healthier environment for everyone. While some reviews mention occasional safety concerns due to loitering or mud during wet weather, recent improvements and maintenance—like adding rocks to fix muddy areas—have made visiting more enjoyable.
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Yes, dogs are allowed off-leash inside the designated fenced area with the required key fob access.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, there is a secure, fully fenced dog park with double-door entrances.
- Are vaccinations required for dogs? Yes, proof of up-to-date shots and vaccinations is required to obtain a key fob for access.
- Are there water fountains or bowls for dogs? Yes, water fountains and bowls are available during the warmer months.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? Yes, the park provides poop bags and waste receptacles for cleaning up after your pet.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there is seating with umbrellas and a rain-sheltered area for shade.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are many benches and seating areas throughout the park.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, bathroom facilities are available at the park.
- Is the park open year-round? Yes, Montana RailLink Park is open throughout the year.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Yes, a key fob and small annual fee (plus dog licensing) are required for the off-leash dog area.
- Where is the best place to park? On-street parking is widely available around the park.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park has play structures, a splash pad, and sports courts for children and families.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Montana RailLink Park connects with the Bitterroot Branch paved bike/pedestrian trail for pet-friendly walks.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? The park can get muddy in areas after rain, but recent additions of rocks have helped improve this condition.
Reviews
The park is filthy, homeless people are often passed out with needles in their arms and seen peeing on the trees. Just dont take your child here.
I wish I had read the recent reviews beforehand… It is a very nice park and the kids were very excited about it, but unfortunately we didn’t feel very comfortable or safe. If my husband hadn’t been there I probably would’ve left immediately. I hate to sound judgemental, but there was some erratic behavior and some sketchy behavior and a police officer patrolling the area. The picnic areas were fenced off. It does seem a lot cleaner than previous reviews I read. The garden area was beautiful! Hopefully this park can start to feel a lot more safe for the kiddos .
This could be an amazing park. It has a great park for the kids and a dog park with water access. However, since it is so close to the homeless shelter it is overrun by homeless people. They take over all the benches and tables, leave trash and clothes and other disgusting things all over the place. Even if they do not actually communicate with you it makes the whole park an uncomfortable place to be alone and DEFINITELY is not somewhere where I feel my kids can play safely.
I think this is one of the nicest parks in Missoula. It has things to play on, rail car artifacts, historical placards, many nice park benches, good signage for a selfie spot, plenty of open grassy spaces, a grass volleyball court, a pickleball court, basketball hoops, an enclosed dog park with double-door entrances, a view of the mountains north and south, a drinking water fountain, picnic tables, a rain sheltered area, bicycle parking area, beautiful community gardens, paved walkways, and it even connects with the bitterroot branch paved bike/pedestrian trail. I like to come here and do some pull-ups on the playground and then get down to my short shorts and tan myself in the sun for a while and then make the short walk over to the mall for a big cookie and some sushi. Great location easily accessible via the trail, and also plenty of on street parking. Bring your dog, bring your kids, bring your empty water bottle you need to fill up, bring your volleyball; this park has it all!!
This place is AMAZING!!!! My step-daughter and I go here at least once a week and we have never been bored for a second. There are some very interesting pieces of old mining equipment retrofitted to be benches a things to climb on. The location is super ant there is a DOG PARK!! I like this because my landlord will not let us have pets🙀😻👾😈😢😢 so I am still able to creep up to someone and talk about my dog-ency until they offer to let me play. The equipment is the best i have ever seen and the community garden is a very close family dream to have something like this of our own some day.