Fort Missoula, Montana — History & Visitor Guide

Fort Missoula (Missoula, Montana)

Missoula · Montana · Indian Wars

Quick BriefFort Missoula was established by the United States Army in 1877 on land that is now part of the city of Missoula, Montana, to protect settlers in Western Montana from possible threats from the Nez Perce and other Native American groups. Designed as an "open fort" without walls, a common design for posts west of the Mississippi, the post gained historical prominence for hosting the Buffalo Soldiers of the 25th Infantry Regiment beginning in 1888, whose members conducted experimental bicycle training rides, including one all the way to St. Louis, Missouri.

Open to visitors

History & Significance

Two companies of the 7th Infantry arrived June 25, 1877 to begin construction, but fighting soon halted work when officers received orders to engage non-treaty Nez Perce Indians, resulting in the garrison's participation in the Battle of the Big Hole. After General William T. Sherman visited in September 1877 and recommended expansion, the 7th Infantry was replaced by a battalion of the 3rd Infantry in November 1877.

The 25th Infantry Regiment arrived in May 1888, one of four regiments created after the Civil War comprising black soldiers with white officers. Twenty of its men explored military bicycle applications, riding 1,900 miles from Missoula to St. Louis in 40 days.

The fort served as a World War I training center and was designated the Northwest Regional Headquarters for the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933, serving as the administration and supply center for dozens of camps across Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming national parks until June 1942. During World War II, the fort was converted to an alien detention center, housing over 1,200 Italian internees who called it "Camp Bella Vista," and later held Japanese-American detainees.

After decommissioning in 1947, many buildings were dismantled and removed. The fort was formally decommissioned in 2001 and its cemetery transferred to the National Cemetery Administration in 2019.

Key Facts

StateMontana

LocationMissoula

Established1877

Decommissioned2001

War / eraIndian Wars

Current statusMuseum / Historic Site

Coordinates46.84277778, -114.0580556

NRHP reference87000865

Map

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🧳 Visiting

What you’ll see when you visit:

Preserved military buildings from 1877 Indian Wars era
Buffalo Soldiers bicycle experiment history and artifacts
WWII internment camp interpretive exhibits
Officers' quarters and parade ground
Regional settlement and frontier conflict context

Best time to visitSummer (June-August) and early fall (September) offer warm, dry weather ideal for touring the outdoor fort grounds and buildings.

Getting thereMissoula Montana Airport (MSO) is 8.5 km from the fort, with ground transportation available to downtown Missoula.

From the nearest major airportMissoula Montana Airport (MSO)🚗 8 mi by road⏱️ ≈ 17 min drive

Fort Missoula (Missoula, Montana)

History & Significance

Key Facts

Map

🧳 Visiting

Sources

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