Smokejumper Visitor Center
Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center
The largest aerial firefighting base of the U.S. Forest Service, where guided tours take you through the smokejumpers' equipment room, parachute-sewing rooms and aircraft ready to go.
Missoula is one of the birthplaces of the 'smokejumpers,' firefighters who parachute into remote mountain forests to fight wildfires in their early stages. The Forest Service's aerial firefighting base beside the airport is the largest smokejumper base in the country. The visitor center has exhibits on wildfire and parachuting history, along with a reconstructed 1930s mountaintop fire lookout tower. In summer, a smokejumper leads a tour of about 45 minutes through the training tower, equipment and the parachute-sewing room, and if you're lucky, you may see them deploy. It is generally open every day from late May to early September, with tours on the hour, and admission is free. Reservations are required in other seasons. The base is on the west side of Missoula Airport, about 10 km west of downtown, a 15-minute drive.
Opening hours
Summer approx. 08:30–17:00 (late May to early Sep)
Nearby sights
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Elk Country Visitor Center
- Historical Museum at Fort Missoula
- Brennan's Wave
- Caras Park & Riverfront Trail
- Missoula Farmers Market & Clark Fork Market
- Downtown Missoula
- Missoula Art Museum
- University of Montana