September 4, 2025
MISSOULA, Mont.—Hikers and cyclists hoping to recreate at Marshall Mountain this fall will be able to catch a ride there on a new Mountain Line service for seven weekends beginning September 13.
The Marshall Mountain Line will run as a temporary pilot program to connect Missoulians to Marshall Mountain Park with zero-fare public transit from the Downtown Transfer Center. The shuttle will run hourly from downtown from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout September and October, with room for up to 16 passengers and up to 16 bicycles per trip. Passengers can board and load their bikes at the TC, at the outbound Missoula College stop, and at the outbound Sha-Ron Fishing Access stop. The shuttles are wheelchair-accessible and will be able to accommodate adaptive cycles upon request.
“Mountain Line connects people to the community, and outdoor recreation is an integral part of life in Missoula,” says Jordan Hess, CEO and General Manager of Mountain Line. “We’re excited to help more people discover Marshall Mountain with fewer barriers and enjoy getting outside on a beautiful fall weekend.”
The Marshall Mountain Line pilot is the product of extensive collaboration and planning among local and regional organizations, including Missoula County (which owns Marshall Mountain), the City of Missoula Parks and Recreation department, Five Valleys Land Trust, and other land managers and nonprofits.
“Partnerships like this keep the community vision for Marshall Mountain Park moving forward,” says Marshall Mountain Park Manager Jackson Lee. “Marshall Mountain has long been a place that embraces new ideas, and we’re especially excited about this one. Thanks to Mountain Line’s leadership, easier and more inclusive access to your all-season public mountain is on its way.”
This service is a short-term effort to connect residents who cannot or choose not to drive to recreation sites. During the pilot, Mountain Line and Missoula County staff will be collecting data and user feedback to inform future seasons of recreation shuttles.
“Our bread and butter is transporting Missoulians to medical appointments, jobs, and educational opportunities, but robust access to social and recreation opportunities is part of what makes transit a lifestyle choice versus a choice of last resort,” Hess says. “This pilot is a public-private partnership to improve access to the outdoors, but sustaining this effort in future years will take community involvement. We look forward to working with the community to find ways to continue to provide innovative transit service in the future.”
The pilot service is a result of innovative leadership by local philanthropic group Izzy Dog, LLC, to study and promote equitable access to public lands. In 2024, Izzy Dog convened local land managers to explore the possibility of a recreation shuttle. Previously, Izzy Dog purchased Marshall Mountain from a private owner in 2021 and held the property until it could be acquired by Missoula County using Open Space Bond funds. Since the transfer of Marshall Mountain to public ownership, Izzy Dog has remained active promoting conservation and equitable recreation programs at Marshall Mountain. Izzy Dog’s efforts have encouraged community support for improvements to the former ski hill through volunteerism and donations to groups like the Friends of Marshall Mountain.
Some existing Mountain Line routes serve trails and other recreation destinations year-round, like Route 5 to the Rattlesnake and Route 4 to Sha-Ron and Milltown, but the Marshall Mountain Line is the first targeted recreation shuttle run by the agency.
Complete details, including route information, schedules, frequently asked questions, and how to support future pilot efforts are available at mountainline.com/marshall.
