Clark Fork River and Caras Park

The river at the centre of Missoula, with a trail, swimming holes, and Caras Park

The Clark Fork River is the reason Missoula exists and is still the reason most people enjoy it. The river runs through the centre of town, and the riverfront trail — a paved path running from the Orange Street bridge east past the University — is the city's main artery for cyclists, runners, and walkers. In summer, Caras Park on the river's north bank fills with the Saturday farmers' market, outdoor concerts, and people sitting in the grass.

Brennan's Wave, a constructed standing wave in the river downtown, is surfed year-round by kayakers and provides a free spectator sport on warm evenings. The river is also used for tubing in summer: people float the gentle stretch through town on inner tubes and inflatables, ending at Caras Park.

The Saturday farmers' market at Caras Park (May through October, Saturday mornings) is one of the better markets in Montana — local produce, prepared food vendors, and live music.

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The Clark Fork is the largest river in Montana by volume and runs through the exact centre of Missoula. In summer, floating the stretch through town on an inner tube or inflatable kayak — put in at Brennan's Wave, ride to Caras Park — is something most Missoula residents do repeatedly each summer. Brennan's Wave itself is a constructed standing wave, built in the river in 2010, that is surfed by kayakers year-round and is classified as one of the best urban kayaking waves in the United States.

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