In May 2026, Missoula County received a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant award totaling $838,722.89 for infrastructure improvements at Marshall Mountain Park. The LWCF Program is a federal grant program administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

The grant rounds out the remaining funds needed for the Marshall Mountain Park Base Area Redevelopment project, which focuses on improvements to the base area that will enhance the visitor experience, public safety and park accessibility. LWCF requires a 50% non-federal match. Friends of Marshall Mountain, a nonprofit that supports the park, has raised more than half of the local match needed for this project through a network of community and private donors. The Missoula Mountain Bike Coalition will put a $40,000 Montana Trail Stewardship grant it secured in 2025 toward the project and will also provide in-kind staff and volunteer contributions. The remaining required match will come from the voter-approved Missoula County Trails Bond and City-County Open Space Bond.     

Improvements at the base include:

• providing drinking water and shade
• constructing a main trailhead and completing early phase trails
• improving site accessibility for all abilities
• addressing the poor condition of ski hill era infrastructure and repurposing elements where feasible
• renovating the outdoor event and community space,
• upgrading utilities and maintenance facilities to support park operations. 

Construction and renovations are anticipated to start in 2027 while Missoula County staff and partners use 2026 to focus on remaining design and engineering.

• June 2026: Radius Trail Solutions is working on the design and construction of a new intermediate downhill mountain bike trail and completion of the final 1/2 mi base area multi-use loop. The new intermediate trail will extend from Hello Kitty all the way to the base. Work is expected to take place summer through fall 2026. 

Since public acquisition in 2023, the following new trails have been completed with the help of volunteers and the Missoula Mountain Bike Coalition:

Marshall Arts - opened fall 2025

• Type: Mountain bike
• Skill level: Expert

Mission to MARS - opened summer 2025

• Type: Mountain bike
• Skill level: Adaptive recreation 

Izzy Up - opened 2024

• Type: Multi-use/uphill only for bikes
• Skill level: Beginner