Entry No. 40 — the Missoula file — filed under: haunted
Missoula City Cemetery & 'Stories and Stones'
Established in 1884, the Missoula City Cemetery is one of the oldest operating burial grounds in the valley, known for its quiet, tree-shaded grounds. Each fall the city's free 'Stories and Stones' tour sends costumed volunteers among the headstones to portray real Missoulians buried there, turning local dark history and forgotten lives into a guided afternoon walk. The cemetery itself is open year-round (daily 8 a.m. to sunset) for self-guided strolls.
The story
Since 1884, the Missoula City Cemetery at 2000 Cemetery Road has quietly stacked the valley’s history into the dirt. It remains an active burial ground, but beneath its mature trees lies an unfiltered archive of local lives, tragic misadventures, and buried secrets. Most days, it’s just a silent grid of weathered 19th-century headstones and quiet shade. But if you know when to visit, the dead get a chance to speak for themselves.
Every September, the cemetery hosts 'Stories and Stones,' a free historical walking event where the quiet grounds turn into an outdoor theater. Local costumed volunteers position themselves beside specific graves to portray real Missoulians laid to rest there. Rather than cheap ghost-tour theatrics or jump scares, the event leans into documented local history and dark archives—ranging from forgotten pioneers to a former Missoula County Attorney walking visitors through historical serial killer cases right beside the plots.
What it's like
On standard days, expect a dead-quiet self-guided walk through sprawling rows of historic headstones between 8 a.m. and sunset. In mid-September during Stories and Stones, the cemetery fills with guided walk-ups following printed guidebooks or volunteer escorts plot-to-plot. You'll move from stone to stone in the cool air, stopping to hear actors deliver monologues based on city records. Wear sturdy walking shoes for uneven grass, bring a little cash for the donation bucket, and remember that active burials still occur here, so mind the unmarked spaces.
The move: Go to the September 'Stories and Stones' tour to meet the costumed dead, or on any quiet evening walk the 1884 grounds yourselves and hunt for the oldest, strangest headstones.
📍 Before you go The guided 'Stories and Stones' tour is annual, typically September, and free (donation-supported). The cemetery is open for self-guided visits year-round; be respectful as it is an active burial ground.
- 📍 Missoula
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2000 Cemetery Rd, Missoula, MT 59802
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Unseen Missoula: Screams & Spirits — Double down on local dark history by taking an after-dark downtown walking tour after exploring the gravestones.
- Silver Park Sculpture Park — Trade 19th-century stone monuments for modern outdoor art along the riverfront.
- The Clay Studio of Missoula — Balance a quiet walk among historic burial plots with a hands-on ceramics session in the Northside neighborhood less than a mile away.
Good to know
How much does the Stories and Stones tour cost?
It is completely free to attend, though donation-supported to help maintain the programming.
When is the cemetery open for self-guided visits?
The grounds are open daily year-round from 8:00 a.m. until sunset.
Is 'Stories and Stones' a spooky ghost hunt or a historical tour?
It is a grounded history walk. The costumed re-enactors tell stories drawn directly from court records, newspaper archives, and regional history rather than paranormal lore.
How can I contact the cemetery office?
You can reach them by phone at 406-552-6070 or by email at cemetery@ci.missoula.mt.us.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: ci.missoula.mt.us · missoulian.com
last checked: 2026-06-24