Entry No. 47 — the Missoula file — filed under: outdoor
Silver Park Sculpture Park
A free, outdoor sculpture program scattered across 15-acre Silver Park, on the Clark Fork River where the Polleys lumber mill once stood. The nonprofit Sculpture Missoula curates large-scale works through an open national call, and the lineup rotates every couple of years so there is usually something new to find. Trails, picnic shelters, and a river boat landing share the space, so the art reveals itself as you wander.
The story
Before this 15-acre plot along Wyoming Street became a home for rotating public art, it was the Polleys lumber mill, chewing through raw timber right along the Clark Fork River. Today, the sawmills are gone, replaced by open grass, dirt trails, and large-scale contemporary sculptures that sit in the field without ropes, pedestals, or security guards looking over your shoulder.
The non-profit Sculpture Missoula runs a national call every couple of years to swap out the installation lineup. You might wander through the grass and find yourself standing next to Craig Snyder's *Drip Edge*, Mark Dyke's *Mr. Hare's Brother*, or John Banks' *Treble Clef Pirouette*, only to return a couple seasons later and find an entirely different set of steel, stone, and wood forms occupying the riverbank.
The real draw here isn't just seeing art outdoors; it's the contrast of industrial riverbank history mixed with temporary, heavy-metal artwork. Because the pieces are integrated with the park's walking paths and boat landing, the sculptures feel less like museum exhibits and more like unusual landmarks left behind along the water.
What it's like
Head west on Wyoming Street about a mile and a quarter out of downtown until you hit the river park loop. There is no gate, kiosk, or entry fee—just park, step onto the trail, and look across the grass to spot where the current installations are anchored. You will share the park with dog walkers, kayakers launching off the boat landing, and people eating lunch in the shelter structure. Bring a lunch or take the river trail loop back into town after ranking the current inventory.
The move: Pack a riverside picnic and make a game of finding every sculpture on foot, ranking your favorites as you loop back along the Clark Fork.
📍 Before you go About a mile and a quarter from downtown via Wyoming Street; free and open during park hours. The curated sculptures rotate, so the specific pieces vary by season.
- 📍 Missoula
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: Silver Park, off Wyoming St along the Clark Fork River, Missoula, MT 59801
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Throw Ceramics — Pair viewing outdoor steel and stone sculptures with a hands-on clay session just 0.3 miles away along the Milwaukee Trail.
- Missoula Outdoor Cinema — Timing your park visit for late afternoon lets you wrap up along the river right as this neighborhood outdoor film screening kicks off nearby.
- The Squashed Cat (Cattin' Around) — Keep your Missoula public art tour weird by heading 0.7 miles downtown to inspect a 1.5-ton concrete cat squashed by a parking garage.
Good to know
How much does it cost to visit Silver Park Sculpture Park?
It is completely free to enter and open during standard park hours.
How far is the park from downtown Missoula?
It is about 1.25 miles west of downtown Missoula via Wyoming Street or the Clark Fork River trail system.
Will I see the exact same sculptures every time I go?
No. The non-profit Sculpture Missoula curates the park through a national open call and rotates the large-scale works every couple of years.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: destinationmissoula.org · artsmissoula.org · Official site · artist.callforentry.org
last checked: 2026-06-24