Visit the Smokejumper Visitor Center in Missoula, Montana

If you come to Missoula, one place you shouldn't miss is the Smokejumper Visitor Center in Missoula, Montana. Smokejumpers are an elite type of firefighter who parachute into remote areas to fight forest and wildfires. These men and women risk their lives to save lives and property to combat some of the most dangerous and extreme fires.

The smokejumper center in Missoula is the largest active smokejumper center with over 90 smokejumpers stationed there. These smokejumpers risk their lives to combat fires in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and in other parts of the country. Admission to the visitor center and the tour is free, but there are donation boxes and a gift shop to help the center and families of smokejumpers.

What You'll See

The visitor center and facility give you a fascinating glimpse into the world of the smokejumper. Inside the visitor's center you'll see the gear smokejumpers use and what a fully outfitted smokejumper has to carry. Smokejumpers are required to jump with 80 pounds of gear and must be strong enough to pack out 110 pounds of gear. The physical, educational and training requirements are very stringent - the smokejumpers have many applicants but very few are chosen to join this elite group of firefighters.

You'll learn the type of equipment the firefighters use and see the actual ready room and smokejumper loft where the smokejumpers prepare for their drops. You'll see where the parachutes and other equipment are packed and the loading equipment used to get the gear on the planes for jumps. If you're lucky, you'll be able to see the planes there too.

Inside the visitors' center, you'll be able to see what a 1930s fire lookout post was like. You can also visit the National Smokejumper Memorial. There's a small gift shop where you can pick up books and mementoes of your visit.

Tours

In the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day, tours run on the hour from 10 am to the last tour at 4 pm. The tours take a little under one hour. You must make reservations for large groups or between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Call two days ahead.

Contact Info:

Smokejumper Visitor Center

Aerial Fire Depot
Missoula, MT 59808

Phone: 406-329-4934
Alternate Phone: 406-329-4972
Fax: 406-329-4955

Website: http://www.smokejumpers.com

Mailing Address:
5765 West Broadway
Missoula, MT 59808

References

Smokejumper Visitor Center

National Smokejumper Association