Mount Jumbo Closure Enforcement

Dear Mount Jumbo Neighbors,

We need your help. We are seeing significant numbers of people and their unleashed dogs trespassing onto Mt. Jumbo in the winter closure areas despite closure signs, closed and locked gates, extensive public outreach, and television and newspaper news coverage to remind trail users of the annual closure. We are committed to helping protect the elk herd and its natural habitat area, so the Missoula Police Department will be enforcing trespass laws in the closure areas. Please see the information below and share it with your neighbors as we work to stop these trespass instances.

Seasonal Closure Enforcement on Mount Jumbo

Missoula Police Department and Missoula Parks & Recreation are reminding the public that most of Mount Jumbo remains closed to recreational use during the winter months. The majority of the 1,600-acre mountain is closed from Dec. 1 to March 15, with the northern 650 acres are closed from Dec. 1 to May 1 to protect the resident elk herd and other wildlife.

Although we have not had much snow this year, the winter closure areas remain closed for the following reasons:

We need to prevent the elk from becoming habituated to people. Not having a fear of people could cause them to filter into nearby neighborhoods.
The fear of people and unleashed dogs in their habitat area could cause them to abandon the area as their winter range. The place they relocate to may not be able to sustain them during a harsh winter. This could result in the loss of the entire herd.

Trespassing in closed wildlife areas is a violation of Missoula Municipal Code 12.40 and may result in a citation and fines of up to $500. Missoula Police officers will be monitoring the area and issuing trespass citations when necessary to support wildlife protection efforts.

Two trails on Mount Jumbo remain open year-round, including the U.S. West Road above I-90 and the lower L Trail up to the L, both are accessible from the Cherry Street Trailhead. Dogs must remain leashed where trails are open.

If you observe someone actively trespassing into closed areas of the mountain, call 911.

If you have information about individuals who have been trespassing this year, please call the temporary Mount Jumbo Tip Line: (406) 552-9465.

When calling, please provide a description of the individual involved and, if available, vehicle information including license plate number.

Missoula Police Department, Missoula Parks & Recreation, and our partnering land management agencies who manage the Mt. Jumbo Wildlife Management Area appreciate the community’s cooperation to protect Mount Jumbo’s wildlife and preserve a unique Missoula amenity.

For maps and additional information about seasonal closures, visit:
www.ci.missoula.mt.us/206/Conservation-Lands-Closures.