Caras Park is the town square at the heart of Missoula — the epicenter of downtown gatherings, celebrations, and community life. But it hasn’t always been the vibrant space we know and love today.

Over the years, Caras Park has gone through many transformations — from an underwater area and an underutilized junkyard to the lively city center it is now. Learn more about the fascinating history behind Missoula’s most iconic public space and event venue.

What Happened to the Hill at Caras Park?

In the fall of 2021, the small hill on the west side of Caras Park was removed, and the area was leveled. While the hill was a cherished feature for many in the community, its removal helped make the park more accessible, less hazardous, and better suited for high-traffic events and everyday use.

Flattening the area also made way for improved infrastructure, including a walking path and enhanced development of the riverside trail. Beneath the newly installed lawn, a stormwater infiltration system was added to filter out trash, needles, and other debris before it reaches the river. This system plays a vital role in protecting the health of the Clark Fork River, as most of Downtown Missoula’s storm drains lead directly into it.

Caras Park Historical Timeline

Early 20th Century

Caras Park runs along the Clark Fork River. As stated in the North Riverside Parks and Trails Plan, the Salish and Kootenai native tribes initially lived in this area hundreds of years ago. New settlements and developments in the 1880s then brought heavy demands on the river, leveraging it for timber and farming.

Over time, the city of Missoula continued to develop and grow; however, Caras Park had yet to be conceived, as it was originally underwater, right next to the historic Wilma Theatre.

Pre-1980s

Once the Clark Fork River was diverted and the shoreline was built up, the area where Caras Park is today continued to be underutilized, serving as a dumping ground and parking lot adjacent.

1980s & 1990s

Caras Park began taking shape in the early 1980s, with the Montana Rep Riverfront Summer Theatre utilizing the area, followed by the introduction of Out to Lunch in 1986. The first Caras Park tent—a circus-style orange-and-brown structure—transformed the area. By the late ’80s, it was replaced with a blue-and-white seasonal tent.

1997 & Beyond

In 1997, the current Caras Park pavilion was installed, establishing the park as Missoula’s true city center and town square ever since. Caras Park has seen multiple upgrades in the past five years, including the Caras Terrace Project, upgraded seating and shading, a stormwater infiltration system, restroom upgrades, the Beartracks Underbridge Playground, and improved accessibility features.