smokejumpers visitor center

Looks like it was put together in the 50's but really interesting and doesn't take long for the 2 rooms. PLus you ca get a tour...

Loved seeing how the smokejumpers train and keep in shape and the history. Glad we took the hour out of our day. Right next to airport.

This visitor center is right next to the airport. If you have time to or from the airport I would greatly recommend it because it is not out of the way. Personally, I would not venture too far unless this is really your interest. That said, it has great exhibits and details. My favorite part was where they depicted a typical lookout. Not enough people (especially on the East Coast) get to see the incredible work Smokejumpers do and how they fight fires. They are the SEALs of fire protection.

Even though the Center was closed, the jumpers found the time to show us around. It was very interesting and my daughter loved seeing handsome tour guide who will remain nameless!

Toured the facility after viewing the museum exhibits.Located next tp MSO airport so it is a great way to spend time before a flight.Friendly staff . Small gift shop.

Shows history of firefighting and usefulness of smokejumpers, qualifications, training, equipment. Also an actual old fire lookout cabin, fully equipped.

We really enjoyed an hour at the Smokejumpers Visitor Center. In addition to the Visitor Center exhibits (which include a relocated fire lookout tower), we had a fascinating tour of the Smokejumpers' "ready room", parachute tower and packing room, and the DC-3 that carries the jumpers to fires. Our guide, Mary, was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and enlisted the services of an experienced jumper, Jake, to take us into the plane for a look at the travel and jumping process. I highly recommend this attraction to Montana visitors, as firefighting is an important activity in the northwest and western US.

I read in the AAA Tour Book about the Aerial Fire Depot and the Missoula Smokejumpers Base and Visitor Center, and it piqued my interest. We had no difficulty locating the center. There were signs on I-90 and the facility was right next to the Missoula airport. Tours are scheduled on the hour and it is free. Our tour guide, a college student and former member of the armed services, did a great job sharing information about smoke jumping with us. She welcomed questions and showed us around the Visitor Center as well as the facility where we viewed smokejumpers sewing their uniforms and folding their parachutes. Some of the tour guides are also smokejumpers, so you know they have stories to share. Well worth the time we spent there. It became obvious that smoke jumping is a passion, not just an occupation.

It was a fluke that the Smokejumpers Visitor Center caught my eye, and it is humbling and awe-inspiring. Especially as wildfires sweep through our nation, it is becoming more and more important that people understand there is research and science behind fighting fires. This tiny visitor center emphasizes the smokejumper's commitment and expertise. The exhibits include historical as well as modern technologies.

During our visit, we learned this center is the largest active smokejumper base in the world. We watched films of large forest firess, saw parachutes being refolded, saw the 200+ lb gear packs the jumpers wear, saw airplanes they jump from, viewed the sewing room where the smokejumpers make their own repairs to parachutes and other items, and learned about their day to day activities, training, scheduling, and missions. Our tour guide was a wife of one of the smokejumpers stationed there, so we had a somewhat “inside” perspective of this high risk job. It really hit home that when the jumpers are sent to a fire, obviously they cannot leave the same way they came in - most of the time they have to hike, possibly MANY miles, out with all that gear they carried in. This was a very interesting stop. Well worth the 1.5 hour we spent there. If you don't already have one, you will leave with a deep respect for those who have chosen this profession. For once, I was glad to see my tax dollars being spent for a good purpose!

We had some time to kill before a flight from MSO and this museum is right next door.We lucked out and also were in time for a 1 hour tour of the facility by a Smokejumper stationed there. Even got inside one of the planes ready for the next mission.Very interesting how they are set up to react when a fire in the forest is spotted.Museum is free but a donation is welcome .

To see the training and personal responsibility these individuals have is incredible. We were also on the tour with a group of soldiers from airborne paratroopers.. Be prepared to be humbled! Bravery is their middle name.

Such a fun and exciting spot. The sewing room and the parachute rooms are fun surprises. I learn something everytimd I go here. AlwYs something new going on.

I think this is a must see for anyone interested in learning about the smokejumpers and the intense training they go through to become smoke jumpers. They are one awesome breed!

You will learn what the word 'appreciation' means after the visit to the Smokejumpers Visitor Center. Men and Women are putting their lives on the line every time a fire call is made, and the environment is which they work is horrendous. The center gives an excellent overview!