When
Where
Departing from Missoula, Montana, students will bike 60 miles down “The Bitterroot,” a valley known for its striking peaks, abundant recreation opportunities, enduring Indigenous history, and rich agricultural tradition. Fun fact: This is where the TV show “Yellowstone” was filmed!
Along the way, we will:
- Visit public lands, regenerative ranches, and energy sites while meeting with conservation leaders, activists, and experts focused on pressing environmental topics
- Tour the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge
- Hike through Blodgett Canyon, just on the edge of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, and camp beneath towering granite walls
In the final days of the course, we will stay in University of Montana residence halls, eat at the campus dining hall, and attend class on campus. The course ends with students giving a final presentation of their work to an audience at UM’s Davidson Honors College.
Semester Credits
2 College Credits
Academic Credit:
All courses offered through the Wild Rockies Field Institute are accredited through the University of Montana. Each Wild Rockies Field Institute course is approved and supported by University of Montana departmental leadership and faculty.
The “Biking the Bitterroot” course offers pre-college students 2 college semester credits for successfully completing the program.
Quarter System Students:
For colleges and universities on the quarter system, a 2-credit semester course is typically worth 3 quarter system units.
Block System Students:
At institutions where one course is equal to one credit, each class (e.g. ENST 191) within a WRFI course is typically equal to one credit.
Davidson Honors College Partnership:
WRFI’s on-campus partner for the Montana Field Experience is the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana, affectionately known as “the DHC.” The DHC focuses on curricular and co-curricular experiences, which include small class sizes, personalized experiential learning, interdisciplinary education, and a strong foundation focused on academic, civic, and personal engagement. These aspects make a partnership between WRFI and the DHC a natural fit; as such, students who take courses in the Montana Field Experience are eligible to apply those credits towards their DHC requirements at the discretion of the Director of Student Engagement once they matriculate at University of Montana.
What you’ll experience
Sustainability in Action
Visit farms, ranches, forests, businesses, and organizations working on real-world sustainability challenges.
Food & Agriculture
Explore organic agriculture, regenerative ranching, food systems, and the relationship between people and the land.
Energy & Climate
Investigate how communities are responding to changing energy needs and environmental challenges.
Outdoor Skills & Bike Touring
Learn bike mechanics, touring techniques, Leave No Trace principles, camping skills, and outdoor leadership.
College Experience
Earn 2 University of Montana college credits while experiencing college-level field education.
What you’ll learn
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
Think critically about sustainability
Develop your own understanding of what sustainability means and how it applies to real communities.
Analyze complex problems
Explore environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability.
Conduct field research
Gather observations, ask questions, engage with community members, and analyze what you encounter.
Travel independently and responsibly
Develop practical skills in bike touring, outdoor safety, navigation, camping, and Leave No Trace.
Communicate your ideas
Synthesize what you’ve learned and present your work to a public audience.
Is this for me?
This course is a good fit if you…
✓ Want to earn college credit before graduating high school
✓ Love being outside and want to explore Montana
✓ Are curious about environmental and social issues
✓ Want to experience college-level learning
✓ Are interested in sustainability, agriculture, climate, or conservation
✓ Want to challenge yourself physically and academically
✓ Don’t mind getting dirty, sweaty, wet, or tired
You don’t need to be an expert cyclist. No previous bike touring or backcountry experience is required. What matters most is curiosity, willingness to learn, and a readiness for an active outdoor experience.
