Missoula National Forest was established as the Missoula Forest Reserve by the U.S. Forest Service in Montana on November 6, 1906, with a total area of 194430acres. It became a National Forest on March 4, 1907. On July 1, 1908, Missoula received a portion of Hell Gate National Forest. On December 16, 1931, the entire forest was divided between Lolo National Forest and Deerlodge National Forest and the name was discontinued.