CNN travel | There’s world-class wilderness in every direction, but Missoula is far more than a gateway

(CNN) — The American West is full of towns that serve as gateways into the natural world. Launching points, if you will, that sit on the edge of the wilderness and offer the infamous three Bs — a beer, a burger and a bed — to those seeking refuge.

But Missoula, Montana, is way more than a launching pad. Better to call it a basecamp, as one young college student working in a coffee shop put it, with plenty to do and see before you set out on your next outdoor adventure.

Because Missoula is so remote, people often think there’s no diversity or culture, he explained, and they don’t realize how much is going on here until they come and see for themselves. –read more–