Missoula property owner sued over disc golf course, camping operation

An apparent neighborly feud between two landowners west of Missoula spurred a lawsuit recently over one of the neighbor's disc golf courses, people camping and vehicle traffic.

The lawsuit, filed on Feb. 17, argues the growing recreation uses on Brad Isbell's property violates the area's zoning and a conservation easement over the land, which does not allow commercial development.

Isbell told the Missoulian on Thursday he has allowed youth programming in the area for 20 years, and recently opened a disc golf course.

He said the new owners of the adjacent properties want to close the recreation access, and referred the Missoulian to a past statement he made in December about the dispute.

"This is a case of life-long Missoulians being challenged by out-of-state newcomers who are attempting to stop them from using their private property to benefit youth, church, school, university, and other organizations," Isbell wrote to Missoula County in December.

Missoula County is also named in the lawsuit, as the Missoula County Board of Adjustment sided with Isbell, allowing him to continue his operations, during an administrative appeal from the neighbors in December 2025.

Lawyers for the neighbors argue the recreational uses of the property are not allowed.

"Brad Isbell, in advertising and accepting payment for the use of Tract 3 for disc golf and other events open to the public, including parking and camping, is conducting commercial activities on (the land)," the lawsuit reads.

The property owner who filed the lawsuit is unnamed, but operates under the company Arrowleaf Gulch LLC. The owners of Arrowleaf Gulch LLC are listed as Ken Stanley and Christine Kircher in the Board of Adjustment hearing agenda.

Arrowleaf Gulch LLC's property's tax bill has a mailing address to a home in Houston, Texas.

The disputed area sits in the Deep Creek drainage west of Missoula and was previously owned by one family, who secured a conservation easement from Missoula County in 1980, according to state property tax records.

At some point, the family sold tracts of land to different landowners, including Isbell, who said he owns approximately 700 acres of the drainage.

Arrowleaf owns several properties on the east side, while Isbell owns the properties on the west, which requires access through Arrowleaf's property via Gilman Creek road.

The suit alleges that in 2025, Isbell applied for a land use permit for a proposed disc golf course and summer camp outdoor retreat, including spaces for parking, camping, small shelter structures and other activities.

Missoula County approved the plans, and eight days later Isbell hosted a professional disc golfing competition, called the Gilman Gauntlet. According to disc golfing website UDisc.com, the site has 18 holes and five different layouts.

"This is woods disc golf at its best," the course description reads. "The fairways are thoughtfully shaped and the greens are appointed with the best baskets in the game. The Gauntlet provides disc golfers the opportunity to compete at the highest level in a setting that is sure to become a highlight in western Montana disc golf for years to come."

Multiple youth groups like the Missoula YMCA and the Boy Scouts of America also use the property, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit argues the conservation easement on the property only allows agricultural and limited residential uses, like home-building sites for the previous landowner's family.

The suit asks that the court enforce the conservation easement, bar Isbell from conducting commercial activities on his property, and reverse the previous county approval to allow the recreation uses.

Arrowleaf LLC is represented by law firm Parsons, Bell & Latimer, who did not immediately return a request from the Missoulian for comment.

On April 9, Missoula County Civil Attorney John Hart told commissioners the county will fight the case in court. County Commissioner Josh Slotnick said the land use issue is not new.

"I am sad that this has come, this is a very longstanding neighbor v. neighbor conflict," Slotnick said during a meeting Thursday.

Isbell previously made headlines in Missoula for purchasing and preserving a 75-acre property in Grass Valley that was planned for a subdivision in 2016.

Isbell told the Missoulian on Thursday he still plans to hold youth programming on his property, including a free youth disc golfing event on May 23, featuring free disc golfing gear.

The case will be heard by Missoula County District Court Judge Shane Vannatta. No hearing date had been set for the case as of Thursday.