Falling for Great Falls

Exploring the greatest town in Montana.

Great Falls, Montana, located in Cascade County, is flowing with more than just water from the Missouri. Beyond Great Falls’ five notable waterfall’s—including the one for which they are named: The Great Falls—the city is rich with history and outdoor opportunity. The town is currently Montana’s 3rd most populated, although residents happen to wear the number "2" on their license plates, and is also brimming with a bustling community and a booming town experience. Within the city limits, there are over ten museums, containing a variety of exhibits with topics from historical to modern. On the other side of things, there are multiple state parks just a short drive away and plenty of outdoor activities to enhance your visit to this part of the state.

State Parks and Outdoor Attractions
The River’s Edge Trail is one of the best ways to experience the Great Falls area. The 50-plus mile trail system follows the banks of the Missouri River as it comes in and out of town. The trail is paved in some parts and gravel in others, so you can bike, walk or run along the riverfront to get around. This’ll give you a chance to see the "Mighty Mo," as well as town from all angles.

The history of the people in the Great Falls area goes back thousands of years. We can get a small glimpse of the land’s first inhabitants at the First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. The park contains what’s thought to be the largest buffalo jump in North America.

Modernly, The Great Falls as it currently stands, is actually the town’s largest and most productive hydroelectric dam. Viewing it is both a look at contemporary engineering and the great power the Missouri River is capable of. One can’t help but imagine being in Lewis and Clark’s shoes as they first saw the falls and planned their portage around it. Find the best viewing area at Ryan Island Park.

Though not quite as massive as the Missouri, Giant Springs State Park and Trout Hatchery is still impressive in its own right. The park contains a huge natural spring that flows at a rate of over 150 million gallons per day! And, recreation can be found here year round, since the water always comes out at around 54-degrees Fahrenheit.

Truly one of Montana’s most impressive and diverse state parks when it comes to recreation opportunities, Sluice Box State Park is worth the visit. Here you can find floatable rivers, fishable streams, and hiking trails in every direction. There’s also old mining ruins and old train rail lines from a history of prospecting.

Museums
When in Rome… or in the case of Great Falls, you’re going to be seeing a lot about Lewis and Clark. Embrace the call by paying a visit to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Here you discover educational displays and scenic overlooks to put things in perspective as Lewis and Clark must have seen the landscape.

Other Nearby Recreation
On your way into town, if you’re heading from Bozeman, you’ll be following the Missouri River nearly all the way starting at the Headwaters. After Helena, once you hop on I-15, make some time to pull off and drop in a line. The fishing near Craig is great and worth a stop.

On your way back home, mix things up by heading straight south through the Little Belt Mountains. There are lots of hiking and exploration opportunities in this lesser-known Montana mountain range. Don’t let the name fool you, though, these are some hardy and lively mountains, home to Showdown Ski Area; so be sure to bring some good hiking boots. By the time you make it back to Bozeman, you'll be thoroughly beat from a weekend in the greatest town in Montana.