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Great
Falls is known as the “Electric City” because of
its numerous dams and power plants. Montana's
third largest city is located on the Missouri
River among the five falls that were both a
magnificent spectacle and formidable barrier to
early river travel. This area held great
significance for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The explorers were forced to spend nearly a
month portaging around the falls in June 1805.
Much of the Missouri River in this area remains
as it was when Lewis and Clark first viewed it
over 200 years ago.
The Great Falls of the Missouri is now the site
of Ryan Dam. Arrangements can be made to use the
dam’s clubhouse facility and outdoor picnic
area. There are actually several waterfalls on
the Missouri. Crooked Falls and Rainbow Falls
remain almost in their original state and can be
viewed from River Drive just outside the city.
Black Eagle Falls can be seen from River Drive
en route to Giant Springs Heritage State Park.
 On
the bluffs above the Missouri River, the
interpretive center provides an ideal view of
terrain similar to what the Corps of Discovery
encountered along their portage of the Great
Falls of the Missouri River. The center is
convenient to the many sights of Great Falls.
Exhibits, live programs and a video provide a
comprehensive understanding of central Montana's
importance to the Corps' mission and the area's
place in history along the Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail. The center, on Giant
Springs Road, sits less than a half-mile from
Giant Springs, where Clark recorded his
discovery of June 18, 1805.
 Giant
Springs Heritage State Park is a lovely park
that preserves one of the largest natural, cold
water springs in the world. Flow from the
springs supports a state trout hatchery and also
qualifies as the shortest river in the world,
the Roe River. Enjoy a river drive, overlooks,
picnic sites and visitor center in this area.
This area of waterfalls may be viewed via an
eight-mile, paved, non-motorized pathway known
as the River's Edge Trail. It offers a unique
experience to walk, jog, rollerblade or bike
along three of the falls. There is also a paved
road with scenic turnouts where the falls can be
viewed by car.
You can find contemporary art
at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, named for
the founder of Great Falls. This beautiful
building was originally built in 1895 and
constructed from sandstone quarried near Helena.
It has an ornate interior and is designated as a
National Historic Landmark. The museum also
houses the Museum Cafe, museum gift shop and a
branch of the Montana Wilderness Association.
Great Falls was also the home of the famed
cowboy artist Charlie Russell, whose original
home and log studio are now part of the C. M.
Russell Museum Complex.
A look at our area's
homesteader and cowboy past can be found at the
Cascade County Historical Society Museum in the
High Plains Heritage Center. There you will also
find the Great Falls Geneology Society Library.
Also stop by The Cowboys' Museum, which takes a
look at what Montana was like during the days of
those unsung heroes—the cowboys, stockmen and
pioneers. The museum is housed in an authentic
log cabin with double fireplaces and hitching
posts. It is filled with Old West
relics—branding irons, rawhide ropes and, ox
yokes. More than 500 mementos are on display.
Great Falls is the site of
Malmstrom Air Force Base, the center of our
nation's first Minuteman Missile Complex. The
museum explains the history of the base, from
its role in World War II to the present.
Displays at the air park include a “Huey”
helicopter, a Stratotanker used for in-flight
refueling, a Minuteman intercontinental
ballistic missile and many aircraft used as
fighters and bombers.
Discover the magic, history
and beauty of Great Falls while on the Great
Falls Historic Trolley or Tour de Great Falls.
You'll see and hear about the Lewis & Clark
Expedition, Indians of the region, Giant Springs
State Park, C. M. Russell Museum Complex,
historic downtown Great Falls, Three waterfalls,
Paris Gibson Square, historic railroad area,
Historic Home District, churches, saloons and
other historic buildings.
Great Falls is a marketing
center with good air and highway connections.
Grand vistas can be found in every direction;
Great Falls is surrounded by mountains and
buttes on three sides, as well as vast plains to
the north. Within minutes you can be on a large
wheat farm, in a beautiful winding river gorge,
or a picturesque valley. The city, with its
Midwestern flavor, straddles the Missouri River,
which meanders toward natural falls on the
northeastern edge of town.
Take a short drive and visit
the Ulm Pishkun State Park. This historic
Buffalo Jump is thought to be the longest in the
nation. At the Visitor Center learn why and how
the Native Americans drove buffalo over the
cliffs. Enjoy an awe-inspiring 360-degree
panoramic view atop the cliffs.
Major events that draw
visitors to Great Falls are the PRCA Montana
Circuit Finals Rodeo in January, the C. M.
Russell Auction of Original Western Art in
March, the Lewis and Clark Festival in June and
the State Fair in July.
Elevation: 3,674 feet. |
