Relive the Lewis and Clark Journey in Great Falls.

One of the most extraordinary chapters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was the legendary portage around the "great falls." The mighty blue Missouri River now serves as the perfect guide for those who want to view firsthand the glorious sights that Lewis encountered in June of 1805. Many of the historic points have been preserved and now stand as important monuments to the Corps of Discovery.

For example, the city's West Bank Park features a commemorative sign detailing Lewis' famous encounter with a hostile grizzly bear. There are also heroic-sized statues of the explorers and, of course, the majestic falls themselves. The original "great falls" is now the site of Ryan Dam, which raises the water level to form a 152-foot cascade.

Crooked Falls and Rainbow Falls remain in a state very similar to what the explorers saw. Though a dam was constructed at the top of the Black Eagle Falls, most of it is still visible. These natural wonders continue to inspire the sense of awe that compelled Lewis to refer to Rainbow Falls as "one of the most beautiful objects in nature."

Giant Springs Heritage State Park
History buffs and nature lovers alike will thoroughly enjoy the natural wonders at the 218-acre Giant Springs Heritage State Park. The area features several interpretive signs detailing the expedition. Situated along the Missouri River, the park includes one of the world's largest springs, with a flow of 7.9 million gallons per hour. The 201-foot Roe River flows into the Missouri from Giant Springs and is the shortest river in the U.S.

The park is also home to a splendid trout hatchery where about 1.3 million fish are raised annually. Approximately a quarter of a million people visit Giant Springs every year.

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
The people of Great Falls are eager to share the adventure of Lewis and Clark. That's why we're pleased to announce the forthcoming Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. The 22,500-square-foot facility, scheduled to open in May 1998, will house educational exhibits detailing the famous 1804-1806 expedition. The Center will also include exhibits highlighting this area's natural history, the Plains Indian culture encountered by the Corps of Discovery and the Native American perspective of Lewis and Clark's travels.

Lewis and Clark Festival
Celebrate the journey in Great Falls at the annual Lewis and Clark Festival, July 2-5, 1998. Guided tours, children's day camps, exhibitions, cultural events, float trips and much more make for a festive Montana weekend.