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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. |
