Straddling the mighty Missouri River, Great Falls offers visitors a taste of the true Montana experience.
Primarily a gateway to natural wonders and outdoor adventures, Great Falls is the perfect base point for travelers who want to experience the vast untouched Big Sky landscape and learn about the transformative historic events that took place there.
The town is steeped in a rich and unique heritage influenced by famous figures of the Old West and a significant contribution to the global art scene. There are also several local landmarks and points of interest dating back to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, a turning point in the history of the nation.
Whether you want to experience authentic Montana wilderness, enjoy unrivaled fishing opportunities, or explore the bustling downtown scene, the top bed and breakfasts in Great Falls, Montana has something to offer every kind of traveler.
Travel Tips for Staying in Great Falls
Great Falls is one of Montana’s great adventure cities. It’s also home to a thriving arts community, and many of the most popular attractions in the city center around this cultural legacy. You’ll also find an extensive range of museums in the city, which have earned Great Falls the title of Montana’s museum capital.
The city is located in the north-central area of the state, in a region known as Russell Country. You can reach it via Great Falls International Airport, which is served by major airlines like Delta and United Express and boasts rental cars on the ground.
For those driving to Great Falls, the city lies on Interstate 15, 89 miles north of the capital city of Helena. There is also a bus service that runs between Butte and Great Falls, which is provided by Rimrock Stages.
Additionally, you can catch the train to Great Falls via the Amtrak Empire Builder route that runs through the city of Havre, 114 miles to the north.
You can’t visit Great Falls without viewing the landmark for which the city was named. Altogether, there are five major waterfalls to see along the Missouri River powerful enough to charge the corresponding hydroelectric dams: Black Eagle Falls, Rainbow Falls, Colter Falls, Crooked Falls, and of course, Great Falls.
Fishing in the Missouri River is a beloved Great Falls pastime for both locals and visitors. There’s no need to bring fishing gear from home as the collection of local fly shops will have everything you need. Experienced anglers are welcome to fish on their own, but you can also take part in a beginner’s class, group outing, or guided tour.
The Lewis & Clark Historic Trail Interpretive Center overlooks the Missouri River and is one of the greatest historical attractions in the city. A must for history buffs, the center boasts exhibits, films, and ranger-led lectures that educate about the journey of the Corps of Discovery in the area. There are also five walking trails and an outdoor amphitheater to explore on the grounds.
Meanwhile, fans of history and art will love the C.M. Russell Museum, built in honor of Montana’s cowboy artist Charlie Russell. The museum complex contains 15 galleries of Russell’s work as well as the original house where the artist lived and his log cabin studio.
While there’s plenty to do in Great Falls, the surrounding areas are also filled with enticing attractions that lend themselves to great day trips.
The First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is just a short drive from the city and preserves the site of a prehistoric Native American Buffalo Jump. You can also take day trips to Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Havre, and Chinook.
Trip Savvy points out that there are numerous scenic drives that you can take straight out of Great Falls. The Missouri Breaks National Back Country Byway, the Montana Scenic Loop, and the King’s Hill Scenic Byway all offer mesmerizing scenes of the Montana wilderness.
List of the Best Bed and Breakfasts in Great Falls
- Charlie Russell Manor
- The Great Falls Inn, by Riversage
- Murphy’s House Bed & Breakfast
- The Ranch at the Dearborn
- Tiger Butte Manor
- Boulder Ridge Montana
- Rivers Bend Lodge
- Lodge at Eagle Rock
1. Charlie Russell Manor – Great Falls – $
The cowboy artist Charles M. Russell is legendary in Montana, and there are several locations around Great Falls that pay tribute to his legacy. One is the Charlie Russell Manor Bed and Breakfast, which offers five bedrooms, each with private bath facilities and Egyptian cotton linens.
The manor is located in the heart of Montana and also features two shaded patios and a spacious lawn area. On the grounds, you’ll also find a lavish grand dining room, a period drawing room, a relaxing sunroom, and a den where guests can kick back and watch television.
There’s also a 900-square-foot English Ballroom with a fireplace in the mansion, ready to transport guests back to the early days of Great Falls. There are two luxurious suites available for guests looking for an opulent experience. One features a hot tub, and the other has its own fireplace and sitting room/library.
A generous breakfast is served every morning, and the manor is also a short distance from several Great Falls attractions, including the C.M. Russell Museum, the River’s Edge Trail, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, and the Missouri River.
2. The Great Falls Inn, by Riversage – Great Falls – $$
While not strictly speaking a bed and breakfast, the Great Falls Inn is a small and personable hotel that offers a hearty breakfast. Far from resembling a chain hotel, the inn boasts a selection of comfortable guest rooms that come complete with private bathrooms, air conditioning, cable TV, and a seating area.
There’s free parking available at the inn, and guests have access to an on-site fitness center. There’s a 24-hour front desk and several other useful amenities, including luggage storage, laundry facilities, and vending machines.
The Great Falls Inn is just a five-minute drive from the heart of Great Falls, and a 10-minute walk from the University of Great Falls.
The Holiday Village Mall shopping center and Great Falls International Airport are both a short distance from the inn.
3. Murphy’s House Bed & Breakfast – Great Falls – $-$$$
A friendly bed and breakfast that treats guests like family, Murphy’s House is centrally located in Great Falls. Only a short distance from attractions like the C.M. Russell Museum, Giant Springs State Park, the Great Falls of Missouri, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, the bed and breakfast is the oldest of its kind in the city.
Every morning, guests are treated to a hearty and generous breakfast of fresh eggs, bacon, sourdough pancakes, and in-season fresh fruit. There are also laundry facilities on-site and convenient guest parking.
The house itself is decorated with antiques and old-world décor that will transport guests to a simpler time. This is an ideal stop for guests looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and recharge at an authentic Montana lodge.
4. The Ranch at the Dearborn – Cascade – $
The bed and breakfast at The Ranch at the Dearborn in Cascade is the perfect getaway at the base of the Missouri River.
There are six rooms and three bathrooms available, each with its own amenities and creature comforts. The ranch’s private suite includes three meals a day, while a breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, fruit, coffee, milk, and juice is served to all guests daily.
The Ranch at Dearborn is nestled in premium trout fishing country, making it a wonderful lodging option for those who’d like to experience the Blue Ribbon Trout Fishing that the area is famous for. Cascade is only a short distance from Great Falls, and many guests stay at the ranch and then travel into Great Falls to spend the day.
Guests will have access to free Wi-Fi at the ranch, along with state-of-the-art TV screens in their rooms, and can accommodate larger bookings and meetings, which are held in the main dining room on the property.
5. Tiger Butte Manor – Stockett – $$$
Tucked away in the community of Stockett, Tiger Butte Manor offers guests the chance to indulge in a lavish escape. Initially built as a private residence, the manor now operates as one of Cascade’s premiere bed and breakfast inns.
Guests are welcomed upon arrival with a tour of the grounds and are offered complimentary refreshments between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Though the property does not allow pets, as there are already two cats and a dog that reside on the premises, guests with horses are welcome; the grounds offer ample pasture.
The manor is surrounded by a network of trails that guests are welcome to hike, and the property is located a stone’s throw from the Lewis and Clark National Forest, Kings Hill Recreational Area, and Showdown Montana Ski Area, which all offer access to mountain biking and skiing.
For those guests who feel like simply chilling out, there’s a patio on the grounds providing the perfect chance to relax.
6. Boulder Ridge Montana – Great Falls – $$$
Located just outside Great Falls, Boulder Ridge is a popular destination offering summer vacation rentals and continental bed and breakfast. With picturesque grounds, Boulder Ridge also serves as the region’s premiere wedding venue.
There are several hiking trails to explore on the premises, many of them bypassing waterfalls so characteristic of the area. Guests are welcome to relax on their patios and absorb the scenic views of the Missouri River. Of course, river recreation is also just steps away, with kayaking, fishing, floating, and canoeing all available.
Every room at Boulder Ridge offers a touch of luxury, with Egyptian cotton linen and private baths a staple. They also boast mesmerizing views of the surrounding landscape, including sweeping vistas of the river and its wildlife.
7. Rivers Bend Lodge – Cascade – $$$
The Rivers Bend Lodge is a rustic bed and breakfast ideal for guests looking for a private hideaway. The main lodge includes two rooms: the Lakota and Elk-Horn Suites. Both rooms have their own bathroom, while the communal area is available for all guests. Here, you’ll find a tranquil fireplace, music, and plenty of conversation.
On the grounds is also a large deck where guests can take in panoramic views of the Missouri River. Breakfast is served in the dining room, while additional guest rooms can be found via an exterior entrance that leads to the Osprey and Wolf Pack Suites.
Rivers Bend is located in Cascade, just minutes from Great Falls. Guests will have close access to several local points of interest, including the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, the C.M. Russell Museum, the Children’s Museum of Montana, and Giant Springs State Park.
8. Lodge at Eagle Rock – Cascade – $$$
The Lodge at Eagle Rock lies on the banks of the Missouri River. The 8,000-square-foot historic inn blends old-world charm with modern convenience against a backdrop of rugged cliffs and green wilderness.
There are eight guest rooms on the premises with enough space to accommodate 16 guests. The rooms include amenities such as flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, and two beds. The more indulgent suite also features a hot tub and lavish rain-head shower.
Fly fishing is the region’s most iconic pastime, and the lodge also offers a range of fishing packages that allow guests to experience the best of the Missouri.
Conclusion
Regardless of the kind of bed and breakfast you’re looking for, the range of lodging in Great Falls has you covered. Every property features a friendly and welcoming ambiance, peaceful grounds, and close proximity to the major attractions of Great Falls.
List the Bed and Breakfast which is most suitable for…
- Best Luxury Bed and Breakfast in Great Falls: Rivers Bend Lodge
- Best Boutique Bed and Breakfast in Great Falls: Lodge at Eagle Rock
- Best Cheap Bed and Breakfast in Great Falls: The Ranch at the Dearborn
- Best Family Bed and Breakfast in Great Falls: Tiger Butte Manor
- Best Romantic Bed and Breakfast in Great Falls: Boulder Ridge Montana