Journeying through Central Montana is like taking a walk through the history of America.
You can start millennia before the concept of America even existed, in the prehistoric era on Montana’s Dinosaur Trail. The state is unusually blessed with fossil discoveries, and many took place in Central Montana.
Native American history is a fascinating subject to explore in the area – the First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park was used by nomadic hunters for thousands of years.
You are most likely to recognize the figures related to the relatively recent history of Central Montana. Compared to the dinosaurs, Lewis and Clark are practically modern.
These great explorers traveled through Central Montana on their famous expedition. You can follow in their footsteps on the National Historic Trail, visit the places they stayed, or learn more about them at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls.
Central Montana is wedged between Yellowstone to the south and the Glacier National Park to the west. It is often used as a stopping point for people traveling between them.
But the region is beautiful in its own right, with sweeping plains, winding rivers, and vast forests. This is a region that feels completely authentic; you really see the true Montana in its most remote corners.
The Best Hotels in Central Montana
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Central Montana Stats and Facts
- Central Montana is the largest tourist region in the state, occupying millions of acres of land.
- Bear Paw Battlefield is located in Central Montana. It is the site of the final engagement of the Nez Perce War of 1877, where Chief Joseph declared “I will fight no more forever.”
- There are 13 different counties in Central Montana. Including Pondera County, Teton County, Choteau County, and Cascade County.
- Great Falls is the largest city in Central Montana and the third largest in Montana. It is famously known as ‘The Electric City’ due to its five hydroelectric dams.
Notable Towns, Cities & Areas in Central Montana
Great Falls
Great Falls is the third-largest city in all of Montana, and the largest in Central Montana, with a population of almost 60,000 in 2019.
It’s the cultural hub of the region, with a great selection of museums and art galleries, and is home to some of the best breweries in Montana.
Great Falls is famous for its position along the Missouri River and is named for the series of five waterfalls – the largest of which is Great Falls – located either on the Missouri River as it meanders through the city or nearby.
It’s also known as ‘The Electric City’, as the power of the falls is harvested w