People visit Great Falls for a variety of reasons, such as Glacier National Park or using the I-15. In any case, Great Falls is worth a visit as there are plenty of exciting things to do here, whether you only have a few hours or a few days to explore.
The Best Things to Do In Great Falls, MT
The Great Falls is a place you must visit. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center teaches visitors about the earliest American exploration of the area, and anybody interested in arts and culture can visit the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art or the C.M. Russell Museum.
Some of the Missouri River dams offer good picnic spots, but if you prefer to dine out, options in town include Mexican, Texan BBQ, and made-from-scratch burgers.
1. Experience Glacier National Park
A trip to Glacier National Park is a must when visiting Great Falls. The east entrance of Glacier National Park in St. Mary’s is situated in the north of Great Falls and takes two and a half hours to reach. The Crown of the Continent is a hiker’s dream, with its panoramic views and enthralling hiking trails.
Going through the Sun Route, a 52-mile road that connects one end of the park to the other is the finest way to soak in the alpine grandeur of this location. Granted, Glacier Park is quite a distance from Great Falls but is worth the visit due to its scenic views and fun activities.
2. Visit the Great “Falls” of the Missouri River
Visiting the Missouri River’s waterfalls will give you a better understanding of how Great Falls got its nickname, the Electric City.
Five hydroelectric dams at Great Falls are powered by five enormous waterfalls along the Missouri River. Black Eagle Falls, Rainbow Falls, Colter Falls, Crooked Falls, and Great Falls are the names of these five waterfalls.
Black Eagle Falls was the site of the first dam in the region. It’s a lovely little waterfall that flows over massive stones in front of the Black Eagle Dam. Black Eagle Falls is also the closest waterfall to Great Falls, making it a convenient place to visit for those short on time.
From the Black Eagle Memorial Island, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Black Eagle Falls. This place also provides a lovely promenade, picnic tables, and a public restroom.
Rainbow Falls is located at a short distance from Colter Falls, which is now mostly submerged. If you don’t want to hike to the falls, this is a nice location to stop.
The Great Falls is the tallest of the five waterfalls, as its name suggests. Ryan Dam rises majestically behind the original waterfall, generating a water stream of 148 feet. A visit to Ryan Island Park through a suspension bridge is an excellent opportunity to see the Great Falls.
The Morony Dam lies downstream of the Great Falls, while the Cochrane Dam is upstream; the water flows through Crooked Falls, Rainbow Falls, Colter Falls, and Black Eagle Falls before entering the city.
3. Check out the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Great Falls
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, overlooking the Missouri River, tells the epic story of the early 1800s, 8,000-mile Lewis and Clark Expedition. The main hall is packed with interactive displays, where you can also take a complimentary audio tour.
Visitors are also encouraged to explore the interpretative pathways available outside the center. And if time allows, you can also traverse the route that leads to the neighboring Giant Springs State Park. Visitors under the age of 15 are allowed free of cost, while groups of 20 or more are given discounted tickets.
4. Explore the River’s Edge Trail
