Great Pizza in Great Falls, Montana

Hiking is one of the best ways to get fresh air, rejuvenate your soul and take in the beauty of nature. Great Falls, is home to many beautiful hiking trails that range from easy to advanced and everything in between. For those looking for any chance to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, here are five fun hiking trails near Great Falls, Montana. South Shore Trail South Shore Trail is located in a beautiful area and receives a moderate hiking rating. The trails are well-maintained, and the views go on for days. With an overall distance of 10.4 miles, this is a relatively long workout, but well worth it. Once you get to the top, you will enjoy beautiful views of the Missouri River and pictures to last a lifetime. more Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge The Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is extremely well-maintained. If you are an animal lover, this trail is for you as it goes directly through a natural wetland filled with numerous water birds. You will get to see ducks, Canadian geese, snow geese, swans, and shorebirds along your hike as well. Giant Springs State Park Giant Springs State Park is a Montana State Park that has many remarkable features. This pet-friendly park is located along the Missouri River and boasts views of the Rainbow Falls overlook. Enjoy an array of sites to look at and take in at this fantastic park, including both the river and trees along the trail. Hike over to the Ryan Dam and the Great Falls of the Missouri River to examine the wildlife and the different types of birds that live here. First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is located in Ulm, Montana, and is one of the country's largest buffalo jump sites. While on your hike you can stop and check out the visitor center and take in some history. Both provide details of the fantastic journey of the people and animals that used to live here. There are high cliffs, wide open skies, and open fields that offer amazing views. The sunsets and sunrises are breathtaking. River's Edge Trail River's Edge Trail is located right here in Great Falls and is a grand park. The entire trail is almost 60 miles on both sides of the Missouri River with amazing views of the mountains, river canyons, waterfalls, and expansive prairies. The Trail has 18 public art pieces, access to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and a free telescope providing you even better views of the natural environment. Taking a hike is a perfect way to escape the chaos of life. You can get in some exercise while spending quality time alone or with family and friends. With so many amazing trails located in and around Great Falls, there is no shortage of opportunities to get out, breathe in the fresh air, and experience the beauty of nature. From animals to water, landscapes and more, the hiking trails around Great Falls, Montana, will not disappoint. Image by vastateparkstaff via CC BY 2.0

Electric cars like the Nissan Leaf are becoming more popular every day, but there are still plenty of people out there that are hesitant to make the switch due to the pre-conceived notion that they're not practical for trips longer than a drive to and from work. While that was certainly a valid concern in the early days of the electric vehicle, modern electric cars are more capable than ever before. In fact, cars like the Nissan Leaf may be even better for long trips than their combustion engine counterparts. more More Miles per Charge At the beginning of the electric vehicle's life, maximum range was limited to about 80 miles on a single charge, on the high end. Most mass-produced vehicles were closer to only 60 miles or so. This problem was only made worse by the fact that, in most cases, the only available charging options were expensive charge ports installed in the home of the vehicle's owner. The Nissan Leaf, however, is capable of traveling over 150 miles on one charge. That's more than twice the range that was previously available. But is it enough to justify a long road trip? Easy Access to Public Charging Nissan has an extensive, ever-expanding network of public charging stations all over the United States. When you buy a new Leaf, you'll be given two years of free charging at these stations but, even if you don't have free access, topping off at a Nissan charging point is still less expensive than filling up a tank of gas. Due to the large number of stations available, you're likely never very far from one, so there's little need to worry about running out of juice when you're not close to home. As an added convenience, the car's onboard connected system will help you easily locate and navigate to the nearest charging station whenever you need. High-Tech Features for a High-Tech Ride The Nissan Leaf's high-end technology isn't limited to its superior range and charging capacity. Connected onboard systems provide access to support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, providing you with instant access to your favorite mobile apps through the car's touch-screen interface. The car's companion app also provides on-demand access to important information like the current charge level, door locks, and even climate control. A Car That Tattles When Something's Not Right One of the coolest features that the Leaf offers is the ability to receive customized alerts when something out of the ordinary happens. This is ideal on a road trip with multiple drivers. You can set the car to tell you when a driver exceeds the speed limit, when a valet drives the car outside of a specific radius, or when your teenage driver takes the car out of town without permission. Curfew alerts can also let you know when somebody's driving the car when they're not supposed to. The Nissan Leaf is a much more practical vehicle than you might expect. If you haven't checked one out yet, stop by a local Nissan dealership and take one out for a test drive. Image by Autoviva, Licensed via CC BY 2.0

Going-to-the-Sun Road Looking for a scenic drive this weekend? Then head to Glacier National Park and hop on Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most famous scenic drives in the nation. Going-to-the-Sun Road is a 52-mile highway that winds through Glacier and gives you a spectacular view of the mountain slopes, snowcapped peaks, and shimmering lakes. This drive is perfect for a weekend getaway that will allow you to see the best of Montana. more Highline Trail Montana is famous for its glaciers, and you can hike in the footprints of these natural marvels. The Highline Trail is an 11.4-mile hike that climbs parallel to the Garden Wall along Logan Pass. This hike will take you through alpine meadows, beside streams and creeks, past avalanche chutes, and within view of a wide variety of wild animals. This hike may push you as the trail becomes steep at times, especially as you travel over the saddle separating Haystack Butte and Mt. Gould. The views, though, are worth the effort. You can start the Highline Trail across from the Logan Pass Visitor Center Parking Lot, or you can start at the Loop, which will give you a more uphill hike that will take you up to Logan Pass. Swan River Nature Trail Maybe a hike on Highline is a bit daunting after a long week's work. But what about a nice, flat trail for a leisurely bike ride or an afternoon walk? The Swan River Nature Trail starts at Grand Drive in Bigfork and takes you along the gentle Swan River, through the trees, and against the magnificent mountainside. Take a break along the side of the trail for an afternoon picnic. Glacier Raft Company If you're feeling particularly adventurous, then head to Glacier Raft Company and take to Montana's famous rivers. Located at 106 Going-to-the-Sun Road in West Glacier, Glacier Raft Company offers multiple river-rafting experiences to fit your preference. If you want a more relaxing journey down the river, opt for a scenic float, perfect for families with small children or for anyone looking for a rafting experience with less effort. Upgrade to a half-day tour and you'll enjoy the grandeur of Glacier National Park while also experiencing the exhilaration of white-water-rafting and the tour's class II and III rapids. If a half-day just isn't enough, then Glacier Raft Company also offers a full-day trip with even more breathtaking scenery and exciting rapids. When you've had a long week at work or home and just need some rejuvenation in the outdoors, these places and activities unique to Montana can scratch that itch better than anything. Just make sure that your vehicle is ready for the trip by having it serviced at Taylor's AutoMax.   Image By Pixabay @hermann