Best Buys
May 8, 2019

Great Falls, Montana, is named after the largest of five waterfalls that make up a small part of the Missouri River Basin. Read below to see some of the best outdoors things to do in Great Falls.

The Falls

Great Falls first became known to the United States during the Lewis and Clark expedition of the Louisiana Purchase territory in 1805. Each of them offers breathtaking views of carved out mountainside, forests, grasslands, and running water. From different access points a little off the beaten path, visitors can walk along trails that will take them by each of the waterfalls, as well as the dams that help power the state.

This landmark has been a major spot of exploration for the past 160 years. The view from the top of the Great Falls of the entire region is amazing. The Ryan Dam, which generates power from the Great Falls, is a testament to human ingenuity. Rainbow Falls produces a vibrant display in its 50-foot cascade. Black Eagle Falls has a park that offers a great view of the convergence of the Missouri River with the Sun River. The amount of sightseeing and exploring in this area seems nearly endless. 

For more information on all of the waterfalls and dams that make up this attraction, check out their website.

Giant Springs State Park

Giant Springs also became part of Lewis and Clark’s expedition and is home to one of the country’s largest freshwater basins. It has a flow rate of 156 million gallons of water per day, which keeps the water clean and steady at a crisp 54 degrees. The area around the park is very popular and includes the Great Falls, river outlooks, a fish hatchery, and the city.

There are over 20 miles of trails to be explored within the 4,600 acres of front and backcountry at Great Springs. Visitors will often picnic, hold group functions, go hiking, take one of the tours, fish, hunt, or watch the birds. There are special events and activities for children as well. Giant Springs State Park is loaded with things to do and amazing scenic views. For more information on park activities, amenities, and events, go to their official website run by the State of Montana.

Malmstrom Museum and Air Park

Located just through the gate of the Malmstrom Air Force Base on the east side of Great Falls, this museum chronicles the United States’ air power and missile capabilities from World War II through the Cold War with the Soviet Union, and down to today. There are a large number of military vehicles, aircraft, weapons systems, and missile silos on display to the public for free.

The Malmstrom Museum and Air Park is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are special tours that can be arranged by contacting their commercial office at 406-731-2705.

Between the parks, waterfalls, and other outdoor activities in Great Falls, there are hours of fun to be had by people of all ages and walks of life. The next time you’re thinking about going outside for the day, try out one of these activities.

Image by JoshuaDavisPhotography via cc by-sa 2.0