More than 156 million gallons of water each day: Giant Springs is one of the largest freshwater springs in Cascade County. The spring is an impressive introduction to the region’s natural attractions. At Giant Springs State Park, activities include hiking and biking, as well as picnicking, photography, fishing, hunting, boating and birdwatching. Some activities may be seasonal; check park notices before your visit.
River History and Waterfalls
The Great Falls are now 148 feet, or 45 meters, high because of the dam. Water flow and visual impact change seasonally. The waterfalls are also at the center of an important expedition story: the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center explains the expedition’s portage around the five great waterfalls of the Missouri River. The center also offers a ranger-led program; confirm current program information before your trip. A short path connects the center with neighboring Giant Springs State Park. Check the path’s current condition before your visit.
Tower Rock State Park offers another perspective on history. There, a 424-foot-tall igneous rock formation stands beside a stretch of the Missouri River. Tower Rock served as a landmark for both Indigenous peoples and the Corps of Discovery. Geology and history come together here in a distinctive landscape feature.
Archaeology and Landscape Along Belt Creek
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is a National Historic Landmark and an archaeological site. The bison jump there is believed to be possibly the largest in North America; this qualification is part of its significance. For a different nature experience, visit Sluice Boxes State Park. High cliffs and steep rock outcrops define the Belt Creek Canyon, which runs through the Little Belt Mountains and winds toward Belt.
A primitive, unmaintained trail in Sluice Boxes State Park provides access to fishing, challenging whitewater trips and wildlife viewing. Whether access is possible depends on water levels, trail conditions and safety notices. Check these conditions before your visit. The area’s history is also tangible: the Albright Historic District in the park is associated with a limestone quarry in the Belt Creek Valley that began operating in 1894.
Art and History in Great Falls
In Great Falls, discover Western art alongside regional and institutional history. The C.M. Russell Museum features more than 3,000 works of Western art. The original Russell House and Studio is a National Historic Landmark. Paris Gibson Square serves as an educational and cultural center for Cascade County and the surrounding rural communities. Its galleries offer year-round exhibitions with free public access; check what’s currently on view before your visit.
The History Museum features exhibitions on the history of North Central Montana. It is housed in the historic International Harvester Co. & Implement Dealership building on Machinery Row. A free program at 1 p.m. is also offered; check the museum’s schedule before your trip. Montana ExpoPark is also in Great Falls: the 133-acre site is located just off Interstate 15.
Market Dates and Regional Connections
If you’d like to include local produce and market life in your trip plans, consider the seasonal Great Falls Farmers' Market. It takes place every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Great Falls, from the first Saturday in June through the last Saturday in September. Since seasonal dates and hours may change, check the details before your visit. Another point of regional interest is Cascade County’s participation in the cooperative partnership that gave rise to the River's Edge Trail.
Discover more destinations: Great Falls, Vaughn, Monarch, Stillwater County, Madison County, Flathead, Sweet Grass, Lewis And Clark.
For the main travel overview: Montana.
