Great Falls, Montana Overview

Located along the Missouri River where the Midwest plains meet the Rocky Mountains, Great Falls is named after a series of waterfalls in and around the city. This section of the river was a historical crossing point for Lewis and Clark and is now home to several dams that provide the area with hydroelectric power. One of the world's largest freshwater springs (Great Springs Heritage State Park) also resides here along with Malmstrom Air Force Base. Explore the area and its history with a walk on the River's Edge Trail, or a trip to the C.M. Russell Museum or Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is a must-see as it has served as an education and cultural center in Great Falls for over 100 years and is now a nationally registered historical landmark, as a community center to celebrate art, history and culture. A trip to Great Falls would not be complete without stopping at theRyan Dam, a 1,366 feet long and 61 feet high dam, which was built at the crest of the Great Falls of the Missouri and began operation in 1915.