Things To Do in Great Falls, Montana, USA
I recently had a work conference in Great Falls, Montana. I make it a point to go do a few adventures anytime I travel for work, especially when it is a place that I have never been to before. I didn’t have a lot of free time, but I carved out a few hours to visit the CM Russell Museum and drive out to Black Eagle, one of the waterfalls for which Great Falls gets its name. I do have some great food recommendations as I did get to go out for lunch and dinner several different days.
Near the town of Great Falls, there are five waterfalls along a ten-mile stretch of the Missouri River. Traveling along the river west to east: Black Eagle Falls, Colter Falls (submerged), Rainbow Falls, Crooked Falls, and the Great Falls (Big Falls). It took Lewis & Clark 33 days to portage all five falls. As a 7th grade kid, I was fascinated by Lewis & Clark and read much of their journals – so visiting one of the falls was extra special.
I visited Black Eagle Falls, which are the closest to town just north of the city grid. My photos were taken from the Black Eagle Falls Dam View on the south side of the river along River Drive. But, if you have more time, you can cross the river and take North River Road to a parking area near the Black Eagle Plant Powerhouse. From there, you can cross a suspension bridge to Black Eagle Memorial Island to get more up-close views of the falls. There are also walking trails along the river on the south side of the river that go for several miles to view many of the waterfalls.
Just upstream of Black Eagle Falls along Giant Springs Road is the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center and Giant Springs State Park. I was disappointed that the interpretive center was closed on Mondays. I’ll have to come back!
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