Great Falls, Montana is stoked to host the first ever IEDC Rural Retreat! We suggest making this your premiere Bleisure (Business + Leisure) Trip!
Get Your Great Falls Jersey
You saw them all through the IEDC Annual Convention in Denver last year and at the first ever rural retreat! Now, you have the opportunity to join the Great Falls, Montana team and order your Great Falls Jersey today!
You Came, You Saw, You Didn’t Quite Conquer It All
There was so much to do during the Rural Retreat that you may not have gotten everything done. Consider this your invite to come back soon. We also know many struggled, right out the gate, in getting to the Welcome Reception After Party Movies! Catch them all now!
We showed Class C: The Only Game in Town which follows five Girls Basketball Teams on their quest for the State Championship. During the Rural Retreat we went to many of these town where Basketball is cornerstone to the community’s culture. It can be viewed here, and shared with friends and family.
We screened Feisty Women of Montana, which pays tribute to five incredible Great Falls women who broke barriers, persevered, and took the reins to make things happen. This is also a great one to share with everyone you know.
The final film was Save Your.Town that detailed the Idea Friendly Method that helps you take action now, whatever your role, to make a difference in your community. This video, along with all the other valuable resources, requires a small contribution to gain access, and is completely worth it.
Great Falls is grateful to have hosted you. See ya soon, friends!
Day Hike through Sluice Boxes State Park
This park has two entrances and we recommend starting at the first (or bottom) entrance and hike through the Belt Creek crossings to the second (or top) entrance and back. The entire time you are in a limestone canyon that was once filled with mining camps. Learn more about this experience from one of our locals, Molly Pearce.
Day Hike the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex
There are many day hike options outside of Choteau and Augusta. The two we most recommend are Mount Wright and Our Lake. These are big days, so get going early if you want to tackle either of them. If you want to do both – plan a day for each hike and a stay in Choteau – it only makes sense.
Learn about our Heritage at First Peoples Buffalo Jump
Just a half hour south of Great Falls in Ulm is North America’s Largest Buffalo Jump and National Historic Site, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. Learn how 13 different tribes used this location to drive bison off a cliff to get the groceries, tools, and materials for their tribes at the Visitor Center, then hike to the top of the jump and see the panoramic views and the drive lines that made the bison stampede into one area.
Recreate on the River’s Edge Trail
Great Falls has 53 miles of trail on the banks of the Missouri River ideal for all kinds of recreation. The River’s Edge Trail has 29 art installations and our first recommendation is doing the 3.5 Urban Loop by Bird Scooter. The Urban Loop has the largest concentration of art on it and will take you on the Historic 10th Street Bridge, restored in phases through the tenacity of Arlene the bridge lady, and an old train track was converted to trail as the initial phase of the River’s Edge Trail creation.
Our second recommendation is to hike the Sulphur Spring Trail which is steeped in Lewis & Clark History. You’ll see sulphur spring, relatively untouched since Sacagawea was saved by drinking from it. The trailhead is the old townsite of Morony, about a half hour drive from Great Falls.
Our third recommendation is to hike (or bike, but you’d have to bring your own) the North Shore. The trailhead is at one of our 5 falls, Rainbow, and provides technical riding on the mayhem portion of the trail, and great river views by foot.
Our fourth recommendation is to walk from the caboose trailhead and do the Giant Springs Loop. It’s an easy walk, paved the entire way. You can take your bike, or rent a scooter to do it as well. You’ll go past another one of our 5 Falls, Black Eagle, and into Giant Springs State Park where you’ll see the World’s Shortest River, the World’s Largest Natural Spring, and North America’s Longest River all in one spot.
Enjoy Electric City Waterpark
If you are into lazily floating or the thrill of slides that twist and turn, you’ll find what you need at Electric City Waterpark. The park has three pools, the first with slides, the second for the under 5 crowd, and the third with a flowing lazy river where you can ride a tube for hours and have the current take your cares away. Concessions are available along with chaise lounges, patio chairs, and picnic tables.
Explore the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
Lewis and Clark are a big deal for our area. Yes, they are a big deal to a few other states as well, however, the Corps of Discovery spent the most time in any one location outside of winter camp here in Great Falls. It took them 31 days to portage all 5 of the falls and our Interpretive Center is North America’s most extensive collection of the Expedition.
Get to Know Famed Cowboy Artist C.M. Russell
There are few artists in the world where you can get access their work, home, and studio, and the C.M. Russell Museum Complex provides that for Charlie Russell. The museum has the largest collection of Charlie’s most intimate works of art, along with his western contemporaries. The home he shared with his wife Nancy has been restore to it’s original grandeur and showcases the opulent business side of the Russell’s as well as the modest day to day in the private areas of the home. Charlie’s log cabin studio remains relatively the same as when Charlie once occupied it.
Explore 10 MORE Museums
Great Falls is Montana’s museum capital – so you can spend a lot of time connecting to our culture, history, and art in our various museums. The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is one of the premiere modern art museums in the Pacific Northwest and has an iconic exhibit by Lee Steen – a self-taught artist who create life size stick people. The History Museum covers our military history, such as Great Falls connection to the Berlin Airlift and our Ferrying Mission in World War I. There are more, but we’d be remiss in not mentioning we have a museum, connected to a bar – The Cowboy’s Bar and Museum has a pretty cool barb wire exhibit worth checking out, with a drink in your hand.
Mermaids
Have you even been to Great Falls if you haven’t been to the Sip ‘n Dip Lounge? We think not. Make it a point to visit our mermaids – any day of the week, and if you plan just right, you’ll get serenaded by the one, the only, Joel Corda who plays each Friday and Saturday night, or, take in Mermaid Brunch on the first and third Sunday of the month.
Shop!
Great Falls is home to Montana’s Largest Specialty Dry Good Store, Dragonfly. Clothing for men, women and children, shoes, home goods, gifts, jewelry, Made in Montana products, stickers, and other Great Falls souvenirs are just some of the treasures you’ll find inside, curated by Alison, the owner.
The Blue Rose has some of our high fashion, women’s clothing, some men’s, a few home items, jewelry, shoes and handbags. Tracy features a few artists that originate from Great Falls, but live elsewhere now with her inventory.
Enjoy Great Falls’ premiere kitchen store, Pizazz. Veronica and her team have an ever evolving inventory of kitchen items, but also, seasonings, oils, vinegars, grab and go food and wine!
GRAE + Co has modern fashion for men and women, that owner, Erica, hand picks, along with a great selection of items that support causes, such as the BRACHA jewlery line, where portions of sales go to fight human trafficking.
Hometana has more Made in Montana products, made by the owner, Shirstie, and features other Montana creators. The store’s mascot, a dog named Griffin, is sure to greet you.
5th and Wine has a retail store that offers you an immense selection of wine, including some made in Montana. Tara and her family also run the restaurant, which is a great place to dine.
Kaufman’s Menswear Centre is owned by the 4th generation of Kaufman, Brian. Visit with him about the founding of the store that traces back to a wagon off a steamboat in Fort Benton. This is a modern clothing store for men, but you’ll find a few things for the ladies too. This is the perfect place to get a suit, and get it tailored to fit you perfectly!
Need comfortable walking shoes or outdoor gear, like bear spray, or a day pack to carry items, weather at the retreat or on your day hikes, Bighorn Outdoor Specialists is where you want to be. Beth and Chris and their team are going to get you what you need, including maps for your outdoor adventures!
Want a different kind of outdoor gear, check out Hoglund’s Western Wear. Mike and his staff will be able to outfit you in a new cowboy hat, shaped to fit your head, boots and any other western duds you desire on their three floors of inventory. They have a great selection of world famous Yogo Sapphire’s and Montana Silversmith jewelry.
If you knit or not, you’ll want to stop into The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers. Owned by Candace, she features the yarn she and her husband make as well as amazing gift items that feature indigenous artists and women from across the globe.
Of course there are more small businesses, with tenacious owners, to experience while in Great Falls and more stories to share about how they got their start and the products they offer.
A Trip to Glacier National Park
You’re 2.5 hours away from the East entrance to Glacier National Park when you’re in Great Falls. There is only one road through the park, Going to the Sun Road, and the east to west route is the most dramatic views. Hiking throughout the park is pristine. Here are some options on the east side for you to consider, from our local hiking guru, Eric Heidle. We recommend a minimum of a 1.5 days for this trip, but be safe and plan two whole days to recreate in Glacier National Park.
A Trip to Yellowstone National Park
Yes, it’s in Wyoming, but you are only 3.5 hours from the North entrance to Yellowstone National Park, which is Gardiner, Montana! The drive from Great Falls, through Kings Hill Scenic Byway to Livingston is a feast for the eyes! We recommend a minimum of 2 days in the park.