A Lifetime of Recreation in Montana’s Island Ranges
Think Great Falls is all alone out on the Great Plains, far away from the mountains? Look again. You can clearly see the Little Belts, Big Belts, Adel, Highwoods mountain ranges and a slew of one-of-a-kind mountainous “buttes” from town, as well as the main “Front” of the Rocky Mountains and the Scapegoat and Bob Marshall wilderness areas from the busy 10th
What to Do in State Parks Near the Basecamp
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning land in Montana, we have good news: you already do. Our state parks offer some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities under the Big Sky, and a few of our finest parks are easy to enjoy from Great Falls. Giant Springs Imagine standing on the banks of North America’s longest river and the world’s shortest river—at
Finding Our Feathered Friends | Birds Flock to Great Falls, Montana Skies, Waterways
You probably won’t find a yellow-bellied sapsucker in Montana, but tundra swans, snow geese, bald eagles, waterfowl, songbirds, and dancing sharp-tailed grouse abound if you know where and when to look. Benton Lake Wildlife Refuge Located 12 miles north of Great Falls, Benton Lake isn’t really a lake, but rather a marshy wetlands area brimming with native grasses and wildlife. Springtime is
Top Spots For Snowshoeing In the Basecamp
When the temperature drops in Great Falls, it’s time to get out and explore. Snowshoeing is an easy, low-impact way to enjoy winter, and some of the best spots are close by. Be sure to check the forecast, dress appropriately and bring extra food, water and gear to ensure a safe and enjoyable walk. Moonlight Snowshoeing at Silver Crest offers
3 Days, 3 Diverse Landscapes
I don’t get out and hike near as much as I want to – but who really does? August provided me one perfect weekend to use Great Falls as my basecamp and head out to explore North, West & East – three days, three different landscapes to view – all while relaxing with good food and modern amenities at night.
Behind the Rodeo Chutes in Montana’s Basecamp
Rodeo is as much an old west tradition as it is a modern way of life. What was a way for homesteaders to blow off steam and relax; is now a lifelong commitment of the rodeo athletes, the animals that make it possible, and their family. Today, like it was in the old west, the Rodeo gathers spectators and athletes in
Adventure | The Dead Among Us
Great Falls, as an early Basecamp for Adventure in Montana, is home to hair-raising stories from our early settlers to turn-of-the century residents. The dead among us have given Great Falls amazing stories that reverberate throughout the soul of the city even today. The following are a few stories collected from Great Falls historians that are presented every year in
Autumn in Montana’s Basecamp for Art & Adventure
Natural beauty, rugged landscape, and breathtaking views make Great Falls the perfect autumn destination. The Great Falls, so named by Meriweather Lewis, are more than 80 feet high, giving visitors to the Ryan Dam a view that was described by Lewis as “…the grandest sight I ever beheld…” Despite dams being built on all 5 of Great Falls’ falls (beginning in 1890 and ending in
Great Falls Adventure | Rock Hounding
A Rock Hound is an amateur rock, mineral, and petrified wood collector; this hobby has been around for over 100 years and in that time, has grown to include hobbyists young and old. As Montana's basecamp for Art & Adventure, Great Falls offers many ways to immerse yourself in rock hounding. For anyone interested in looking at river rocks, finding gems
History Comes Alive in Great Falls
The Waking the Dead tour highlights the history and legacy of Great Falls, and the people that built Great Falls. The tours, in honor of Paris Gibson, are a unique part of what makes Great Falls Montana's basecamp for art & adventure, and a preferred destination for history buffs. Every story is painstakingly researched for authenticity and accuracy to ensure each