Great Falls, Montana: The Ultimate Hidden Gem for Outdoor Adventure

Tucked away in the heart of Montana, Great Falls is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream – without the crowds. From winding riverside trails and scenic mountain hikes to prime fishing spots and hidden waterfalls, this city is a best-kept secret for adventure. Whether you're lacing up your hiking boots, casting a line in the Missouri, or paddling through picturesque waters, Great Falls delivers unparalleled access to nature just minutes from downtown. Ready to explore? Amy Grisak shows you were to start (don’t miss her incredible tips!) 

Hiking

North Shore Trailhead

The Rivers Edge Trail of Great Falls offers 60 miles of paved and dirt trails along the Missouri River and surrounding prairie for hikers and bikers of all skill levels. While most of the trail conveniently runs through the heart of town, the North Shore Trail section is perfect for a nearby adventure just a short jaunt outside of town.

To find the trailhead, travel north on Hwy 87 (the Havre Hwy) and turn right on Morony Dam Road. It's roughly seven miles along this road before you reach a fork. 

Veer right and travel another mile to the parking area, which is well-marked on the left side of the road. There is a vault toilet available, but no water. 

🥾Local’s Tip:

Barely a tenth of a mile past the trailhead, you'll find a fascinating stone structure built to house explosives during the dam's construction. This is a fun place for photos, but be wary of snakes during the warm months. 

The trail forks, with the outside trail offering beautiful views of the river and the interior trail closer to the hoodoos, unique geological formations caused by wind and water erosion. The trail reaches a junction where you can loop back around to the trailhead via a stroll through the prairie, or you can continue to the Morony Dam Trailhead, passing dry waterfalls and several bays of the river. 

If you’re looking for a longer outing, head south towards Rainbow Dam. If you park a car at that trailhead, it’s eight miles past interesting rock formations and beautiful prairie from the North Shore Trailhead to the parking area at Rainbow Dam. 

Sulphur Springs

This is an easy 3.6-mile round trip out and back hike that takes you to Sulphur Springs, also called Sacajawea Springs, because of its connection to this famous guide. During the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Sacajawea was critically ill during their portage around Great Falls, despite "modern" treatments such as bleeding her and giving her salts and opium. Natural, mineral-laden warm springs were known for their healing properties by indigenous people, so when the party reached the spring, she drank the water and was soon well. Please do not follow Sacajawea's actions, though, as high contaminant levels in the spring will most likely make you ill. 

Begin the hike at the Morony Dam Trailhead. This is a good hike on cool, dry days. Watch for rattlesnakes in warm weather. 

Highwood Mountains

Less than an hour from Great Falls, the Highwood Mountains offers ample hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities. The road is notoriously rough, and a high clearance vehicle is the best option to reach the destination. 

While there are a number of hikes, two favorites include the eight-mile long Windy Mountain Loop, which begins and ends at Thain Creek Campground, but is known for its wildflowers and stunning views.

Another loop is the Center Ridge Trail #415 that connects with the North Fork of Highwood Creek Trail #423. The entire loop is eight-miles long with over 1400-feet elevation gain, mostly in the first three-miles, with a payoff of knockout vistas and a bounty of flowers, especially arrowleaf balsamroot, along the ridges. If you go counter clockwise, you’ll reach this pretty section faster.

After passing the old Highwood Guard Station and continuing less than a mile, you’ll notice a sign directing you to North Fork Highwood Creek. Take a right at this fork. It’s roughly another half-mile back to the large parking area. There is plenty of room for horse trailers, plus there is a vault toilet. Dispersed camping is permitted throughout this area.

Rogers Pass

If you don’t have a 4WD vehicle to reach many of these areas, you can reach the trailheads at Rogers Pass off of Hwy 200. The trail that runs through Rogers Pass is the renowned Continental Divide Trail, as well as the newly organized Montana Trail. The trailhead on the north side of the road is the wide spot off of the highway, and you’ll find the trail climbing the steps.

The north trail would take you to Canada, if you kept going for many, many weeks, and is the place to be at the end of May and beginning of June because of the copious sub-alpine wildflowers, including magenta hued Douglasia, brilliant blue alpine forget-me-nots, and bright yellow draba, carpet the rocky ridge.

The trailhead on the south side, is roughly one-quarter mile past the crest of the pass on the left hand side of the road. It is a large, new parking area with a vault toilet. The first mile is a steep pull to the top, but the views and wildflowers are worth the effort. This trail will take you as far as you want to go. 

🥾Local’s Tip: 

Bring bear spray for these hikes. 

Devils Glen and Falls Creek

Suppose you're looking for a good family hike with beautiful views. In that case, Devil's Glen, also known as the Dearborn 206 Trail, takes you along the beautiful Dearborn River, featuring waterfalls, canyons, and open meadows. Although the overall trail continues into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, providing nearly endless possibilities, the most popular section of the trail is around three miles to a spot along the river, making it roughly six miles round trip with less than 700 feet of elevation gain. 

Park at the large parking area (there is a vault toilet) at the end of Dearborn Canyon Rd. next to Montana Wilderness School of the Bible. The first mile skirts along private property and is not exceptionally scenic, but once you cross the bridge, you feel like you are in a wild country. 

🥾Local’s Tip:

The trail is well-worn and in good condition, and there are several places where you can jump into the deep pools during a hot summer day. 

Another option in this area is Falls Creek, which is also located along Dearborn Canyon Rd. before you reach the Devil's Glen parking area.

This area was made accessible to the public for the first time in 2019 when the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation purchased the 442-acre parcel and turned it over to the Forest Service. The large parking area is right alongside the road. There is a vault toilet and ample space for horse trailers. After a fairly steep, albeit one-quarter of a mile uphill walk from the parking area, the trail levels out, and it is less than a mile to Falls Creek and a beautiful view of the 60-foot-high waterfall. There are not a lot of trails in this area, but it's a nice spot to explore. 

🥾Local’s Tip: 

It’s wise to have bear spray with you on both of these hikes. 

First Peoples Buffalo Jump

Located just outside Ulm, the First Peoples Buffalo Jump offers an excellent visitor center (great for the kids), classes and presentations throughout the year, and trails along the prairie and the pishkun. 

🥾Local’s Tip: 

There is a great teepee near the center that is a favorite with kids. 

The main trail is just over three miles long. It begins at the visitors center, heads up the hill to the top of the jump, and then loops back down to the center. Because of a few steeper sections, it's a moderate hike but manageable for kids. At the top, there is a large prairie dog town. 

On the back side of the pishkun, there are newer trails, including east and west side loops that take you through prairie dog towns and the hillside. It's a terrific opportunity to view short-eared and burrowing owls, coyotes, antelope, and occasionally foxes.

🥾Local’s Tip: 

Always be watchful for rattlesnakes. 

Fishing

Missouri River

The Missouri River is one of the premier fishing areas in the country, and we are blessed to have it run through Great Falls. Grab a rod and reel and head to Giant Springs State Park or any access points along the river. 

🎣Local’s Tip:

Giant Springs also has fishing ponds with small docks that are great for kids and families. (This is where my eldest son caught a state record golden shiner in 2022. The tiny specimen was a whooping .03 pounds!) 

Largent Bend

Anytime someone with kids asks where to fish, we recommend Largent Bend outside of Vaughn. There are three ponds, although most people use the second pond with the docks and picnic table. 

Kids can sack up all the bluegills they want fishing from the docks with a tiny hook and piece of worm. Our sons' record when was 60 in one afternoon, and they were young! 

🎣Local’s Tip:

Largent Bend is also good for catching largemouth bass, especially around the reeds encircling the pond. 

Pelican Point

Near Cascade, Pelican Point is a popular area for camping, kayaking, and fishing for brook trout, brown trout, crappie, largemouth bass, and pumpkinseeds. 

As a bonus, Tower Rock State Park is located across the interstate. The Lewis and Clark Expedition stopped and climbed to the tallest spot to better understand this stunningly beautiful area. 

🐏Local’s Tip:

Keep your eyes open for bighorn sheep that frequent this area. 

Water Recreation

With so much water around us, it's natural to gravitate towards this favorite summertime location. 

🛟Local’s Tip:

To ensure a safe and enjoyable trip, be sure to wear your life jacket at all times. 

Floating around Town

With the Missouri River flowing through town, residents and visitors can put a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard in multiple locations along the river. One of the easiest is at Oddfellows Park, where you can put in and paddle upstream as far as you'd like and then float back down. This is a terrific opportunity to unwind first thing in the morning before work or in the evening. From this point, kayakers or canoeists can also paddle up the Sun River.

🛶Local’s Tip:

Even if you don't have a kayak, Treasure State Outdoors has a kiosk with rentals available at West Bank Park, another terrific location. Refer to the Missouri River Safe Use Map that was created by the City of Great Falls before heading out. 

South of Great Falls

There are multiple Fishing Access Sites located along the Missouri River from Holter to Cascade, ideal for launching a boat or paddle board and enjoying a half-day or longer on the river. 

A couple of our favorites, especially with kids, are from Devils Kitchen at mile mark It is approximately an hour of an easy float to Mountain Palace. Or you can continue to Prewett Creek, which adds another hour. 

🛶Local’s Tip:

Past Prewett Creek heading to Pelican Point, there is a set of notoriously deceptive rapids near the bridge, so it is not recommended for beginners or young paddlers. 

North of Great Falls

Consider the 16 miles from Carter Ferry to Fort Benton for those looking for a six-hour float. Start at the access site near the historic river crossing, where you can pull your vehicle onto the ferry and have the operator shuttle you to the other side. 

🛶Local’s Tip:

The best way to enjoy the day is by raft, but it's also pleasant via kayak or canoe. 

This gentle float takes you along beautiful expanses, teaming with eagles, pelicans, and many bird species. There are many places to pull over on the bank to rest, enjoy the quiet, and have lunch. 

🎣Local’s Tip:

Remember to bring your fishing pole, as this section of the Missouri River offers various species, including drum, goldeyes, and smallmouth bass.

These are just a few of the dozens of outdoor opportunities in and around Great Falls, and they are a great place to start exploring the area's offerings. 

Amy is the author of Nature Guide to Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks and Found Photos of Yellowstone and writes for regional and national publications. When she's not chasing deadlines, she is hiking the trails of Glacier and the Rocky Mountain Front or floating the Missouri River with her friends and family. Follow her pursuits at https://amygrisak.substack.com.