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Black
Eagle Dam
Photo Courtesy Donnie Sexton, Travel Montana |
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The city of Great Falls
is brimming with cultural activities that celebrate the convergence
of the old and new. While the character of the Old West is carefully maintained,
the growing artistic scene is transforming the city into one of Montana's
greatest cultural centers. Ideally situated along the picturesque Missouri
River, Great Falls is known as the Electric City due to several
dams and power plants in the area. There are also four visible waterfalls
around the city, Rainbow
and Crooked
Falls are the only two that can be viewed in their original state.
The other two, Great
Falls and Black
Eagle Falls are now dams that generate power for the region. During
their legendary 1805 expedition, Lewis and Clark wrote much about the Great
Falls area, mainly because it took them a month to portage around the waterfalls.
Today, visitors flock to Great Falls for the scenic landscape, the cowboy
history and for the large number of recreational activities that the area
offers.
ORIENTATION
Situated in Cascade County, Great Falls is located roughly half way between
two National Parks. The west entrance to Glacier
National Park lies 200 mi (322 km) northwest of Great Falls, whereas
Yellowstone
National Park is 224 mi (361 km) south of the city. Helena,
the state capital of Montana, is 89 mi (143 km) south of Great Falls and
the border with Canada
is 121 mi (195 km) north of the city. To the south of Great Falls lies
Salt Lake City,
Utah, at a distance
of 571 mi (919 km). Southwest of Montana, the city of Boise,
Idaho, is
a 638 mi (1027 km) drive and Spokane,
Washington,
is 402 mi (647 km) west of Great Falls.
HISTORY
The history of Great Falls contains a strong western heritage, ranging
from the Plains Indian tribes who first roamed the land to the explorers
who envisaged the financial benefits to be had in the area. Before 1800,
the American Indian tribes that inhabited the region struggled amongst
themselves for control of the resource abundant land. Unfortunately for
the Indian tribes, the Missouri River is a major waterway and became a
focal point for exploration in the area. It was not long until the Indian
tribes were brusquely forced to relinquish their long held control of
the Great Falls area.
In the summer of 1805, the celebrated Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
Expedition arrived in the Great Falls area. In 1804, President Thomas
Jefferson had sent the duo to search for the fabled all-water route connecting
the Atlantic to the Pacific, dubbed the Northwest Passage. For centuries
the prospect of such a route had sparked dreams of facilitating east-west
trade. With the arrival of Lewis and Clark, the Great Falls area was put
on the map and the region was seen as an opportune location for a future
trading post due to its proximity to the Missouri
River. As a result, the arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
became one of the most significant events in Great Falls history, as it
paved the road for the area's development as a major trade center.
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Lewis
and Clark National Historic
Trail and Interpretive Center
Photo Courtesy Donnie Sexton, Travel Montana |
The development of the Great Falls area did not occur immediately. Almost
eighty years elapsed before settlers realized the immense benefits of
the land and began homesteading the region. Paris Gibson, a settler who
came west in 1882, imagined a city in the present location of Great Falls.
As a result, he drew up plans for the city and subsequently convinced
James Hill, an influential man in the railroad industry, to help finance
the project. Paris Gibson proved to be a skilled designer and Great Falls
is one of the few western centers that boasts an organized network of
aligned streets and over 800 acres designated as park area. Great Falls
became a city in 1888 and developed into a major Montana trade center,
resembling the predictions of Lewis and Clark. In recent years, the city
has grown into a strong community and the economy of Great Falls is highly
dependent on agriculture, healthcare and retail establishments. The Malstrom
Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard are both located
in the city and also have a huge impact on the economy and population
of Great Falls.
CLIMATE
The Continental
Divide is an imaginary line that runs along the highest peaks
of the Rocky Mountain Range, from British
Columbia, Canada,
through the United States,
and into Mexico and Central America. On the west side of the divide, water
runs into the Pacific Ocean and to the east of the divide water runs through
the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers into the Gulf of Mexico. In Montana,
the divide segregates the state into two geographical areas that differ
in climate. Since Great Falls lies east of the Continental Divide, the
city receives slightly shorter summers and lighter winds in comparison
to the west side of the divide. In the east, the divide also acts as a
barrier that prevents cold air rising over the peaks into the western
region. As a result, Great Falls can have temperatures much lower than
those seen in the west. South of Great Falls are the Big and Little Belt
Mountain Ranges, which are also factors in determining climate. Produced
by the Divide and the Ranges, common warm wintertime winds known as Chinooks,
are experienced in the Great Falls area. These frequent winds bring a
welcome relief since they can raise temperatures significantly.
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Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Precipitation |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
12°F
(-11°C) |
31°F
(-1°C) |
20
mm |
| Feb |
17°F
(-8°C) |
37°F
(3°C) |
15
mm |
| Mar
|
22°F
(-6°C) |
43°F
(6°C) |
25
mm |
| Apr |
32°F
(0°C) |
55°F
(13°C) |
35
mm |
| May
|
41°F
(5°C) |
65°F
(18°C) |
62
mm |
| Jun
|
48°F
(9°C) |
74°F
(23°C) |
65
mm |
| Jul |
54°F
(12°C) |
83°F
(28°C) |
36
mm |
|
Aug |
53°F
(11°C) |
82°F
(28°C) |
37
mm |
|
Sep |
44°F
(7°C) |
70°F
(21°C) |
29
mm |
|
Oct |
35°F
(2°C) |
59°F
(15°C) |
21
mm |
|
Nov |
25°F
(-4°C) |
43°F
(6°C) |
17
mm |
|
Dec |
17°F
(-8°C) |
35°F
(2°C) |
17
mm |
|
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Climate
data from the
Western Regional Climate Center |
Throughout the summer
months, Great Falls is often subject to hot weather that peaks at over
90° F (32° C), however the average summer daytime temperature is 79° F
(26° C). Average winter temperatures range from a low of 11° F (-12° C),
to a high of 37° F (2° C). It is important to note that Great Falls is
located in a part of Montana that receives cold waves approximately nine
times a winter. During these waves, temperatures are often well below
zero and are accompanied by fierce, blustery weather with blowing snow.
For the inexperienced traveler, these winds are known to pose a dangerous
threat and exposure to this extreme weather should be avoided. However,
if travelers dress appropriately for the weather, many outdoor activities
such as cross-country skiing can nevertheless be enjoyed.
TRANSPORTATION
Getting to Great Falls
is a trouble-free task. The Great
Falls International Airport connects the area to domestic and
international destinations. Delta,
Horizon,
Northwest
and Big
Sky Airlines service the airport. Two bus lines run through the
Great Falls area; Greyhound
comes through the city en route to Helena,
Billings and Alberta,
Canada, while Rimrock
Trailways provides service between Montana cities and lands at
many of the smaller towns in the State. Amtrak
Passenger Rail Service is located in Shelby,
Montana, 90 mi (145 km) north of Great Falls.
If driving to Great
Falls, I-15 provides a direct link to Canada in the north and San
Diego, California,
in the south. The I-90, found about 150 mi (242 km) south of Great Falls,
connects the area to the eastern and western United
States. A fantastic way to see the scenery is to take one of the
rural highways in the area. Highway 89 runs from Glacier National Park
through Great Falls to Yellowstone National Park. Highway 200 functions
as a link between Great Falls and Western Montana and the drive over the
Continental Divide and Logan Pass is memorable.
Transportation within
the city is simple. The Great
Falls Transit provides service throughout the city and taxi
service is available. Many of the attractions located in downtown
Great Falls and are easy to get to on foot. Rental
cars are also available through a variety of companies in Great
Falls, and give the traveler the freedom to see all that Great Falls offers.
ATTRACTIONS
Lewis and Clark
National Historic Trail Interpretive Center
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River's
Edge Trail
Photo Courtesy Donnie Sexton, Travel Montana |
|
Commemorating the Lewis
and Clark expedition of 1804-1806, the 25,000 square-foot Lewis
and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center offers a fun
and educational experience for all ages. Through a thirty-minute film depicting
the territory and its inhabitants during the Expedition, interactive displays
and an extensive exhibition hall, visitors to the Center can learn about
the monumental expedition that shaped the Western United States. Most exhibits
feature Lewis and Clark and their discovery of the Great Falls area, as
well as their interactions with the Indian tribes that controlled the area
prior to the expedition. The Center offers views of the prairie landscape
that has changed little since Lewis and Clark came to the area. The trail
that leads from the Center down to the river is a popular trek, especially
during the summer months (May - September) when guided walks are given by
informative rangers.
C. M. Russell Museum
The C.
M. Russell Museum memorializes the artistic works of Charlie Russell
(1864-1926), a onetime cowboy who became one of the greatest artists to
depict the American West. Russell's works are internationally acclaimed
for his honest and insightful depictions of the American Indian lifestyle
and his accurate portrayals of the Old West period. The C. M. Russell
Museum showcases over 2,000 of Russell's artworks and personal items,
as well as displaying the works of other American artists. Additional
highlights of the Museum include Russell's log studio, built in 1903,
and the Russell Home. Every March, the Museum organizes the C.M. Russell
Auction of Original Western Art, one of the largest art auctions in the
world.
River's Edge Trail
The River's
Edge Trail is a scenic path that is open every day of the year,
offering stunning views and acting as a venue for many recreational activities
in the Great Falls area. Sprawled on 25 mi (40 km) of land, the River's
Edge Trail features over 13 mi (21 km) of pathway along the Missouri River.
Additionally, over 11 mi (18 km) of the trail are paved and easily accessible
by wheelchair. Activities along the River's Edge Trail include bird watching,
biking, walking, jogging and rollerblading, as well as enjoying spectacular
views of the three waterfalls visible along the trail. For those who do
not have equipment readily available, bike
and boat rentals are available along the trail.
State Parks
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Ulm
Pishkun State Park
Photo Courtesy Donnie Sexton, Travel Montana |
Giant
Springs State Park is a great place to spend a sunny day while visiting
Great Falls. The park features one of the largest cold-water springs in
the world, which releases 193 million gallons of water each day. Giant Springs
is also home to the 53-foot long Roe River, which is cited as the world's
shortest river according to the Guinness Book of World Records (2004). Activities
within the park include picnicking, visiting the fish hatchery and learning
about the area at the visitor center.
Ulm
Pishkun State Park is the site of a historic buffalo jump that
was used for over 1,500 years by American Indian tribes. The steep cliff
stretches for over a mile and allows visitors to imagine the spectacle
of bison herding and killing that was enormously important to the American
Indian people. Ulm Pishkun is considered to be one of the highest, oldest
and most used buffalo jumps in the United States. Interpretive signs and
a visitor center relay the historic tale of the site and two hours are
easily spent enjoying the park.
Montana State Fair
The city
of Great Falls comes alive every July when it hosts the nine-day-long
Montana
State Fair. A wide range of activities and events are offered
at the fair, including the popular PRCA
Rodeo and the Xtreme Bulls PRCA Bullriding. Other exciting events
include live concerts featuring top artists, the Mighty Thomas Carnival,
an extensive exhibition and an impressive selection of ethnic food.
