Great Falls, Waterfall system on Missouri River, Montana, United States
The Great Falls consists of five separate waterfalls spanning across the Missouri River, with the main cascade dropping 87 feet vertically.
Lewis and Clark documented these falls in June 1805 during their expedition, marking a significant point in their journey across North America.
Native American tribes established fishing grounds near these falls, using the natural formations to catch fish swimming upstream in the Missouri River.
Visitors can access viewing points through Ryan Island Park, which connects to the falls via a suspension bridge over the Missouri River.
The water flow varies throughout seasons due to dam operations, transforming from a 900-foot-wide cascade in spring to reduced streams in summer.
Location: Montana
Part of: Missouri River
GPS coordinates: 47.57000,-111.12300
Latest update: May 27, 2025 11:23
Montana offers a range of landscapes from the peaks of Glacier National Park to the central plains. The state has several mountain routes including the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Beartooth Highway, both exceeding 3,000 meters in elevation. Glacial lakes such as Flathead Lake and Lake McDonald stretch over miles, with geological formations revealing millions of years of natural history. The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman holds significant dinosaur fossil collections. Montana's mining history is evident in the streets of Virginia City, a former territorial capital founded in 1863, where over 200 buildings from the 19th century are preserved. The Little Bighorn Battlefield commemorates the 1876 conflicts between the U.S. Army and Native American nations. To observe local wildlife, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center houses bears and wolves in protected habitats. Hikers can take the 18-kilometer Highline Trail along the continental divide or walk to the Grinnell Glacier through alpine lakes in Glacier National Park.
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