Approx. Distance: 285 miles
Approx. Ride Time: 6 hours
Ride from Great Falls on I-15 North, turn at Vaughn, then take US 89 north to the small town of Dupuyer. You will be riding parallel to the spectacular Rocky Mountain Front, locally referred to as “The Front”. Travel north of Dupuyer about 10 miles, turn east towards Valier on MT 44. Ride by Lake Frances although you may want to stop in for dinner at The Lighthouse Restaurant. Continue riding on MT 44 to I-15, then turn north for a short ride to Shelby. Boxing enthusiasts will want to see the boxing gloves and other memorabilia from the Dempsey-Gibbons heavyweight championship fight held here in 1923. They are displayed at the Marias Museum of History located in town. Continue riding on US Hwy 2 east to Chester. Locally made gifts are for sale at the Liberty Village Arts Center and you’ll need plenty of time to learn area history with a visit to the well-cared for Liberty County Museum. Ride south on MT 223 through what is called the Golden Triangle (for all of the wheat grown here) to the junction of 223 and US 87 near Fort Benton, then ride US 87 back to Great Falls.
