Approx. Distance: 265 miles
Approx. Ride Time: 4 hours 37 minutes
Ride about 25 miles east from Great Falls on US 87 past Belt, turn south onto US 89 at Armington Junction rest area. The next 71 mile stretch is dubbed the Kings Hill Scenic Byway. You’ll ride through the charming mountain towns of Monarch and Neihart, cross Kings Hill Pass, and then into White Sulphur Springs. There are hot springs here and the water is used at the Spa Hot Springs to heat one large outdoor pool and two smaller pools. You don’t need to be a motel guest to soak, just pay a small fee and enjoy the thermal waters. If you forgot your swimming suit you can even rent one! This town features a unique Castle Museum built as a home by an early day resident. Enjoy a break at 2 Basset Brewery in White Sulphur Springs and you just might meet Leroy and Stanley, resident bassets. Continue traveling about 36 miles to Townsend on US Hwy 12 through the Big Belt Mountains and a scenic canyon, then to Helena on US 287. From Helena to Great Falls you can take portions of I-15 and the frontage road. The terrain on this 90 mile route will amaze you with rocky cliffs, grassy mountains and the Missouri River. For a break, stop in and enjoy the locally owned shops and eateries in Cascade, about 25 miles southwest of Great Falls. Fourteen miles from Cascade near the town of Ulm is First People’s Buffalo Jump State Park. The park is four paved miles from Ulm and there is a visitor center at the base of the buffalo jump. It’s well worth the four miles off the highway to learn about Native American culture before the introduction of horses and firearms. Ride back to the frontage road and take the final 11 miles of your journey into Great Falls.
