2-Day Itinerary
Whether a history buff, adventure junkie, avid traveler, or family of four, Central Montana’s best kept secret is that you can have it all! So, go ahead – hike to the top of Mt. Wright, roam free along the Missouri River, and enrich your soul in the art of the West. Here, the views are big, but the experiences are even bigger!
Fort Benton, MT | Kickstart your journey in the town that came before it all. As Montana’s birthplace, Fort Benton is as charming as it is historic! Fuel the day’s adventure with a latte to-go at Moon Eyes Coffee or savor the morning with a hearty breakfast at the historic Wake Cup Coffee House.
Upper Missouri River Breaks | Drive just out of town and you’ll find yourself at the Upper Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center to learn about your basecamp for the day. An area with endless recreation, the breaks are Central Montana’s gateway to river life, epic adventure, wildlife viewing, and so much more!
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Book a Guided Multi-Day Trip | If you’re new to the area and hoping to do it all, a guided trip with Missouri River Outfitters is the way to go! Hike, camp, fish, and float – enjoy a curated experience without the planning and everything you need right at your fingertips. Need a little inspiration? The White Cliffs are sure to leave you in awe!
Float the River for Half a Day | If a multi-day float is just a little too long, enjoy a half or full day float with Prairie Mountain River Adventures. Easily take to the water with flexible start times, all gear provided (raft or kayak), and add-on options like lunch!
Do it Yourself! | Don’t need a guide but still want to get on the river? Pack a lunch, rent a kayak or tube, and spend the day soaking in the sun, views, and wildlife along the spectacular Missouri River.
Pro Tip: The fly fishing in the area is world-class.
Dinner | Wherever your day leads, don’t miss the opportunity for a meal under the big sky! Dine on the patio by the river at the Union Grille in Fort Benton. Conveniently, you can stay where you eat at the historic Grand Union Hotel.
Welcome to Great Falls, Central Montana’s largest community and all-around hub for arts and adventure! The perfect combination of “city lights” meets “historic west,” Great Falls will have you feeling like a Montanan in no time.
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center | With a little adventure under our belts, it’s time to unearth the past. Follow in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark at Montana's 2024 Tourism Destination of the Year! Walk where they walked, see what they saw, and relive the epic journey west – discovering your own story along the way.
Giant Springs State Park | Head outside and continue the experience on the River’s Edge Trail – 53 miles of paved trail winding alongside the Missouri River and leading to many outdoor attractions, including one of the largest freshwater springs and shortest rivers in the country!
Time estimate: 15-minute walk from Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center to Giant Springs State Park.
Picnic in the Park | The gurgling of the spring, the view of the river, the sound of white pelicans in the distance. Grab a sack lunch from Wheat Montana or Great Harvest (delicious local delis) and enjoy a picnic on the lawn of Giant Springs State Park!
Feed the Fish | An experience your whole family will love, check out the Giant Springs Fish Hatchery to learn more about conservation efforts and feed the giant trout in the outdoor pond.
C.M. Russell Museum | Get ready to fall in love with western art and discover the “original cowboy artist” at the nationally acclaimed C.M. Russell Museum! Charlie Russell is one of the most well-known artists in the western art world, and many of his masterpieces (along with others’) are on display right here in Great Falls.
Choose your next adventure:
With so much to see and sunset quickly approaching, the next adventure is up to you! Where will your journey lead – an old mining area, a preserved archaeological site, or an evening at the ballpark?
Hike the Sluice Boxes | Once a mining area, Sluice Boxes State Park offers two family-friendly trails winding through the soaring cliffs of Belt Creek Canyon. Though seasonally dependent, the breathtaking views and area wildlife are worth the hike alone.
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Visit a Buffalo Jump | Take a scenic drive to First Peoples Buffalo Jump – the largest bison cliff jump in North America! Explore the visitor center and interpretive trails that tell the story of the people, the animals, and the landscape.
Take in a Ball Game | Few activities beat a night at the stadium. Indulge in ballpark food, catch a foul ball, and cheer for the home team at a Great Falls Voyagers independent baseball game.
Stargazing | Stars are only the beginning of what you’ll find in the dark skies of Central Montana. End your night (and trip) like a true Montanan, standing in awe of the cosmos – uncovering views of the planets, Milky Way, constellations, and maybe even the magnificent Northern Lights!
Pro Tip: Though any drive out of town will lead you to dark skies, head to Rainbow Dam for some of our favorite starry views.
Trip Add-Ons
Add a day, swap an adventure, or continue your way through Central Montana – the adventure is in the journey.
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