discover Genuine Montana The Last Best Place Great Falls Montana

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1 discover Genuine Montana The Last Best Place Great Falls Montana

2 the grandest sight I ever beheld Meriwether Lewis journal entry Resting on the high plains along Montana s Rocky Mountain Front Range, Great Falls is located at the confluence of the Missouri and Sun Rivers. This laid-back, hometown community offers delicious restaurants and a vibrant downtown full of unique shops and art galleries. Considered by many to be the birthplace of western art, Great Falls is home to the Charles M. Russell Museum, which houses works from this iconic western artist. The West s largest Lewis and Clark museum also resides in Great Falls and documents their historic expedition and one of the most difficult legs of the journey, portaging the falls of the Missouri. Striking out from Great Falls in almost any direction will yield some of the most breathtaking venues in North America. With Glacier National Park, Waterton, Canada and the Bob Marshall Wilderness all a short distance away, Great Falls creates the ideal gateway for your Genuine Montana experience. Black Eagle Falls Great Falls Tribune White Cliffs BLM

3 Glacier National Park Within an easy two-hour drive from Great Falls, hikers and sightseers can explore Glacier National Park. With the largest concentration of remaining glaciers in the lower 48 states, the park s shining, glaciated peaks, plunging valleys and turquoise-blue lakes make it one of the most dramatic landscapes in North America. Glacier s untamed vertical spires of banded granite and ice have earned it the nickname Backbone of the World, and these peaks are as wild as they are majestic. Retaining nearly all of its natural ecology, the park is home to such iconic species as grizzly bear, gray wolves, mountain goats, moose and even wolverines. Spending just a day in the vast Glacier wilderness will likely yield a sighting of at least one of these locals, and it is sure to leave visitors with a lifelong sense of awe for the park s rugged beauty. Mountain Goat Donnie Sexton, Montana Office of Tourism Red Bus Glacier Country Tourism

4 Waterton, Canada Waterton Lakes is one of Canada s least congested and most spectacular parks. Jagged glaciercarved peaks jet toward the sky alongside deep blue mountain lakes. High alpine lakes, impressive waterfalls and alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers are among the highlights from some of the most scenic views in the Canadian Rockies. The iconic Prince of Wales Hotel provides a striking contrast to its rugged surroundings and Waterton Village offers numerous other lodging choices from luxurious suites to affordable hotels. Great eateries, galleries and day spas are all easily within walking distance from all of the area s hotels. Waterton is also home to abundant wildlife, sharing a vibrant Rocky Mountain ecosystem with its adjacent American sibling, Glacier National Park. Elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and moose are frequently seen along the park s roadways.

5 Bob Marshall Wilderness Little more than an hour from the Great Falls Airport, wilderness enthusiasts can explore one of the most complete wilderness ecosystems in the world in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. It is the kind of wilderness most people can only imagine: rugged peaks, alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, grassy meadows embellished with shimmering streams, a towering coniferous forest and big river valleys. The Bob encompasses 1.5 million acres of untracked mountains, rivers and alpine lakes that are home to elk, grizzly bear, gray wolf, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose and reclusive wolverines. A huge escarpment called the Chinese Wall, a part of the Continental Divide, highlights the Bob s vast beauty, with an average height of more than 1,000 feet and a length of 22 miles.

6 Recreation and Cultural Experiences Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center Relive the Lewis and Clark Expedition s 8,000-mile journey across western North America in the comfort of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. C.M. Russell Museum With the most complete collection of Charles M. Russell art and memorabilia in the world, the C.M. Russell Museum is a treasure trove of history and art, drawing visitors and acclaim worldwide. Kayaking & Canoeing The Missouri River, Sun River and Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River offer boating enthusiasts or beginners an opportunity to experience a great outdoor adventure in our own backyard. Fishing Central Montana s rivers, streams and lakes boast a variety of fish, including northern pike, walleye, perch, catfish, trout and big- and small-mouth bass. The Missouri and Smith Rivers are internationally known as blue-ribbon trout streams. Hunting The areas surrounding Great Falls offer some of the finest antelope, deer, elk, bighorn sheep, bear, mountain lion and upland bird hunting in the West. Expansive public lands and numerous private guest ranches offer plentiful hunting opportunities. Fly Fishing Glacier Country Tourism

7 Bob Marshall > Wilderness < Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada < Glacier National Park Great Falls < Yellowstone national park discover Genuine Montana Start planning your adventure