Great Falls of the Missouri | Great Falls

Great Falls of the Missouri – Great Falls, Montana

The Great Falls of the Missouri River form one of the most dramatic natural features in Montana - a series of powerful cascades that once stood as both a monumental obstacle and a magnificent discovery during the westward journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Today, these falls remain the soul of the city that bears their name, blending natural spectacle, history, and modern industry along the banks of the mighty Missouri.

The Landscape and Setting

The Great Falls are not a single waterfall but a series of five major falls along a 10-mile stretch of the Missouri River:

Black Eagle Falls – about 26 feet high and 600 feet wide, located near downtown Great Falls.

Colter Falls – 6 feet high and now partially submerged by the Rainbow Dam.

Rainbow Falls – 47 feet high with a wide, graceful curtain of water.

Crooked Falls (or Horseshoe Falls) – 19 feet high with rugged rock formations.

Big Falls (or Great Falls proper) – 87 feet high and nearly 900 feet wide, the largest and most powerful of the group.

Together, they once formed an unbroken chain of roaring cascades that forced Lewis and Clark’s expedition to make a portage of over 18 miles, carrying boats and supplies around the turbulent waters - a grueling task that took nearly a month in June 1805.

Historical Significance

When Meriwether Lewis first sighted the Great Falls on June 13, 1805, he was overwhelmed by their size and power, calling them “the grandest sight I ever beheld.” What he didn’t yet know was that there were four more falls ahead, making the journey far more challenging than expected.

The expedition’s encounter with the falls became one of the most physically demanding and defining moments of their journey. The team built makeshift wagons, endured storms and injuries, and hauled heavy canoes across the rugged terrain - an effort that demonstrated their endurance and unity.

The Great Falls thus became both a symbol of perseverance and a geographical marker of the West’s vast untamed beauty.

Modern Transformation

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the power of the falls drew settlers and engineers who saw immense potential for hydroelectric energy. The construction of several hydroelectric dams - Black Eagle, Rainbow, Ryan, Morony, and others - transformed the area into the industrial heart of Montana. The city of Great Falls grew rapidly, earning its nickname “The Electric City.”

While the dams altered the natural flow, many of the falls remain visible, especially Rainbow Falls and Big Falls, which still showcase their thunderous beauty when water levels rise in spring and early summer.

Visiting the Falls Today

The River’s Edge Trail connects viewing points along the Missouri, allowing visitors to walk, bike, or drive to the various waterfalls. Each site offers its own perspective:

Black Eagle Falls – easily accessible from downtown with a nearby overlook.

Rainbow Falls and Crooked Falls – reached via Rainbow Dam Road, with scenic picnic spots and panoramic views.

Big Falls – about 10 miles northeast of Great Falls, the most impressive of all, with interpretive signs and platforms overlooking the deep canyon.

Interpretive panels at each site describe both the natural geology and the historical context of Lewis and Clark’s portage. The surrounding landscape of sagebrush, cliffs, and prairie grass adds to the sense of timelessness.

The Natural Character

Even with human development, the sound and power of the Great Falls remain captivating. The sight of the Missouri plunging over rocky shelves, mist rising against blue Montana skies, and osprey circling above the canyon captures a sense of the original wild grandeur. In spring, when snowmelt swells the river, the falls reclaim their former intensity - a living echo of what Lewis and Clark once witnessed.

Closing Impression

The Great Falls of the Missouri embody the meeting point between Montana’s natural majesty and human determination. Once a formidable obstacle on the path of discovery, they became a source of energy and growth, shaping both the land and the city that grew beside them. Standing before the cascades today, visitors still feel the same awe that inspired explorers two centuries ago - the enduring rhythm of the Missouri, timeless and unstoppable.