Montana is home to a geographical quirk where the shortest river in America flows directly into the longest. Welcome to Great Falls, Montana, where the short but mighty Roe River meets one of the most important rivers in the country, the great Missouri.
MISSOURI RIVER
Image credit: Vicky Derksen, ©2022
The Missouri River is a titan of American waterways, beginning its 2,341-mile journey at Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, Montana. Its most dramatic feature is the series of falls where it drops over six hundred feet over the course of ten miles in the city of Great Falls.
When the Lewis and Clark Expedition encountered the five waterfalls in 1805, they proved to be the most challenging landscape the Corps encountered on their way to the Pacific Ocean. It took them a month to find a portage around them. Merriwether Lewis noted that these waterfalls were the “grandest sight” he had seen thus far on their journey.
These five cascades tell a story of natural beauty and human intervention. Beginning in the 1890s, a series of dams altered the river. The Black Eagle Dam created a reservoir that rose high enough to submerge half of Black Eagle Falls while bringing the first hydroelectric power to Montana. The Rainbow Dam preserved the flow of water over Rainbow Falls but completely submerged Colter Falls. Great Falls, the largest of them all, was dramatically altered from a year-round thundering cascade to a mere trickle in the summer months. Today, only Crooked Falls exists in its natural state.
Visitors can enjoy great views of the falls at the following locations:
- Ryan Island Park Picnic Area: accessible by suspension bridge
- Rainbow Falls Viewing: located at 6401 Giant Springs Road
- Black Eagle Falls: best viewed from Black Eagle Memorial Island Park
ROE RIVER
Image credit: Vicky Derksen, ©2022
The Roe River is a marvel of brevity and beauty. Spanning a mere 201 feet, it’s recognized as the shortest river in America. But what it lacks in length, it makes up for in geological wonder.
The river emerges from the ground as a bubbling spring, having made a 3,000-year journey from the Little Belt Mountains through the Madison Aquifer, a massive underground water system that stretches across five states and three Canadian provinces. It flows at an impressive 156 million gallons per day.
Lewis and Clark were equally impressed by this spring. Lewis described it as “the largest fountain…I ever Saw…that boils up from under the rocks near the edge of the river”. He noted its extreme transparency and consistently cold 54-degree water.
GIANT SPRINGS STATE PARK
Image credit: Vicky Derksen, ©2024
The Roe River originates in Giant Springs State Park, an 830-acre haven for wildlife, such as mule deer, foxes, and coyotes. Bird watchers and photographers will find endless inspiration, while a nine-mile portion of the River’s Edge Trail provides opportunities for walking, jogging, and biking.
The park also hosts the Giant Springs Trout Hatchery, which primarily raises rainbow trout. Visitors can schedule tours and enjoy fishing in the nearby Giant Springs Fishing Pond or directly in the Missouri River.
RIVER’S EDGE TRAIL
Image credit: River’s Edge Trail, thetrail.org
The River’s Edge Trail follows both sides of the Missouri River for sixty miles of paved and single-track paths. The trail features:
- Scenic views of the river, dams, and reservoirs
- Passage through parks and the historic downtown
- Access to eighteen pieces of public art, dining, and attractions
- Connections to Giant Springs State Park and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
LEWIS & CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER
Image credit: Vicky Derksen, ©2022
Located next to Giant Springs State Park, the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center offers a deep dive into the Corps of Discovery’s expedition and the local challenges they faced. Visitors can explore what it was like to navigate the powerful waterfalls and get a glimpse into the lives of the region’s indigenous peoples, as well as the local flora and fauna documented by the explorers. Highlights include:
- Video presentations in the theater
- A two-story diorama
- Self-guided tours
- Outdoor trails
- Ranger-guided programs
- A walking path connecting to Giant Springs State Park
- A chance to stamp your National Parks Passport book
Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or simply curious about unique geographical features, Great Falls offers a remarkable glimpse into Montana’s natural beauty, indigenous and explorer history, and rich ecological diversity.
