Family Fun for All Seasons in Great Falls, Montana

For active families and avid travelers seeking warm-weather hiking trails in the summer and intense snowfall covering winding slopes for a long, epic winter, Great Falls, Montana, should be on your radar. With all the Midwestern charm families love and diverting activities all ages can get on board with, this lesser-known locale is a best-kept secret for adventurers seeking a quiet reprieve.

With enough fresh powder this time of year, rent gear here and head to the nearest mountain, Showdown Montana. There are more than enough trails to go around, and with dry, freezing temperatures allowing for pristine winter sport conditions, now is a great time to experience this underrated adventure destination with the kids.

Word to the wise, plan to rent a car. While Great Falls is relatively small, Montana is vast and a lot of fun activities can be farther away. One perk, you’ll enjoy the view.

The Great Falls of the Missouri River in Great Falls, Montana. Photo: Joe Sohm – Dreamstime.com

If skiing isn’t your thing, there’s so much more to Great Falls, including the region’s great American history and slightly quirky style. Visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage, or make your way to the C.C. Russell Museum, celebrating a famous cowboy artist and an impressive collection. Another great heritage stop, the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art offers an interesting showcase of regional and contemporary art.

When the warm weather comes back around (or, at least, above freezing temperatures), plan a Great Falls trip to visit, well, the great falls. Hike to Giant Springs State Park (discovered by Lewis and Clark in 1805), or venture to First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park for some sweeping, rocky views of this historic land.

After a long day on the slopes, hiking, biking, fishing or any other recreational activity you can think of, visitors can enjoy the city’s small-town feel and true-blue Midwestern vibe like a local. Visit down-home restaurants with the kids and meander to local watering holes with the adult children using this handy brewery passport. After a day or two exploring town with your crew, you can easily build your own itinerary with a mix of outdoor adventure and refreshing suds with this list of local favorites.

There’s no better way to enjoy the local flavor than to do as the locals do, and with so much going on this in small-town package, you’ll be a regular in Great Falls in no time.