Each June, Great Falls, Montana, awakens with the energy of early exploration at the Lewis and Clark Festival. This multifaceted event honors the daring expedition that carved a path through the rugged West in the early 1800s. The festival is more than a commemoration; it’s a gateway to adventuring alongside history, community, and nature’s vivid backdrop.

The city’s seven towering waterfalls—the very cascades that challenged the Corps of Discovery—serve as a dramatic stage for the festivities. Trails weave through riverbanks, cottonwood groves, and sandstone cliffs, offering a practical challenge for any outdoor enthusiast eager to connect with history beneath an open sky. Expect moderate hikes featuring compacted dirt paths that rise and fall with the terrain, clocking in around 3 to 5 miles per section. Elevation gains are manageable but steady, typically ranging from 300 to 600 feet, demanding sturdy footwear and a readiness for rolling hills rather than steep climbs.

The waterfalls themselves are personalities in motion: the Missouri River dares you forward as it spills in vibrant ripples, pushing the edge of your senses with sprays that cool on a warm day. Along the paths, the cottonwoods stand watching, their leaves whispering stories to those who pause and listen. While the festival fills the town with cultural performances, historical reenactments, and artisan markets, the outdoor experiences anchor it with tangible connection to the land Lewis and Clark traversed.

For practical adventurers considering a visit, hydration is critical—Montana’s early summer days can deliver intense sun despite its northern latitude. Carry at least two liters of water, and consider a hydration pack for hands-free sipping. Footwear with durable tread and ankle support helps navigate rocky release points near the waterfalls. Early mornings offer cooler temperatures and softer light for exploring both festival grounds and trails, so plan for an early start to avoid midday heat.

Timing your trip around the festival also means access to community-led ranger talks, interpretive walks, and riverboat tours that reveal how nature and history intertwine here. Weather can shift, with sudden winds that ripple the river and spruce branches, reminding visitors that this landscape remains untamed and fiercely itself.

Great Falls’ Lewis and Clark Festival invites a broad audience—from casual festival goers eager to experience Montana’s spirit, to seasoned adventurers ready to engage with the physical and historical terrain. It balances vibrant culture and practical outdoor adventure into a weekend that feels both immediate and profound, an opportunity to trailblaze through history while keeping your feet firmly on the path ahead.