Updated July 2026
Great Falls of the Missouri
The 87-foot Big Falls is the largest of the five Great Falls of the Missouri that stalled Lewis and Clark's portage; now harnessed by Ryan Dam and viewed from the adjacent Island Park.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Lewis and Clark NHT / NorthWestern Energy dams for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Great Falls of the Missouri drops about 87 feet. That makes it the 248th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 64% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Ryan Dam Island Park overlook reaches it about 0.3 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 30 feet of elevation gain, rated easy. The nearest town is Great Falls. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Lewis and Clark NHT / NorthWestern Energy dams for closures and current conditions.
Variable (dam-controlled flow). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Montana waterfalls
- Apikuni Falls · 150 ft
- Bird Woman Falls · 560 ft
- Champagne Falls · 80 ft
- Florence Falls · 250 ft
- Holland Falls · 40 ft
- Kootenai Falls · 90 ft
- Memorial Falls
- Morrell Falls · 90 ft
Sources
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