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Visit Us

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center offers a variety of daily activities for visitors at every level of physical prowess. Check out some of our offerings:

Exhibit Hall

The centerpiece of the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is our exhibit hall. In 6,000 square feet, exhibits lay out the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition from beginning to end, emphasizing the events that occurred while the Corps of Discovery were within the boundaries of Montana. The exhibits detail the stories of the Expedition members and the struggles they had to overcome on the journey to the Pacific, as well as the stories of the many Native American peoples the Expedition encountered along the way. Interactive exhibits offer the chance for hands-on experiences. Docents from the Interpretive Center staff are on hand to answer any questions visitors have along the way.

 

Orientation Videos

The Interpretive Center offers three different orientation videos daily in our stadium-style theater. The Journey of Lewis and Clark was made specifically for LCIC by acclaimed filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan. The film offers a good overview of the journey of the Corps of Discovery, beginning to end. The film shows at the top of the hour on odd-numbered hours – 9:15, 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00. Confluence of Time and Courage: Portage at Great Falls concentrates on events in the Great Falls area in the summer of 1805, especially the grueling, 12-day portage to carry the Expedition’s boats and equipment around the five waterfalls in this area. The film runs at ten minutes after the hour on even-numbered hours – 10:10, 2:10 and 4:10.  Or Perish in the Attempt: Medicine of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is a 26 minute film produced by the Lewis & Clark Foundation in conjunction with Dr. David Peck, author of the book by the same title. The film recounts many of the medical challenges of the Expedition, and gives fascinating insight into the practice of medicine in 1805. This film is shown at 12:00 noon every day.

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Interpretive Talks

Gain new insights into the Lewis and Clark story with live presentations from the Center’s staff of interpreters. We offer 20-minute short programs at the bottom of the hour in the Theater between showings of the orientation videos. We generally offer programs at 10:30, 11:30, 2:30 and 3:30 during the winter season, with additional presentations at 12:30, 1:30 and 4:30 during the summer, although times may vary. Subjects include the stories of the Lewis and Clark expedition, biographies of the different Expedition members, Native American culture and stories, natural history, and local and national history in the early 19th century. Exact titles are posted daily at the Front Desk and near the lower Theater entrance.

 

Trails

The Interpretive Center grounds include a segment of the Great Falls River’s Edge Trail, as well as two short interpretive trails through the natural landscape. The Center also maintains the Sulphur Springs Trail, approximately eight miles downstream from Great Falls.

The South Bluff Trail starts at the south end of the parking area and extends approximately 3/10 of a mile to an interpretive wayside exhibit. The trail offers views of the coulees and cliffs along the east bank of the Missouri River and the different plant communities near the cliffs. Marmots, deer and different species of birds are common in season. The trail surface is compacted gravel.

The Grasslands Loop Trail begins near the Interpretive Center Amphitheater, north of the building. The trail loops approximately 4/10 of a mile through mixed prairie lands along the bluffs above the Missouri River. The trail also connects to the River’s Edge Trail system through an underpass north of the trail loop, as well as the East Coulee Trail to the edge of the Missouri. The trail surface is paved near the parking area and compacted gravel in the prairie areas.

The East Coulee Trail branches off beyond the Meadow Loop Trail and continues through a coulee to the banks of the Missouri River. The trail is approximately ¼ mile long and is steeply sloped in sections. The lower end of the trail connects to the River’s Edge Trail annex along the Missouri, and to Giant Springs State Park to the north. The trail surface is gravel.

The Cliff Trail begins at the patio on the west side of the Interpretive Center building and connects to the River’s Edge Trail annex and the Interpretive Center’s River Camp activity area. The trail is fully paved and ADA-accessible. The trail runs approximately ¼ of a mile with interpretive wayside exhibits along the way.

The Sulphur Springs Trail begins near Morony Dam, approximately 19 miles by road from the Interpretive Center. This moderate difficulty, 1.8 mile trail connects to Sulphur Springs, across the Missouri from the starting point of the Lewis and Clark expedition’s 1805 and 1806 portages around the Missouri Waterfalls. Be sure to wear closed-toed hiking shoes, and bring sunscreen, insect repellent and water.

Address, Contact Information & Directions

4201 Giant Springs Road
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 727-8733

Northbound I-15 Directions

  • EXIT at #280, Central Ave West in Great Falls

  • TURN RIGHT at end of exit ramp onto Central Ave

  • TRAVEL on Central Ave West to River Road (1.7 miles)

  • TURN LEFT onto River Road

  • TRAVEL on River Road to Giant Springs Road (3.5 miles)

  • TURN LEFT onto Giant Springs Road

  • TRAVEL on Giant Springs Road (.7 mile)

  • TURN LEFT into Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Southbound I-15 Directions

  • EXIT at #280, Central Ave West in Great Falls

  • TURN LEFT at end of exit ramp onto Central Ave

  • TRAVEL on Central Ave West to River Road (1.7 miles)

  • TURN LEFT onto River Road

  • TRAVEL on River Road to Giant Springs Road (3.5 miles)

  • TURN LEFT onto Giant Springs Road

  • TRAVEL on Giant Springs Road (.7 mile)

  • TURN LEFT into Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Westbound Highway 87, 89, or 200 Directions

  • TURN RIGHT on 57th Street East, the 1st stoplight when entering Great Falls

  • TRAVEL on 57th Street E through two stoplights before road bends 90 degrees left to River Road (1.8 miles)

  • CONTINUE TO TRAVEL River Road to Giant Springs Road (1.4 miles)

  • TURN RIGHT onto Giant Springs Road

  • TRAVEL on Giant Springs Road (.7 mile)

  • TURN LEFT into Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Summer Hours:

Memorial Weekend through September 5
9 am to 5 pm Daily

Hours may vary  Call ahead to confirm:

(406) 727-8733

Winter Hours:

September 6 - Memorial Weekend
9 am to 5 pm Tuesday - Saturday
Noon to 5 pm - Sunday

Closed Mondays and New Years, Thanksgiving and Christmas

We have 2 wheelchairs for our guests if they are needed. Elevators and ramps are available for the comfort of all our guests.

Admissions

16 & above: $8.00

15 & below: Free
We honor the Federal passes below with FREE admission for a cardholder plus 3 friends or family

* Scheduled Tour Groups: $6.00
* Scheduled School Groups: $2.00

* Restrictions apply

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Every Kid in a Park Pass Program

A new recreational pass program - Every Kid in a Park - was launched by the federal government in the Fall of 2015. The program allows every 4th grade student in the United States to obtain a special annual pass that waives entrance fees on federal recreational lands and waters for the cardholder and his or her family for an entire school year.

Students can go to the program website, everykidoutdoors.gov, complete a simple activity, and download a paper voucher. They can present the voucher at any federal recreational site for a special pass.

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center also offers the Every Kid in a Park pass to 4th grade students who complete one of our education programs. Teachers can send a list of the students coming for a school group tour to the Interpretive Center and the Center staff will prepare passes for each student to be distributed once the program is complete.

Tour Groups

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center is located in a beautiful setting overlooking the Missouri River in Great Falls, Montana. It's the perfect place to visit any time of the year. Touring groups are welcome at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and we have a special rate for groups of 20 or more leader and bus driver receive free entrance.

  • For 20 or more paying adults the fee $6.00 per visitor.

  • For 19 or less paying adults the fee is $8.00 per visitor.

To make a reservation for your group please call (406) 727-8733. We request that you provide the following information. This information can be emailed.

  1. Tour date and time of arrival

  2. Group coordinator’s name

  3. Group name

  4. Mailing address including City, State, and Zip

  5. Daytime phone

  6. Cellular phone (optional)

  7. Email

  8. Method of payment (major credit card, check or cash)

  9. Number of paying adults, tour guide, and bus driver

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