River's Edge Trail
Address:
Phone:
406-788-3313Description:
The people of Great Falls adore the River's Edge Trail, and all sorts of people walk, run, bike, or cross-country ski along it. The trail began in 1989 as an effort to turn abandoned railroad tracks into trails and parks. The original plan was to span seven miles along the south bank of the Missouri River. However, in the past twenty years, the River's Edge Trail has exploded to over forty miles of trails using existing railroad tunnels, bridges, and underpasses on both sides of the river.Accessible to only non-motorized traffic, the trail is mostly paved and has frequent trailheads and parking lots. The trail starts downtown and extends all the way past the river's five hydroelectric dams. The River's Edge Trail is the best place in town to view wildlife: deer, beaver, cliff swallows, bald eagles and more.
The River's Edge Trail varies in strenuousness by location. The most popular spot is the stretch right by Black Eagle Dam (park in the first parking lot on Giant Springs Road, and hike upstream). If you are up to a tougher hike and seeing vast prairie landscapes, start at the Rainbow Dam Overlook and hike west. You will see the untamed Horseshoe Falls, and, depending on how far you go, up to three other dams. A couple of times a year, they open the top of Cochrane Dam to trail-users to cross the river.
Important Note: With the exception of Broadwater Bay, the Missouri River in the Great Falls area has a strong undertow and is largely unsuitable for water recreation.