Part of the “Great Falls of the Missouri River,” Rainbow Falls was encountered by Meriwether Lewis in June of 1805. He journaled about this “pleasingly beautifull” waterfall by noting, “that if a skillfull painter had been asked to make a beautifull cascade that he would most probably have presented the precise image of this one…”
Located in the scenic town of Great Falls, Montana, Rainbow Falls has greatly changed since Lewis first witnessed and recorded it in his journal. First, the Montana Central Railroad bridge was built near the falls in 1901. Then, the falls were shortened for the development of the Rainbow Dam constructed in 1910. Today, visitors can enjoy the Rainbow Dam Overlook and imagine what this landscape was like for Lewis and his team all those years ago, before industry had come to this area.
A parking lot for the overlook is available nearby. Additionally, a paved trail for hiking and biking can take you to the overlook in less than two miles from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Several paved and gravel trails are offered along the Missouri River to explore this beautiful region and to visit the other waterfalls that constitute “The Great Falls” for which the town is named.
6401 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA
Distance: 0.17 mi (straight line)
Giant Springs State Park, Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 1.08 mi (straight line)
Giant Springs State Park, Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 1.08 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences LC Features Museums and Interpretive Centers
4201 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA
Distance: 1.41 mi (straight line)
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 1.42 mi (straight line)
Roadhouse Diner, 15th Street North, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 3.81 mi (straight line)
C. M. Russell Museum, 13th Street North, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 4.08 mi (straight line)
923 10th Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401, USA
Distance: 4.13 mi (straight line)
Blackfeet Outfitters, 10th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 4.31 mi (straight line)
800 River Dr N, Great Falls, MT 59401, USA
Distance: 4.40 mi (straight line)
17 7th Street South, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 4.61 mi (straight line)
160 Ryan Dam Rd, Great Falls, MT 59404, USA
Distance: 4.69 mi (straight line)
Crooked Tree Coffee, 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 4.72 mi (straight line)
Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Co. Production and Packaging Facility, 3rd Avenue South, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 4.79 mi (straight line)
Mighty Mo Brewing Co, Central Avenue, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 4.81 mi (straight line)
Gibson Park Trail, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 4.84 mi (straight line)
The Celtic Cowboy Pub and Restaurant, 1st Avenue South, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 5.06 mi (straight line)
Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.
