Your Great Falls trip begins with a journey into history and the Rocky Mountains. Before you head west, stop at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, where exhibits trace the Corps of Discovery’s voyage through Montana. Don’t miss the C.M. Russell Museum, honoring the cowboy artist who created a history of the West on canvas. Just outside of town, the First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park offers sweeping prairie views at one of the largest buffalo jumps in North America.
A quick hop onto I-15 connects you to MT-200 at Vaughn, where you can pop into the Big Sky Deli for a cup of their famous, scratch-made soup. The next leg is one of the most scenic stretches of highway, climbing from the vast prairie into the timbered mountains of Rogers Pass. Fun Fact: On January 20, 1954, the pass set the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded in the contiguous U.S. at −70°F. Today, it’s a perfect leg-stretch stop: walk a stretch of the Continental Divide Trail, snap a photo at the pass sign, or simply take in the views.
Dropping down from the pass, you’ll reach Lincoln, known for it’s rugged backcountry culture and home to Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild, an international sculpture park where large-scale works rise among the pines, celebrating the region’s heritage. Lincoln is also a great spot to fuel up and poke around before continuing north. Treat yourself to a milkshake at The Pit Stop or hunt for treasures at Rusty Relics Antiques. Pro Tip: Don’t miss Lincoln Leather and Fur Traders, where taxidermy mounts sit alongside lush pelts, coats, and locally made items. Hungry? Pull into the Wheel Inn, order their famous Wheel Burger with relish, and enjoy a game of horseshoes out back.
Beyond Lincoln, MT-200 meets MT-83, leading you into the southern end of the Seeley–Swan Valley. Dotted with lakes and flanked by the Mission and Swan ranges, this corridor is a year- round playground that especially shines in winter. Snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, ice-fishing, and snowshoeing make it a winter wonderland. This breathtaking drive parallels the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (affectionately called “The Bob”), the largest roadless area in the lower 48 states, as it makes its way toward Bigfork.
