Water Sports
We always have a great time when the sun shines
Make Great Falls your basecamp for all things to do in the summer in Montana. As the snow melts the rivers rise, signifying the beginning of a summer to be filled with fishing, tubing, boating, and anything else you can imagine given access to Montana’s many rivers and lakes.
The Missouri River winding through Great Falls gives residents immediate access to endless possibilities of adventure. Some prefer a laid-back float down the river while others enjoy the adrenaline-inducing jolt of the boat hitting wakes – whatever your style, you’ll undoubtedly find your place on the water in Great Falls.
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Boating
Great Falls is the perfect basecamp for all your boating adventures. Broadwater Bay, near Downtown Great Falls, is a popular entry point for boats and other water sports. Consider a peaceful after-work excursion, or strap on your water skis and have a blast!
If you’ve got a little more time, head out to one of the surrounding lakes.
- Holter Lake, a 45 minute drive from Great Falls, offers camping, fishing and boating with public campgrounds and boat ramps. Holter is also home to the Gates of the Mountains, a must-see trip through mountains only accessible by boat.
- About 20 minutes further upstream is Hauser Lake, a 14-mile long lake popular with locals. Montana is dotted with lakes and rivers ready for your boat.
Paddling
Our friends at Visit Great Falls said it best:
Winding through the Electric City, the Missouri River is an ideal location to drop a kayak in the water, soak up the sun, and relax under the Big Sky.
Our river offers an incredible journey into unspoiled land, with access points along the Sun River and quick access to the Missouri from Great Falls’ Broadwater Bay, Oddfellows Park, and West Bank Park.
You can rent or buy kayaks, canoes and all the gear you’d need around town, check out Scheels, North 40, Bighorn Outdoor Specialists, and Montana River Outfitters.
Genuine Montana put together a great list of places to paddle in Central Montana.
SUP
Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) has become an ever increasing popular summer pastime. And with good reason! Who wouldn’t enjoy a time spent on peaceful waters, gazing at the fish swimming along the current and rocks of various colors dotting the riverbed? There are several access points along the Missouri River, including Broadwater Bay, Oddfellows Park, West Bank Park and Wadsworth Park, that allow you to make the most of every moment on the water during the beautiful Montana summer.
Rent SUP equipment from Bighorn Outdoor Specialists and Montana River Outfitters.
Fishing
Every year, fishers eagerly await perfect Montana river and lake conditions. With more than 85 species of warm- and cold-water fish, they’ve got plenty of variety to choose from, including the famous rainbow trout, walleye, and largemouth bass. Be sure to pick up a Montana Fishing License before dropping your fishing line in any Montana lakes, rivers or streams.
Read more about Fishing near Great Falls.
Fun in the Snow
The fun doesn’t end when the wakes are replaced with ice! The fun just changes as the seasons do. Great Falls is your Basecamp for all the winter fun you can imagine under the Big Sky, from skiing and snowshoeing to ice fishing!
Winter Activities