Great Falls is known as the "Electric City" because of its numerous dams and power plants. Montana's third largest city is located on the Missouri River among the five falls that were both a magnificent spectacle and formidable barrier to early river travel. This area held great significance for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The explorers were forced to spend nearly a month portaging around the falls in June 1805. Grand vistas can be found in every direction; Great Falls is surrounded by mountains and buttes on three sides, as well as vast plains to the north. Within minutes you can be on a large wheat farm, in a beautiful winding river gorge, or a picturesque valley.

You can find contemporary art at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, named for the founder of Great Falls. This beautiful building with its ornate interior was originally built in 1895 and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Great Falls was also the home of the famed cowboy artist Charlie Russell, whose original home and log studio are now part of the C. M. Russell Museum.

Great Falls is the site of Malmstrom Air Force Base, the center of our nation's first Minuteman Missile Complex. The Malstrom Air Force Base Museum and Air Park explains the history of the base, from its role in World War II to the present. Displays at the air park include a "Huey" helicopter, a Stratotanker used for in-flight refueling, a Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile and many aircraft used as fighters and bombers.

Discover the magic, history and beauty of Great Falls while on the Great Falls Historic Trolley or Tour de Great Falls. You'll see and hear about the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Indians of the region, Giant Springs State Park, C. M. Russell Museum Complex, historic downtown Great Falls, Three waterfalls, Paris Gibson Square, historic railroad area, Historic Home District, churches, saloons and other historic buildings.

Take a short drive and visit the First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. This historic Buffalo Jump is thought to be the largest bison cliff jump in the nation. At the Visitor Center learn why and how the Native Americans drove buffalo over the cliffs. Enjoy an awe-inspiring 360-degree panoramic view atop the cliffs or take an interpretive trail around the park.

Sparsely populated, the Front is made up of small communities, linked by miles of country roads and highways, that are dedicated to maintaining the special quality of life that makes living here so worthwhile. The Front is a slice out of America's heartland and, in some ways, is a slice out of this country's past. Crime rates are low out here and violent crime is almost non-existent. We don't have gangs in our schools or on our streets, and we still enjoy old-fashioned pleasures like community dances, family picnics and going for a drive in the country.

We value the wide open spaces, the pristine wildlife habitat, the clean air and bountiful water. We're accustomed to seeing deer in our gardens and hay fields, hearing the yip and howl of coyotes on moonlit nights and watching as hawks and eagles soar over the prairie, seeking rabbits and ground squirrels.

We're proud of our communities and ready with open hospitality for visitors and travelers. Visit us here and you'll begin to realize why life in the country - far from the hustle and bustle of urban America - is such a valuable treasure.

Situated where the Prairie meets the Rocky Mountains, Augusta provides the closest access, of any of the towns along The Front, to the trailheads for the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas and the Lewis & Clark National Forest.  Hikers, backpackers and horseback riders assemble in Augusta to access the 1,500,000 million acres of unspoiled, rugged beauty in the high country. There are ten beautiful lakes ranging from 6 to 25 miles from town, and many excellent fishing streams are close by. Guest ranches in the area offer riding, rustic cabins, hunting, fishing and sightseeing trips. The area teems with wildlife, and the real meaning of being in a major bird flyway is understood in the spring and fall. 

In addition to the spectacular landscape, true western hospitality awaits visitors to Augusta with it's gift shops, an array of food and drink opportunities, motel/hotel accommodations, campgrounds and an RV park. Spend some time exploring our wonderful area, then shop, have dinner in town, and make some new friends!

Belt was named for Belt Butte, a nearby mountain that appears to have a belt around it. The first coal mine was founded by John Castner and supplied fuel for Fort Benton. Belt's coal fields also began supplying fuel for the nearby smelter at Great Falls in 1893. In 1930 the smelters were converted to natural gas and the coal market began to slump. The first post office opened on February 2, 1885.

While in Belt, stop by and see local history and art at the Belt Museum, a building which dates from 1895 when it was built as a city jail. The Belt Creek Ranger Station south on US Highway 89 has information on nearby hiking, mountain biking, and snowmobiling, and offers trail maps.

Belt is located in northcentral Montana, it is southeast of Great Falls on US Highway 89.

Choteau, the county seat of Teton County, (population approximately 6,371), has a small, but respectable business community, low crime rates and quality schools. The population of the town is about 1,741 residents, governed by a mayor-city council form of government.

Choteau is surrounded by outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities on the Lewis and Clark National Forest and in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Hiking, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling are enjoyed in this beautiful area. If you enjoy skiing, Teton Pass is located 20 miles NW of Choteau on Teton Canyon Road. It is a great place to bring families to enjoy snowboarding, skiing and the Rocky Mountain Front. Fishing and boating can be enjoyed at Eureka Reservoir located 8 miles NW of Choteau on Teton Canyon Road. A great place for a picnic or overnight camping.

Freezeout Lake, located 4 miles south of Choteau, is a bird watchers paradise. Each year visitors come from miles around to view the 300,000 snow geese and 10,000 tundra swans that gather in March. For more info, contact the Fish, Wildlife and Parks at 406 467 2646.

Fairfield is the Malting Barley Capital of the World, a trade center for the farming community as well as being home to Busch Agricultural Resources, 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative and Sun River Electric Cooperative.

Even though the federal government had opened this area of Montana to homesteading in 1862, not until 1909 did settlers really come into the Fairfield area when Congress liberalized this act allowing the settler 320 acres of free land instead of 160. It became apparent, however, that the small homesteads, 160 or 320 acres, made little sense in the vast and dry landscape of Montana. After the Bureau of Reclamation conducted a survey that showed a dam could be built in the Sun River Canyon and water for irrigation in Fairfield area would be feasible were many more settlers attracted to Fairfield. The Gibson Dam was completed in 1929. Today, Greenfields Irrigation District delivers water from Gibson Dam to approximately 83,000 acres surrounding this community.

Fairfield offers a scenic 9-hole golf course at Harvest Hills Golf Course, with the Rocky Mountain Front and spectacular sunsets as a backdrop. This community also has a beautiful city-center park complete with a swimming pool. Every year on the third Saturday in July, Fairfield sponsors annual Swim Day festivities. This event draws people from around the nation in a time of family reunion and community renewal.