Located along the Missouri River just south of Great Falls, Tower Rock was a landmark for native tribes, the Corps of Discovery, fur trappers, traders and many more that followed in their footsteps.
Now a state park, visitors can learn about the geology and history of the site with five interpretive panels located at the trail head. The trail to the base of the saddle is maintained for a quarter-mile, and the 400-foot high igneous rock formation lies along a 140-acre site.
The history of Tower Rock State Park goes back well before the Corps of Discovery, as many native tribes used the rock as a landmark when they were entering and leaving the rich buffalo grounds of today’s north central Montana.
Some excerpts from Captain Meriwether Lewis journal, from July 16th, 1805, include “an Indian road enters the mountain at the same place with the river on the Stard side and continues along it’s border under the steep clifts…At this place there is a large rock of 400 feet high wich stands immediately in the gap which the Missouri makes on it’s passage from the mountains… This rock I called the tower. It may be ascended with some difficulty nearly to it’s summit and from it there is a most pleasing view of the country we are now about to leave. From it I saw that evening immense herds of buffaloe in the plains below.”
Tower Rock State Park, Old US Hwy 91, Cascade, MT, USA
Distance: 0.00 mi (straight line)
Applestem Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, Craig Frontage Road, Craig, MT, USA
Distance: 10.25 mi (straight line)
Holter Lake State Recreation Area, Beartooth Road, Wolf Creek, MT, USA
Distance: 15.89 mi (straight line)
Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Helena, MT, USA
Distance: 22.03 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes
View Listing
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, Ulm Vaughn Road, Ulm, MT, USA
Distance: 24.14 mi (straight line)
Tribal Experiences Museums and Interpretive Centers Walks and Hikes Viewpoints
View Listing
Gates of the Mountains, Inc., Gates of the Mountains Road, Helena, MT, USA
Distance: 25.52 mi (straight line)
LC Features Outdoor Experiences Guided Tours
View Listing
Beaver Creek - Hauser Dam Trail, Helena, MT 59602, USA
Distance: 29.41 mi (straight line)
Grizzly Drive, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 30.00 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences LC Features
View Listing
Alice Creek Trailhead, Lincoln, MT, USA
Distance: 30.55 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes LC Features
View Listing
819 40th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA
Distance: 30.82 mi (straight line)
Hotel Arvon, 1st Avenue South, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 32.15 mi (straight line)
The Celtic Cowboy Pub and Restaurant, 1st Avenue South, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 32.16 mi (straight line)
West Bank Park, 4th St NE, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 32.33 mi (straight line)
Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Co. Production and Packaging Facility, 3rd Avenue South, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 32.33 mi (straight line)
Food and Drinks Breweries and Distilleries
View Listing
Mighty Mo Brewing Co, Central Avenue, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 32.38 mi (straight line)
Crooked Tree Coffee, 1st Avenue North, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 32.49 mi (straight line)
Gibson Park Trail, Great Falls, MT, USA
Distance: 32.50 mi (straight line)
Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.