Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls, Montana: A Great Place for Families
Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls, Montana is one of the most beautiful and family-friendly places in the area.
Giant Springs has been a favorite spot for my family for years. One of my favorite memories there happened a couple of summers ago, when a friend & I went to Giant Springs with our kids. Between the two of us, we had six energetic boys between the ages of two & eleven.
The older ones wanted to explore the creek, and before we knew it, they’d gone through a large storm drain tunnel and had vanished from sight (and out of earshot, apparently, as they didn’t respond to our calls). It was a bit nerve-wracking, even though we were pretty sure the creek ended somewhere before the road.
After spending what felt like ages scrambling along sharp & slippery rocks in the creek bed (with my friend’s two-year-old in tow) trying to figure out where they’d gone, we finally caught up to them.
Ah, the memories. My family has so many great memories of time spent at Giant Springs, from annual 4-H picnics to feeding the trout & fishing in the stocked pond. It’s the kind of place where kids can explore, parents can relax a little, and families end up making the kinds of memories you laugh about later.
A little about Giant Springs State Park
Located in Great Falls, Montana, Giant Springs State Park is one of the prettiest spots in the area, with trails that connect to the River’s Edge trail system, along with a long paved path that runs along the Missouri River.
Giant Springs is one of the largest freshwater springs in the country and feeds the Roe River, one of the shortest rivers in the world.
A favorite spot for both locals and tourists, Giant Springs is the most visited state park in Montana. Whether you’re in the mood for a picnic, a quiet morning walk, or an afternoon of exploring with the kids, there’s something for everyone at Giant Springs.
A bit of historical trivia: Giant Springs was discovered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. The springs produce over 150 million gallons of water per day, with water originating from snowmelt in the Little Belt Mountains and traveling underground for years before surfacing at the springs.
Things to do with kids at Giant Springs State Park
If you're wondering what there is to do at Giant Springs State Park, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy.
Some of the most popular activities for families include:
Picnicking: Picnic tables are scattered underneath the pine trees near the parking area. There is also a secondary picnic area on the right side of the road (just before the main Giant Springs entrance).
There’s also a small playground near the main picnic area, which is perfect for letting the kids play while the adults sit for a minute and relax.
Visiting the Fish Hatchery: The fish hatchery is always a favorite with kids. There’s a large outdoor trout pond where you can feed the fish as well as a few indoor exhibits. If you’re bringing kids, it’s worth bringing a few quarters to buy fish food.
Walking & Hiking: The paved River’s Edge Trail runs through the park and connects to more than 20 miles of scenic trail along the Missouri River.
There are also several dirt paths that wind between the park and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center if your kids want to explore a bit more.
Fishing: There’s a small stocked fishing pond with a few docks where kids and adults can fish. And of course, you can always try your luck in the river.
Bird & Wildlife Watching: Wildlife can occasionally be spotted at Giant Springs, especially in the evenings. Owls, bald eagles, and pelicans are just a few of the birds that can be found nearby.
Exploring the Creek: The creek is one of my kids’ favorite things about Giant Springs. They love to explore, climb the little “cliffs” above it, and go through the large water tunnel to explore on the other side. Be sure to bring sandals or water shoes if you want to wade in the creek.
Making the most of your visit
Now that you know some of the things you can do at Giant Springs, here are a few tips that can make your visit with kids a little easier (and a little more enjoyable).
Quick adventure…or longer outing
One of the really nice things about Giant Springs is that it’s a great place to visit whether you have 45 minutes or several hours to enjoy it.
Short and sweet: Even a quick visit can feel like a little adventure. Feed the trout, walk around the Roe River next to the trout pond (often called the shortest river in the world), and let the kids burn off some energy at the playground before heading back to the car.
Stay a while: If you have more time, it’s a great place for a picnic, with an assortment of benches both in the main park area and in a secondary park area on the right side of the road (just before the main Giant Springs entrance).
After lunch, you can check out the trails that head toward the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, or connect to the larger River’s Edge Trail system for a longer family walk or bike ride.
And if your kids like exploring, be sure to check out the little creek mentioned at the beginning of this post—the entrance is at the bridge just a few hundred yards past the springs area. It’s a fun spot for curious kids!
Kid-friendly (and stroller-friendly)
One thing I really appreciated about Giant Springs when my kids were younger is how easy it is to navigate with little ones.
Most of the main paths are paved, which makes them great for strollers, scooters, or little bikes. But there are also plenty of small dirt paths and side trails for kids who want to wander a bit and explore.
Enjoy the trails
If your family enjoys walking together, Giant Springs is a great place for it. The paths wind along the river, and it’s fun to keep an eye out for ducks or geese along the banks—or the occasional little side trail to explore.
My kids are particularly good at spotting the side trails—much more fun than staying on the main path!
And if family bike rides are more your style, just outside Giant Springs is the larger River’s Edge Trail system, which is a popular spot for local bike rides.
A beautiful spot for photos
Giant Springs can be a beautiful location for photos, especially for maternity or senior sessions. For family sessions, the lighting and background options can be a bit more challenging than some other local spots, but there are still a few areas that photograph really nicely.
Here are a couple of my favorite spots for maternity or senior photos:
The Stone Staircase: This is such a unique spot—a wide stone staircase surrounded by pine trees, which starts near the springs and leads up the hill to the park. It’s perfect for a variety of both seated and standing poses.
The Small Bridge: Tucked between the upper picnic area and the trail that runs above the river, this wooden bridge has gorgeous backlight during evening golden hour.
And when you’re visiting with your family, it’s definitely a place where you’ll end up taking a few photos on your phone because the scenery is so pretty!
The best part about Giant Springs
My favorite thing about Giant Springs isn’t just the scenery, beautiful as it is. It’s the way an ordinary outing can turn into something you’ll remember—kids racing ahead on the path, stopping to watch fish in the water, or sitting together for a family picnic.
Those little in-between moments are often the ones we remember the most.
Capture the memories
Whether you're a local looking for a quick outdoor escape or a visitor wanting to experience one of the best spots in Great Falls, Giant Springs State Park is worth the visit. Scenic, peaceful, and filled with things to explore, it’s a perfect place for a family day, a quiet stroll, or even a memorable photo session.
And if you’ll be visiting the park and want a few photos to remember your time there—whether you're expecting a baby, celebrating a graduation, or just passing through—I’d love to help you plan a session that makes the most of this iconic Montana spot.
If you’ve been thinking about updating your family photos, I’m always happy to help you find the perfect location around Great Falls, Montana to capture your family’s story.
My sessions are relaxed and kid-friendly, which means kids can explore, laugh, and be themselves while I capture the love, laughter, and connection that make your family unique. You can learn more about my family photography sessions here.
If this sounds like the kind of photos you’d love for your family, let’s chat.