After nearly three years here, I *finally* visited Ryan Dam – and loved it. It was really beautiful, even on this very cloudy day. It was about 12 miles from Great Falls, and very easy to find. Once there, I crossed the gently-swaying bridge to the island, where there were a couple of wedding parties, and enjoyed the view of the falls, the river, the cliffs, and the island itself. I took some pix with my phone, although its 640×480 resolution is not well-suited to such splendor. I had originally planned to attend an short interpretive walk a few hundred yards up from the island, courtesy of the MT FWP service, but I was running 30 minutes late, so I just went on down to the island. While I was enjoying the view, I crossed paths with an FWP staffer named Chris Dantic; we struck up a conversation, he handed me some nifty brochures about the Dam and Falls, and it turns out that he was the one who conducts the interpretive tours — nice guy, full of information about the entire Great Falls area — thanks, Chris! I learned that when Lewis & Clark referenced the “Great Falls” of the Missouri, it was actually Ryan Falls that they were talking about. Quite a stunning location — ideal for picnics, parties, and just basking in some natural beauty.
6 responses so far ↓
1 bigskyblog.com » Blog Archive » Ryan Dam // Jul 10, 2005 at 6:26 pm
[...]
July 10, 2005
Ryan Dam
I finally made the short (12 miles) drive out to Ryan Dam, home to the actual “Great Falls of the Missouri.” Quite impressive – very beautiful. An [...]
2 Ashley Bartley // Oct 27, 2005 at 2:13 pm
I would like some information about having a wedding at ryans dam please e-mail me back.
3 Greater Falls, Montana! » Wedding Bells // Oct 27, 2005 at 10:41 pm
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A young lady left a comment on my Ryan Dam entry; she wants information about having a wedding at Ryan Dam. Anyone want to field this question? Leave a comment here if you know who to cal [...]
4 Suz Grandy // Mar 31, 2006 at 5:48 am
Ryan Dam is quite possible one of the most beautiful places on earth. My parents live there. My
dad works for PPL, and that’s who you want to call regarding a wedding out there. I’m not sure
of the number you want to call, as I live in Connecticut now. Good luck!
5 Ray // Apr 28, 2007 at 11:52 pm
I’m out there usually a couple times a week. Most people don’t appreciate the trail for what is is and what it could be.
6 Wedding Bells | GreaterFalls.com // Jan 13, 2008 at 4:51 pm
[...] A young lady left a comment on my Ryan Dam entry; she wants information about having a wedding at Ryan Dam. Anyone want to field this question? Leave a comment here if you know who to call or where to go..thanks! October 27, 2005 | Filed Under outdoors, events Amazon.com Widgets [...]
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