"Water that fell as snow 3,000 years ago emerges crystal clear, flowing at 156 million gallons per day"
Giant Springs, Great Falls
Great Falls, Montana, United States
At Giant Springs, water that began its journey as snowmelt in the Little Belt Mountains emerges after 3,000 years underground—crystal clear, a constant 54 degrees, flowing at 156 million gallons daily. The spring is listed among Native American sacred sites in Montana. When William Clark first saw it in 1805, he recorded it as the largest fountain he had ever seen. The waters still flow, unchanged, connecting present visitors to forces that move beneath the surface.
Weather & Best Time
Plan Your Visit
Save this site and start planning your journey.
Quick Facts
Location
Great Falls, Montana, United States
Tradition
Site Type
Year Built
1805
Coordinates
47.5200, -111.1919
Last Updated
Jan 14, 2026
Learn More
Giant Springs was first recorded by William Clark in 1805, who called it the largest fountain he had ever seen. The spring flows from the Madison aquifer, with water traveling 60 miles underground over approximately 3,000 years. The site is listed among Native American sacred places in Montana.
Key Figures
William Clark
First recorded the spring during the Lewis and Clark Expedition on June 18, 1805, describing it as 'the largest fountain or Spring I ever Saw.'
Spiritual Lineage
Giant Springs is listed among Native American sacred sites in Montana, though specific tribal traditions are not well-documented in available sources. The Salish, Blackfeet, and other tribes historically inhabited the Great Falls region. Springs were commonly sacred in Indigenous traditions as places where water emerges from the earth.
Know a Sacred Site We Should Include?
Help us expand our collection of sacred sites. Share your knowledge and contribute to preserving the world's spiritual heritage.