Gateway to the West: Fort Benton and Great Falls

Important Requirements

Lottery Information

A lottery process is in effect for this program. Lottery entry opens January 8, 2026 and closes at the end of the day January 15, 2026. Tuition is due at the time of lottery entry. Selected registrants will be notified via email by January 20, 2026. Any registrants who are not selected will be placed on the waitlist in case of a cancellation and will have their lottery payment refunded. Click or tap here for full details about the lottery process.

Activity Level

This tour requires low to moderate activity. Participants must be able to meet ALL the physical requirements outlined at the bottom of this page.

Description

Through a dynamic blend of guided tours, guest speakers and field tours, participants will explore the landscapes, art, artifacts and stories that defined important aspects of early Anglo-American history in Montana. The tour begins at the Bair Family Museum, located along the Musselshell River in Martinsdale. Next, it showcases the steamboat era in Fort Benton, which was once the lifeline for miners, soldiers and the Canadian Mounties. In Great Falls, guided tours of the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, the C.M. Russell Museum and The History Museum and Research Center will bring life to this important region. The tour will conclude at the awe-inspiring First Peoples Buffalo Jump, one of the largest and most accessible buffalo jump sites in the country.

Participants will:

• Follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, visiting key sites, interacting with local historians and building an understanding of their epic journey.
• Marvel at the world's finest collection of Charlie Russell's Western masterpieces, together with treasures from Charles M. Bair's collection.
• Stand at the edge of history, witnessing how Native peoples skillfully and sustainably harvested buffalo.
• Trace the supply lines that carried goods, soldiers, gold and stories on the Missouri River.

Itinerary

Day 1

Drive your own vehicle. Meet at the Charles M. Bair Family Museum in Martinsdale. Guided tour of the Western Art Collection, Edward R. Curtis photos, George Caitlin lithographs and the Bair house. Bring your own picnic lunch. Drive to Fort Benton, followed by a walk along the historic riverfront. Dinner on your own, followed by an evening presentation by Larry Cook, chairman of the Rivers and Plains Historical Society at Old Fort Benton. Spend the night in Fort Benton in local lodgings booked on your own.

Day 2

Tour the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center, followed by a tour of Decision Point, a key Lewis and Clark historical site at the confluence of the Marias and Missouri rivers, with BLM Resource Management staff. Box lunch at historic Wood Bottom on the Missouri River. Return to Fort Benton for a guided tour of the Museum of the Upper Missouri and Old Fort Benton. Catered BBQ dinner and campfire (weather permitting). Spend the night in Fort Benton in local lodgings booked on your own.

Day 3

Depart for Great Falls and meet at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center for a guided tour. Enjoy a catered lunch followed by a private tour of the C.M. Russell Museum. We'll have dinner at the historic Hotel Arvon with an evening presentation by Pete Jennings and Ashleigh McCann. Spend the night on your own in Great Falls.

Day 4

Tour The History Museum and Research Center, followed by a presentation by curator Ashleigh McCann. Drive to the First People's Buffalo Jump for a tour and presentation by MTFWP interpretive staff, followed by a catered lunch. Course concludes. Return to Bozeman on your own.

Itinerary subject to change.

Course Details

Lodging, Meals, Transportation

To provide maximum flexibility, participants will be responsible for securing their own transportation, lodging and most meals. Your tuition includes 3 lunches, 2 dinners and all museum admissions and tours. After registration, you will receive a list of recommended lodging options.

Tuition

Tuition for a single OLLI member is $487.

Physical Requirements

This is a moderately active trip. It involves:

• Walking and standing outside, exposed to the elements (sun, wind, cold, rain)
• Walking and standing in museums and on tours for up to 2 hours
• Walking on uneven ground, including agricultural areas
• Driving in a personal vehicle to and from the program destination
• Extended periods of standing (up to 2 hours)
• Ascending and descending stairs in historic buildings

Portions of this class will take place in remote locations with no emergency response services or medical facilities.