C.M. Russell Museum

The basics

The 16 galleries of the C.M. Russell Museum take up nearly an entire city block—some 3,000 pieces of Western art in all. Each corner dives into the Wild West when Montana was a river of cowboys, Indigenous tribes, and hopeful settlers. The museum rotates about 700 Russell masterpieces, including some of Russell’s most popular watercolor works. Separate exhibitions, like one on the American bison, complement the artist’s works and bring his subject matter to life. Next door, guests can wander over to Russell’s former home and tour his log cabin studio—included in the cost of admission—and get a sneak peek into the artist’s daily life.

Things to know before you go

• The museum has reduced winter hours—check the website before your visit to guarantee open doors.

• The museum is fully accessible, with ramps, elevators, and accessible bathrooms.

• Don’t miss the Russell-inspired outdoor sculpture park surrounding the museum.

How to get there

The C.M. Russell Museum is on 13th Street North in Great Falls, Montana. Free parking is available onsite. You can drive or take a rideshare service, like Lyft or Uber. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Gibson Park.

When to get there

In summer, the museum is typically open daily; in winter, Thursday through Monday is the norm, but call ahead before visiting. While there’s no bad time to visit, crowds tend to be smaller in the morning. Plan for a half-day to explore this surprisingly robust spot on the prairie.

Into Russell’s world

Most of the museum focuses on Russell, but visitors will find photographs, artworks, 20th-century vintage paraphernalia, and American West–related items rounding out the galleries, like a display of John Moses Browning antique firearms. There are also some 1,000 Northern Plains Indian artifacts on display, like clothing, regalia, tools, and weapons, giving space to the world Russell famously depicted.