Great Falls Area State Park Offers Fall Stargazing and Harvest Moon Events

GREAT FALLS — First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park (formerly Ulm Pishkun State Park) is offering two October events designed to connect Great Falls area residents with Montana’s exceptional night skies and the park’s rich history.

The park will host a Harvest Moon and Sunset Hike on Wednesday, Oct. 8, beginning at 6 p.m. The three-mile moderately difficult hike will last about two hours, with participants enjoying the sunset followed by the rise of the harvest moon while learning about the park’s history from ranger Andy Keller.

“There is a $4 fee to join the hike, which is limited to 25 participants,” according to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announcement. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the park at 406-866-2217.

Two weeks later, on Wednesday, Oct. 22, park staff will host a free Night Sky Stargazing event from 7 to 9 p.m. The weather-dependent event takes advantage of the park’s location away from Great Falls’ light pollution to showcase Montana’s prairie skies.

“Visitors are invited to bring their own binoculars or telescope to view the brilliant night sky away from the lights of Great Falls,” the announcement states. Three telescopes will also be available for use, and hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.

The events highlight Montana’s growing reputation as a destination for astronomy tourism, capitalizing on the state’s vast dark skies and minimal light pollution. Montana’s remote locations offer some of the best stargazing opportunities in the continental United States, making it an increasingly attractive draw for visitors seeking authentic outdoor experiences.

For Great Falls residents, the events provide accessible outdoor recreation options during the fall season. The reasonably priced hiking opportunity and free stargazing night demonstrate how Montana’s state parks serve local communities while showcasing the state’s natural resources.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, located three miles north of Ulm just off Interstate 15 at exit 270, preserves one of the largest and best-preserved buffalo jump sites in North America. The site was used by Native American tribes for nearly 2,000 years as a hunting ground where buffalo were driven over the cliff.

The park’s location on the prairie provides an ideal setting for astronomical observation, combining historical education with recreational opportunities. The October events continue the park’s mission of connecting visitors with both Montana’s cultural heritage and its natural wonders.