The C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, holds one of the nation’s largest collections of work by cowboy artist Charles M. Russell, alongside his preserved home and log studio.
This guide was update in August 2026. Adult admission is now $20 — some regional guides still list the older $14 rate. You can book your admission ticket in advance through Viator.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 13th Street North, Great Falls, MT 59401 |
| Hours (Oct 1–Apr 30) | Thursday–Monday, 10am–5pm |
| Hours (May 1–Sept 30) | Open 7 days a week, 10am–5pm |
| Adult admission | $20.00 |
| Senior (60+) / Veteran admission | $17.00 |
| Student admission | $7.00 |
| Active Military & Families | Free |
| Age 5 and under | Free |
| Nearest transport | Free street parking around the museum |
| Typical visit duration | 2–3 hours |
Why book C.M. Russell Museum tickets?
- 🏛️ 4,000+ pieces of Western art: One of the country’s largest collections dedicated to Charles M. Russell, alongside his preserved log studio and home.
- 🎟️ Prices recently updated: Adult admission is $20, above the $14 rate several older guides still quote.
- 🌿 A diorama that shakes: The Bison exhibition simulates a thundering herd as you walk over it.
- 📜 Rotating temporary exhibitions: The current lineup has changed recently, so check what’s on view before your visit.
- 💰 Free for active military and families: Alongside free entry for children 5 and under.
C.M. Russell Museum opening hours
Winter hours, from October 1 to April 30, run Thursday through Monday, 10am to 5pm. Summer hours, from May 1 to September 30, extend to all seven days, still 10am to 5pm. The museum closes for a run of holidays through the year, including Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 3 and 4), Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving, and a stretch from December 22 through January 1.
C.M. Russell Museum ticket prices
Admission is priced by age and status.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $20.00 |
| Senior (60+) | $17.00 |
| Veteran | $17.00 |
| Student | $7.00 |
| Active Military & Families | Free |
| Age 5 and under | Free |
Scheduled tour groups pay $17 per person, but bookings must be made at least two weeks in advance. Book your individual ticket ahead of time through Viator to skip the front desk.
How to get to the C.M. Russell Museum
The museum sits at 400 13th Street North, in a quiet residential pocket of Great Falls. Great Falls International Airport (GTF) offers regular flights for visitors arriving from out of state, and the museum is an easy drive from anywhere in the city.
Parking at the C.M. Russell Museum
Free street parking is available around the museum, in a leafy residential neighbourhood with no dedicated lot required.
How long to spend at the C.M. Russell Museum
Most visitors spend two to three hours, factoring in the main galleries, the Bison exhibition, and a walk through Russell’s preserved Home and Studio.
Accessibility at the C.M. Russell Museum
The museum is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators serving all galleries, plus accessible restrooms and parking. Guests with specific accessibility needs are encouraged to call ahead so staff can help plan the visit.
What to see at the C.M. Russell Museum
Temporary exhibitions rotate regularly; as of this writing, the current lineup includes Beyond the Vault: Staff Picks from the CMRM Permanent Collection, Unsettled Lands by Manette Bradford, Tracing Russell (a collection of Russell’s own sketches), and The Art of the Angle, featuring wood engravings inspired by A River Runs Through It. Since these shows change, it’s worth checking the museum’s exhibitions page shortly before your visit.
The Russell Legacy Galleries honour collectors Tom and Jane Petrie, showcasing works from their private collection spanning the full range of Russell’s subjects and media.
Bison: American Icon, Heart of Plains Indian Culture explores the bison’s role in Northern Plains cultures through more than 1,000 artefacts, centred on a diorama floor that shakes as visitors walk across it.
Inventing the West & Manufacturing the World traces the Browning family’s firearms innovations and their influence on the myths and manufacturing of the American West.
The Russell Home & Studio, on the museum grounds, lets visitors step inside Russell’s original log studio and the home he shared with his wife, Nancy.
The Russell Riders Sculpture Garden, outdoors, displays monumental bronze sculptures of western wildlife and landscapes throughout the grounds.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check current exhibitions before you go | Temporary shows rotate regularly and may differ from what older guides describe. |
| Budget 2–3 hours | The collection and grounds, including the Home and Studio, take longer than a quick stop. |
| Bring military ID if applicable | Active military and their families are admitted free. |
| Park for free on the street | No dedicated lot is needed in this quiet neighbourhood. |
| Book group tours two weeks ahead | Scheduled tour group rates require advance notice. |
C.M. Russell Museum FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the opening hours? | Winter (Oct–Apr): Thursday–Monday, 10am–5pm. Summer (May–Sept): daily, 10am–5pm. |
| How much does admission cost? | $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and veterans, $7 for students; free for active military, families, and children 5 and under. |
| Is the museum wheelchair accessible? | Yes, with ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms and parking throughout. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, free street parking is available around the museum. |
| What’s currently on view? | Temporary exhibitions rotate regularly — check the museum’s exhibitions page before visiting for the current lineup. |
Things to do near the C.M. Russell Museum
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, about 15 minutes away, traces the Corps of Discovery’s expedition through interactive exhibits overlooking the Missouri River.
Giant Springs State Park, right next to the Interpretive Center, protects one of the largest freshwater springs in the country, alongside the short Roe River.
The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, housed in an 1896 former high school, focuses on contemporary and regional Montana art.
The River’s Edge Trail, running along both banks of the Missouri, offers miles of paved and unpaved paths for walking or biking past the city’s waterfalls.
The Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum and Air Park, free to visit on weekdays, displays historic aircraft tied to the base’s Cold War history.
What to visit tomorrow
The Montana Heritage Center, home to the Montana Historical Society in Helena, about 1.5 to 2 hours away, reopened in a brand-new building in December 2025 with an expanded Charles M. Russell Gallery of its own.
The Museum of the Plains Indian, in Browning, a little over 2 hours away near Glacier National Park, showcases historic and contemporary art from eleven Northern Plains tribes, worth the extra drive time for its exceptional collection.
