The C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, is a museum complex devoted to Charles M. Russell and Western art and culture. Its collection spans more than 3,000 works, and the complex includes Russell’s home and studio, exhibition galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden.
- Location: 400 13th Street North, Great Falls, Montana 59401.
- Collection: More than 3,000 pieces of Western art, including nearly 1,000 works by Russell.
- Typical hours: Open Thursday to Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday
- Adult admission: $20; other admission prices and free-entry categories are listed below.
What the C. M. Russell Museum Is Known For
The C. M. Russell Museum is known for its extensive Western art collection and its focus on the life and work of Charles Marion Russell. Russell lived from 1864 to 1926 and depicted Western cultures, landscapes, wildlife and history.
The museum’s mission also embraces the art of Russell’s contemporaries and Western and Indigenous art and culture. Alongside nearly 1,000 works by Russell, the collection includes pieces by O.C. Seltzer, Winold Reiss, Joseph H. Sharp, E. E. Heikka, Maynard Dixon, E. I. Couse, Olaf Wieghorst, Henry Farny and Frank Tenney Johnson.
The complex covers an entire city block, with 16 exhibition galleries, educational programming spaces, a research center and an outdoor sculpture garden. Russell’s home and log studio are also part of the site: the home was built in 1900 and the studio in 1903. Together, they were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.
Planning Your Visit
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with its weekly schedule changing between winter and summer. Check the official site before you go for current visitor details.
Opening hours
- Monday and Thursday to Sunday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
In winter, from October 1 through April 30, it is open Thursday through Monday. In summer, from May 1 through September 30, it is open seven days a week.
Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors age 60 and over, $17 for veterans and $7 for students. Active military members and their families, as well as children age 5 and under, enter free.
Scheduled tour groups pay $17 per person and must book two weeks in advance. For general admission, contact the museum if you need to confirm whether advance booking is required. You can call the museum at (406) 727-8787.
Parking and handicapped accessibility are among the visitor amenities. The museum is located off Interstate 15; take exit 278, then look for the parking lot on 12th Street North and 5th Avenue North.
The C. M. Russell Museum is about 1.8 miles from this Great Falls motel, roughly a 6-minute drive.
What Else to See Nearby
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is another Great Falls art museum to consider adding to a day of cultural stops. The Great Falls one-day itinerary for museums and local sights connects the museum with other stops in the city.
FAQs
What is the C. M. Russell Museum known for?
It presents Charles M. Russell’s art and legacy alongside Western and Indigenous art and culture. Its collection includes nearly 1,000 works by Russell.
How much does admission cost?
Adult admission is $20, with reduced prices for seniors, veterans and students. Active military members and their families, and children age 5 and under, enter free.
What are the C. M. Russell Museum hours?
Open Thursday to Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Does the museum include Russell’s home and studio?
Yes. Both are part of the museum complex, and together they hold National Historic Landmark designation.