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Pompeys Pillar National Monument, Pompeys Pillar, MT

Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffOutdoor Adventure

Pompeys Pillar National Monument

3039 US Highway 312 · Pompeys Pillar, MT

Why you should go…

This sandstone butte rises about 120 feet above the Yellowstone River, 25 miles east of Billings, and carries the signature William Clark carved on July 25, 1806. A boardwalk of about 200 steps climbs past the inscription and hundreds of other etchings and petroglyphs to the top. The visitor center covers Clark's trip down the Yellowstone Valley with Sacagawea and her son Pomp, and shady riverside grounds hold picnic tables and mowed trails. At 51 acres, it is one of the smallest national monuments.

  • #national monument
  • #lewis and clark
  • #petroglyphs
  • #boardwalk climb

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Pompeys Pillar National Monument, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Southeast Montana

    Free

    Montana's southeastern tourism region, spanning badlands, dinosaur digs, and Old West history across 13 counties.

    28 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Billings

    Free

    Plan a visit to Billings, Montana's largest city, set along the Yellowstone River beneath the Rims.

    28 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Local Gem

    DanWalt Gardens

    Under $25

    A family run botanical garden and event venue in Billings blooming from May through October.

    29 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

    $25–$50

    Walk Last Stand Hill, see the Indian Memorial and drive the tour road across the 1876 battlefield.

    40 mi awayMore like this