I feel like it is a huge win when our American History lessons hit on a place that our family has explored. It is always great fun to read about the impact of that place/time in history and then flip through our own family photos of the location.
We have recently learned about Lewis and Clark and their explorations. When the book began discussing the trip and they were in Montana we got out our photos of Pompey’s Pillar.
We were able to visit the great state of Montana back in 2019 and this is one of the spots that still sticks out so strongly in our minds.
Clark’s engraving at Pompey’s Pillar
A History Lesson
Located in the heart of Crow country, legend says the Supreme Power broke the pillar free from the cliffs and rolled it across the river. It has been declared that any Crow who fasts here will be led to prosperity.
According to William Clark’s journals they passed through this area on July 25, 1806. “At 4 PM I arrived at a remarkable rock situated in an extensive bottom… This rock which I shall call Pompy’s Tower is 200 feet high and 400 paces in circumference… The natives have engraved on the face of this rock the figures of animals, near which I marked my name and the day of the month & year.”
This is the only surviving piece of physical evidence of the exploration still in tact on the trail.
The stairs to get a closer look at Clark’s engraving at Pompeys Pillar
The Location
The park is located along the Yellowstone River and is only 25 miles from Billings, MT, just off exit 23 on I-94. There are 51 acres here, so not just the famous signature pillar, but also some trails, a fantastic hands – on museum and gift shop. There are also some shaded picnic tables located close to the parking lot.
Their address:
Pompeys Pillar National Monument
3039 US Highway 312
Pompeys Pillar Montana 59064
The pillar is the only major sandstone in the area. There are stairs to climb a platform and get a great look at the valley surrounding you and catch a glimpse of the beautiful Yellowstone River. The trails around the park had warnings of rattle snakes and suggestions of bug spray the day we were visiting. Mosquitoes weren’t bad on the day and time we visited, but come prepared. All those snake suggestions absolutely kept me off the trail… would you have gone anyway?
The Visitor’s Center at Pompeys Pillar has so many hands-on activities for kids.
Visitor’s Center/Interpretive Center
Back in the interpretive center the kids began working on their Jr. Ranger badges. I love doing these when we visit National (and sometimes even state) parks. I feel like we learn so much more about the place we are visiting. Sometimes the book requires more time than we have to devote to the project so we miss out on the actual badge, but I do still see my kids flipping though the book and talking about the things they saw.
The day we visited there was a demonstration of old firearms. He went over how the bullets were made and even shot one of the old weapons. It was so informative.
Getting to check out some of the weapons that were on display.
The Visitor’s Center was fantastic with plenty of hands on activities for the kids to enjoy. They even allowed the kids to feel some of the animal pelts they had on hand.
Checking out the hands-on area and getting to feel the pelts.
The kids got to sit in an old dug out canoe.
Sitting in a dugout canoe at Pompeys Pillar.
We were not at all familiar with the area so we brought along a picnic lunch and were able to enjoy it at some of the tables at the park, which I highly recommend.
Enjoying a picnic and working on Junior Ranger Program at Pompeys Pillar
There was a gift shop that had some really cool things and so many books I wanted to take home. The Visitor’s Center is such a beautiful building, you don’t want to miss a visit to it. The visitor center is wheelchair accessible, and much of the trail to the pillar is a sidewalk. There are some stairs to get a closer look at where Clark signed the rock.
I like hiking, but snake warnings kept me away from their trails.
When To Visit
Because of the weather they experience there, the park is only open May-September.
Hours for the park are 8:30-4:30, and hours of the interpretive center are 9:00-4:00. Even during the off season you can walk from the gate to the Pillar. The admission I found online is $7.50 for 1-6 passengers, $13.00 for 7-25. I do believe the National Parks pass will cover this park.
Pets are allowed, but must be on a leash at all times. I don’t believe they are allowed in the visitor’s center.
There is no boondocking/overnight parking there at the park.
