Pompeys Pillar National Monument is a remarkable testament to human history,
showcasing hundreds of markings, petroglyphs, and inscriptions that create a
living journal of the American West. For over 11,000 years, many peoples
celebrated this sandstone outcrop as a landmark and outstanding observation
point, with explorer William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition leaving
his mark alongside countless others.

Visit the Monument and climb the boardwalk to the top of the pillar, learn
about the Lewis and Clark expedition and more at the Visitor Center, and enjoy
the picturesque riverside grounds and trails.

## Hours and Seasons

The monument is open May through September, with exact operating dates varying
annually.

**For summer 2025, the Monument gates are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day
except Wednesdays. The Visitor Center is open Thursdays through Saturdays from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.** When the Monument gate is closed, visitors may still walk
the ¾ miles to the site during daylight hours.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument is a remarkable testament to human history, showcasing hundreds of markings, petroglyphs, and inscriptions that create a living journal of the American West. For over 11,000 years, many peoples celebrated this sandstone outcrop as a landmark and outstanding observation point, with explorer William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition leaving his mark alongside countless others.Visit the Monument and climb the boardwalk to the top of the pillar, learn about the Lewis and Clark expedition and more at the Visitor Center, and enjoy the picturesque riverside grounds and trails.<h2>Hours and Seasons</h2>The monument is open May through September, with exact operating dates varying annually.For summer 2025, the Monument gates are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Wednesdays. The Visitor Center is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. When the Monument gate is closed, visitors may still walk the ¾ miles to the site during daylight hours.

America the Beautiful Passes are accepted and allow free day use at Pompeys
Pillar National Monument and Visitor Center. Pompeys Pillar also has a
Monument-specific annual pass option. Otherwise, the following day-use fees
apply:

**Standard Vehicles**

  * 1 – 6 passengers: $7
  * 7 – 25 passengers: $12
  * 26+ passengers: $20

**Commercial / Group Vehicles**

  * 1 – 6 passengers: $25
  * 7 – 25 passengers: $40
  * 26+ passengers: $100

All fees are used by the local BLM recreation program to maintain and improve
the facilities.

Payment can be made by credit card at the entrance booth during business
hours, or by cash or check at the entrance booth outside of business hours.
Passes can also be purchased online through Recreation.gov or the
Recreation.gov mobile app for the same price, plus a small transaction fee.

The main hall of the visitor center. Notice the "river" on the floor. Guests can follow the Yellowstone River and visualize stops on the Corps of Discovery's journey.

Visitor Center Main Hall

View of the Pillar against Montana's big sky.

Pompeys Pillar

Outside view of Pompeys Pillar National Monument Visitor Center

Visitor Center

Bank of the Yellowstone River. Visitors are able to walk to the bank of the Yellowstone River via our trails. CAUTION: river currents can be unpredictable and swimming is not advised.

Yellowstone River

Section of the boardwalk that ascends the Pillar.

Boardwalk

Pompeys Pillar National Monument and Visitor Center

Anita Dam and Reservoir, features of the Huntley Project, are located 6 miles
southeast of Ballantine, Montana near Billings. This offstream storage dam was
completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937. Water is released from
Anita Reservoir into the Reservoir Canal which flows across Fly Creek to the
vicinity of  Pompeys Pillar . As the first representative of the United States
in the Upper Missouri Valley, Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition
scratched his name and the date of July 25, 1806 on Pompeys Pillar, a large
rock landmark overlooking the Yellowstone River. The Crow Indian Reservation
and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument are nearby. The Anita
Reservoir, with 32 surface acres and 2 miles of shoreline, offers seasonal
opportunities for crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass. No facilities are
available.

<a href="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/mt00567.htm" rel="nofollow">Anita Dam</a> and Reservoir, features of the <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/huntley.html" rel="nofollow">Huntley Project</a>, are located 6 miles southeast of Ballantine, Montana near Billings. This offstream storage dam was completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937. Water is released from Anita Reservoir into the Reservoir Canal which flows across Fly Creek to the vicinity of <a href="http://www.mt.blm.gov/pillarmon/index.html" rel="nofollow"> Pompeys Pillar </a>. As the first representative of the United States in the Upper Missouri Valley, Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition scratched his name and the date of July 25, 1806 on Pompeys Pillar, a large rock landmark overlooking the Yellowstone River. The Crow Indian Reservation and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument are nearby. The Anita Reservoir, with 32 surface acres and 2 miles of shoreline, offers seasonal opportunities for crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass. No facilities are available.

Bird's eye view of the park

Anita Reservoir

This popular recreation area (pronounced shepherd ah knee) has a variety of
uses. One portion is used almost exclusively for off-highway vehicle riding
and consists of about 50 miles of trails on 1,062 acres. The other portion,
about 4,000 acres, offers hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking,
picnicking, and birdwatching opportunities..

**Before you ride, call our hotline for updates on closures (406)-896-5014.**

This popular recreation area (pronounced shepherd ah knee) has a variety of uses. One portion is used almost exclusively for off-highway vehicle riding and consists of about 50 miles of trails on 1,062 acres. The other portion, about 4,000 acres, offers hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, picnicking, and birdwatching opportunities..

 

Before you ride, call our hotline for updates on closures (406)-896-5014.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument and Visitor Center

Hours and Seasons

Directions

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Nearby Parks

Anita Reservoir

Shepherd Ah Nei SRMA