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.

Bird's eye view of the park

Shepherd Ah Nei SRMA

Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE
RESPONSIBLY.

* * *

### Overview

Pompeys Pillar National Monument encompasses 51 acres on the banks of the
Yellowstone River with a massive sandstone outcrop covering about 2 acres at
its base and rising 120 feet high toward Montana's Big Sky. The monument's
premier location at a natural ford in the Yellowstone River, and its geologic
distinction as the only major sandstone formation in the area, have made
Pompeys Pillar a celebrated landmark and outstanding observation point for
more than eleven thousand years of human occupation. Hundreds of markings,
petroglyphs, and inscriptions left by visitors including William Clark and the
Lewis and Clark Expedition have transformed this geologic phenomenon into a
living journal of the American West.

### Know Before You Go

**2025 Season Hours**

Pompeys Pillar National Monument will reopen for the season on **Thursday, May
22, 2025**. Please note a change in hours of operation due to limited
staffing.

Site access will be available **Thursday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m.** However, the visitor center will be open intermittently based on staff
availability.

We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may
cause. For questions or more information, please call 406-896-5013.

NOTE: Even when the Monument is closed, visitors may still walk into the site
during daylight hours. The walk from the gates to the Pillar is about 3/4
mile. Special arrangements can be made during the off-season for school
programs and other special events.

**Available Facilities**

  * Interpretive Center
  * Day Use Areas
    * Boardwalks
    * Walkways
  * Vault Toilets

 _**The interpretive center, restrooms, parking lot and day use area are fully
accessible.**_

**Pets**

Pets must be on a leash at all times.

**Be Respectful!**

Please respect the heritage of Pompeys Pillar National Monument. **Do not**
deface any tree, shrub, rock, or ancient Indian artifact. **Do not** touch
petroglyphs or remove any artifact. Not only is this illegal, but it erases
evidence of past generations and deprives others of the knowledge about these
sites.

### **Partnerships: Friends of Pompeys Pillar**

The Friends of Pompeys Pillar provides substantial and much needed support for
the Monument. This 200-member, nonprofit organization supplies more than 35
volunteers to assist visitors at the site and to operate the interpretive
center. Profits from this enterprise assist with operation of the Monument.
More than 2,500 hours of volunteer time are donated each year.

### Helpful Links

  * More Information: Programs: National Conservation Lands: Montana Dakotas: Pompeys Pillar National Monument
  * More Information: Home - Friends of Pompeys Pillar
  * Pompeys Pillar (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Remember your <a href="https://www.blm.gov/learn/outdoorethics" rel="nofollow">OUTDOOR ETHICS</a> when enjoying your public lands. Please<a href="https://www.recreateresponsibly.org" rel="nofollow"> RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.</a><hr><h3>Overview</h3>Pompeys Pillar National Monument encompasses 51 acres on the banks of the Yellowstone River with a massive sandstone outcrop covering about 2 acres at its base and rising 120 feet high toward Montana's Big Sky. The monument's premier location at a natural ford in the Yellowstone River, and its geologic distinction as the only major sandstone formation in the area, have made Pompeys Pillar a celebrated landmark and outstanding observation point for more than eleven thousand years of human occupation. Hundreds of markings, petroglyphs, and inscriptions left by visitors including William Clark and the Lewis and Clark Expedition have transformed this geologic phenomenon into a living journal of the American West. <h3>Know Before You Go</h3>2025 Season HoursPompeys Pillar National Monument will reopen for the season on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Please note a change in hours of operation due to limited staffing.Site access will be available Thursday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, the visitor center will be open intermittently based on staff availability.We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. For questions or more information, please call 406-896-5013. NOTE: Even when the Monument is closed, visitors may still walk into the site during daylight hours. The walk from the gates to the Pillar is about 3/4 mile. Special arrangements can be made during the off-season for school programs and other special events.Available Facilities<ul><li>Interpretive Center</li><li>Day Use Areas<ul><li>Boardwalks</li><li>Walkways</li></ul></li><li>Vault Toilets</li></ul>The interpretive center, restrooms, parking lot and day use area are fully accessible.PetsPets must be on a leash at all times.Be Respectful!Please respect the heritage of Pompeys Pillar National Monument. Do not deface any tree, shrub, rock, or ancient Indian artifact. Do not touch petroglyphs or remove any artifact. Not only is this illegal, but it erases evidence of past generations and deprives others of the knowledge about these sites.<h3>Partnerships: Friends of Pompeys Pillar</h3>The Friends of Pompeys Pillar provides substantial and much needed support for the Monument. This 200-member, nonprofit organization supplies more than 35 volunteers to assist visitors at the site and to operate the interpretive center. Profits from this enterprise assist with operation of the Monument. More than 2,500 hours of volunteer time are donated each year.<h3>Helpful Links</h3><ul><li>More Information: <a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/montana-dakotas/pompeys-pillar" rel="nofollow">Programs: National Conservation Lands: Montana Dakotas: Pompeys Pillar National Monument</a></li><li>More Information: <a href="https://www.pompeyspillar.org/" rel="nofollow">Home - Friends of Pompeys Pillar</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nps.gov/places/pompeys-pillar-mt.htm" rel="nofollow">Pompeys Pillar (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)</a></li></ul>

_Vehicle rates are based on number of passengers._

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

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

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.

Shepherd Ah Nei SRMA

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Nearby Parks

Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Anita Reservoir