Pompeys Pillar National Monument – Pompeys Pillar, Montana

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Sign

Standing 150 feet above the Yellowstone River in Southern Montana and consisting of sandstone from the late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation, 75 – 66 million years ago, is Pompeys Pillar National Monument. While we were staying in the area to see family, and being related to John Colter of the Lewis and Clark expedition, we made sure to check it out one evening. Although perhaps best known for the inscription left behind by William Clark of the expedition, this site boasts the markings of thousands of years of human occupation. I will share more about the monument in a minute, but first want to share a little about the interpretive center.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Tepee

The Pompeys Pillar Interpretive Center opened in 2006. Exhibits in the 5,700-square foot center relate the journey of Captain William Clark and his detachment, including Sacagawea and her son Pomp, down the Yellowstone River Valley in 1806. The center also addresses native culture, flora and fauna, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the historical legacy of Pompeys Pillar through the changes of the 1800s. A number of J.K. Ralston paintings and sketches are on permanent display.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Statue of Clark

We enjoyed walking around and checking out some of their exhibits. Of course, you can’t miss the huge tepee right out front. As you make your way inside the center you will find a bronze sculpture of William Clark between a US and Montana flag. I enjoyed reading about Sacagawea and her son on one of the displays. Another cool thing to see was a canoe on the grounds.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Canoe

For a little bit of history about the Lewis and Clark expedition and Pompeys Pillar National Monument from the Friends of Pompeys PIllar:  On July 3, 1806, after crossing the Continental Divide, the Corps split into separate groups so Lewis could explore the Marias River. Lewis and Clark stayed separated until they reached the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. During their separation, Captain William Clark visited Pompeys Pillar on July 25, 1806.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - View 1

On July 25, in Clark’s group, the nine floaters noticed a huge sandstone rock “200 feet high and 400 paces in circumference” not far from the river.  Clark climbed it and saw “Emence herds of Buffalows, Elk and wolves.” Indian pictographs were on the rock, and to them he added his name and the date: Wm. Clark, July 25, 1806.  He named the rock Pompy’s Tower (now called Pompeys Pillar) after Sacagawea’s baby, whom she carried on a cradleboard strapped to her back for the 14 months that she accompanied and aided the expedition.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Sacagwea

In Clark’s own words, “…at 4 P.M. arrived at a remarkable rock Situated in an extensive bottom on the Start.  Side of the river & 250 paces from it.  This rock I ascended and from it’s top had a most extensive view in every direction.  This rock which I shall Call Pompy’s Tower is 200 feet high and 400 paces in secumphrance….”

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Signature

He also described the view from atop “Pompy’s Tower”: From the top of this Tower I could discover two low Mountains & the Rocky Mts. Covered with Snow S W. One of them appeared to be extencive and bore S. 15° E. about 40 miles. The other I take to be what the Indians Call the Little wolf Mtn. I can only see the Southern extremity of it which bears N 55° about 35 Miles. The plains to the South rise from the distance of about 6 miles the width of the bottom gradually to the mountains in that derection. A large Creek with an extencive Vally the direction of which is S. 25° E. meanders boutifully through this plain.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Center

Today, a boardwalk leads to Capt. Clark’s signature and to the top of the Pillar, which is the last physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. You also get a great view of the Interpitve center from the top.  As I said earlier, trails lead visitors past a replica of Captain Clark’s canoes and to a view of the 670-mile-long Yellowstone River.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Us

We made our way up a whole bunch of steps and I couldn’t help but think what it would have been like for Clark’s team without the stairs, and with all their gear. Wow, was all I could think when we did get to the top. It was beautiful, and you could see so for miles it seemed. Also impressive was being able to see where Clark inscribed his name and date. We took a few pictures, but mostly just sat and enjoyed the views until it started getting dark.  We headed back down with a little more knowledge about the area, and great memories.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument - Signature 2

Have you been to see Pompeys Pillar National Monument? If so, let me know what you thought about your visit. If you haven’t been, I would highly suggest a visit while in the Billings area. Happy travels.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument Visitor Information

Address:

3039 US Highway 312 Pompeys Pillar, MT 59064

Phone:

406-896-5013

Hours & Fees:

When the Monument is open (see below for season and hours), a $7 standard fee is charged for each vehicle. There is no separate fee for the interpretive center.  All valid federal recreation passes are honored at the site.

Private Vehicle Standard Fee

Rates are based on number of passengers.

6 passengers and under–$7

7-25 passengers–$12

26+ passengers–$20

2023 Season/Hours

May 1 through September 30

Main Gate: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Interpretive Center Hours:

  • May-September: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Commercial/Group Vehicle Fees

Commercial group rates are based on vehicle capacity.

Vehicles capable of seating 6 passengers and under–$25

Vehicles capable of seating 7-25 passengers–$40

Vehicles capable of seating 26+ passengers–$100

Directions:

The area is easily accessible from Interstate 94, using exit 23, or from State Highway 312. The monument is 25 miles east of Billings, Montana

Accessibility

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

Pets

Pets must be on a leash at all times.

Casper Museums – Best Museums in Casper, Wyoming

Casper - Horse

Gene and I have enjoyed many long weekend trips to Casper, Wyoming, and enjoy this little city a lot. Quite often we are there during the hotter time of the year or the cooler time of the year. For some reason, it just seems to have worked out that way. Thus, we have tried to do some museums and such when it is really hot out. If we are not at a museum, we are often at Frontier Brewing, or Backwards Distillery, lol.  Hey, you have to support the locals, right?  In all seriousness, we have enjoyed a few outside attractions such as the amazing Ayres Natural Bridge, and the beautiful waterfalls at Rotary Park. However today, I wanted to share a little about some of the best Casper museums in and around Casper, Wyoming. These are in no particular order:

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Berlin Wall Exhibit – Rapid City, South Dakota

Berlin Wall Exhibit 10

Last week Gene and I took to trip to South Dakota and decided to do a few things that some visitors may not have time to visit or experience. One of these places was visiting a memorial and piece of the Berlin Wall. It is called Memorial Park and is located on Rapid Creek adjacent to The Monument (formerly known as the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center). The park holds one of America’s largest Berlin Wall exhibits (two large slabs of the wall), Memorial Pond, Flood of 1972 Memorial fountain, several other sculptures, a band shelter, and Legacy Commons.  It is a very special and touching exhibit. Along with the wall exhibit, there are many interpretive monument stations explaining why the wall was built, and how it was eventually taken down.

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Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park – Georgia

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield 6While visiting some friends in Georgia and attending a convention in June of 2012, we had a great time checking out the Coca-Cola Museum as well as their capitol. One of the more interesting things we did was have dinner at  Stone Mountain and watched a laser light show on the huge monument depicting Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis during the Civil War. It was very interesting and led us to check out a few other Civil War parks and Battlefields. One such place we visited during our visit was Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. This huge park is located between Marietta and Kennesaw.

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Plains Indians and the Keeper of the Plains – Wichita, KS

Plains Indians - HorsesEarly March of 2022 when took a 4-day weekend trip to check out the small town of Wichita, Kansas. One of the things high on my list I wanted to see was the Keeper of the Plains. It stands at the confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers and is located adjacent to the Mid-America All-Indian Center. This 44-foot Cor-Ten steel sculpture by Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin was erected on May 18, 1974, to celebrate the United States Bi-centennial and has kept a watchful eye on the city ever since.  Around the statue are multiple displays which describe the life, belief, and practices of the local Plains Indians tribe(s) that used to inhabit the area, as well as several fire pits which are sometimes lit to illuminate the statue at night.  Below are some of the writing on the displays sharing their stories. Here is also a link to their website with more information if you want to visit yourself while in the area. Continue reading “Plains Indians and the Keeper of the Plains – Wichita, KS”

Rapid City, South Dakota – My Top 7 Free Things on Our to-do List

Rapid City 1We have had a few fun times exploring Rapid City, South Dakota and the area since living here in CO. Of course we had to do the big attractions like Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse, but we also look forward to doing some more historical and local attractions on our next trip in May of 2022. With a budget in mind, I also wanted to do a few free things while in the area. Thus I did some research and found 7 free things around Rapid City that I think would be fun to do. Here is my list (alphabetically): Continue reading “Rapid City, South Dakota – My Top 7 Free Things on Our to-do List”

Canyonlands National Park – Moab, Utah

Canyonlands 7On our first trip to Moab, Utah we had wanted to do Arches National Park one day, and Canyonlands National Park the next day, however, we quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen as Arches National Park was just too big. We were disappointed with our limited amount of time in Moab, but it did give us a great reason to come back. It was definitely on our must-see list the next time we were in the area. were able to visit on a trip in February of 2021.

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The Lucille Ball Hometown Experience – Jamestown, New York

Lucille Ball 1Growing up I always watched I love Lucy with my mom as she grew up watching it. The series aired from 1951-1957. Today, more than 70 years since the last episode aired on May 6, 1957, this amazing comedic icon named Lucille Ball is still entertaining people everyday. Thus when Gene and I were in Buffalo NY for my birthday in 2021 we had to make sure and visit the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum in her hometown, Jamestown. I didn’t know what to expect really, but I was excited to visit, and it didn’t disappoint. We had an amazing I love Lucy experience.

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Park City Olympic Park- Utah’s 2002 Olympic Winter Games Venue

Park City Olympic Park - RingsIn April 2009 we were in Salt Lake City to see their State Capitol Building and decided to drive up to Park City. While there we had a wonderful time exploring Park City Olympic Park. This is one of the cities that hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. This area served as a venue for ski jumping, nordic combined, bobsled, skeleton and luge. It also features the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center, which houses both the Alf Engen Ski Museum and George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. Parking and admission to the museums and venue is free. It was a real thrill to be there and remember what happened. I felt like I was a small part of it. The area itself I beautiful and has a small-town feel even though it has grown in the last decade or so.

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Omaha, Nebraska – My Top 7 Things on Our to-do List

OmahaIn June of 2019 we were heading to Omaha for a few days before I continue on to Des Moines, IA for the LWMS convention. We have been through Omaha once before, but never explored the area. We did go to watch an Angels vs Royals AAA affiliate teams play a game at Rosenblatt Stadium before it was torn down to make more room for the zoo. Other than that, it is a new city to us. Thus I decided to do some research and find some fun things to do while we are in the area.  While a few charge a small fee, many of them are free. I look forward to our trip and creating posts about our adventures. Continue reading “Omaha, Nebraska – My Top 7 Things on Our to-do List”

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