Pompeys Pillar National Monument (near Billings, MT), late June, 2026. "On July 25, 1806, William…read moreClark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition visited Pompeys Pillar, carving his name and date upon the rock." "Today, visitors can stand in the footsteps of Captain Clark while looking at his signature, visit the monument's magnificent visitor center, walk along the Yellowstone River, enjoy an interpretive program led by a skilled ranger, or stand on top of Pompeys Pillar and take in the beautiful scenery of Yellowstone County, Montana." Pompeys Pillar is also one of the many significant sites along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
We were driving cross-country, and the long day of driving would be taking us from Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota to Red Lodge, Montana. We tend to visit national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, national grasslands, and other federally-managed sites as we travel. We had picked up a brochure for Pompeys Pillar at a Visitors Center, and had been seeing some signs for the attraction along the interstate, so we planned this to be our afternoon touring and rest stop.
Finding the National Monument was easy, with it being just a few miles off I-94. However, upon reaching the entrance station, a ranger informed us that the vehicle entrance was already closed for the day. While the brochure indicated that the main gate would be open until 4:30, it was already closed at 3-something. The issue appeared to be under-staffing. He did offer us the opportunity to "walk-in" (free, dawn to dusk daily), but we simply didn't have enough time on our schedule for the 45 walk (each way) plus an exploration of the area.
So, unfortunately, all we did was to take a few photos from near the entrance station. While we were there, at least three other cars (all with out-of-state plates) were likewise turned away.