Pompeys Pillar National Monument — Attraction in Montana

I was driving along he interstate and saw a Brown Sign for Pompeys Pillar National Monument. I had so extra time and decided to check it out and I a really glad I did. I used my National Park Senior Pass to Gain Entrance to the Monument at no charge. I did however leave a donation in the visitor’s center. Parking was convenient and located just a short walk from the visitor’s center which has a very nice interpretive center. As always, the National Park Rangers and staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Leaving the visitors center I walked out the paved path, reading the storyboard along the way. Arriving at the Pillar, there are stairs that you can use to make your way to the top. About halfway up I came to the William Clark Signature that he carved in the stone during the Lewis and Clark Exposition. Clark Carved his signature and date into the side of the Pillar when he camped here in the summer of 1806. His signature is visible behind glass which protects it from the elements and vandalism. After stopping at the Clark Signature, I continued my climb up the stairs to the top of the pillar. During my visit it was very windy, but the view of the Yellowstone River and the surround landscape were amazing. All total I spent about an hour and a half at the site which included taking in the exhibits at the visitor’s center and a leisurely walk out to the pillar and back. For anyone who enjoys history, this would be an amazing stop, and even if you don’t the views from the top of the Pillar would make worth the stop. This was a great spur of the moment...

I really like this place. The pillar has an awesome view from the top. You can see the Yellowstone River for a couple of miles as it meanders West towards Billings. I liked looking around the rock face of the pinnacle and reading all the carved names and dates. Clark chiseled his name in a hard to get to area of the stone.The National Park Service has his autograph in stone covered by a 2’ x 3’ x 6” wood frame encased in glass to save it from inevitable erosion. Fortunately the day I visited the monolithic spire of soul and stone there were no mosquitoes. I later found out while looking in the museum inside that during Discovery’s stay at the site the mosquitoes were so bad that their dogs were crying from being harassed by the constantly for days. Clark had with him on the tour a big black dog that stayed by his side. His last journal about the dog was at Pompeii‘s pillar but nothing about what happened to the...

Love this Little-Known Gem! OK, so Clark (Yep, of Lewis & Clark fame) went by here and carved his name in a rock on his return from having gone "West, Young Man." Is that a big deal? You'll definitely vote YES after your visit. The Bureau of Land Management had done a stellar job here. The museum/visitors' center is meticulously researched and beautifully presented. You'll have fun learning tons of things about the L & C expedition you never knew. The view from atop the pillar is gorgeous (and an easy climb thanks to a solid, meandering boardwalk). Standing next to Clark's signature in the rock is surprisingly moving. Rangers and volunteers are quite knowledgeable and very nice. The gift shop is beautiful. TIP: If you're pulling a trailer or driving an RV and headed east from Hardin, do not follow your GPS's advice to take Fly Creek Road. It's shorter but is gravel and a killer to your...