Pompey's Pillar

As Lewis and Clark explored the west in the early 1800s in an effort to map a route to the Pacific Ocean, they discovered a vast, wild landscape.

On July 25, 1806, William Clark left his own mark on that landscape. As he traversed present day Montana, he came across a massive sandstone outcrop rising 150 feet above a two-acre base on the banks of the Yellowstone River.

Clark noted hundreds of markings, petroglyphs and inscriptions in the sandstone and quickly added his own signature to the collection. He named the rock Pompy’s Tower in honor of the nickname he had given to Sacagawea’s son. The rock was renamed Pompey’s Pillar in 1814 when Lewis and Clark’s journals were published. Today, Clark’s signature remains frozen in time encased behind glass - the only remaining on-site physical evidence of Lewis and Clark's epic journey.

Pompey’s Pillar is now a national monument located about an hour outside of Billings in the eastern half of Montana. A new visitor’s center features displays about the Lewis and Clark expedition, the lives of native Americans in the area and a short movie.

From the visitor center, it’s a short walk to the rock itself. A staircase leads to two stops. The first is a platform where you can view Clark’s signature as well as other names carved into the stone from the 1800s. From there, you can continue to ascend to the top of the pillar and enjoy a panoramic view of the area, including the Yellowstone River.

View our photos of Pompey’s Pillar on our Facebook page.