Pompeys Pillar National Monument

At a glance

Visual character

“A lone sandstone butte rising 150 feet from the Yellowstone River valley. Historic landmark: William Clark carved his name here in 1806. Distinctive rocky outcrop surrounded by river cottonwoods and Montana plains.”

About

Pompeys Pillar National Monument near Billings, Montana preserves a solitary sandstone butte rising 150 feet above the Yellowstone River valley — and contains the only surviving physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition on the landscape. William Clark carved his name and the date, July 25, 1806, into the rock face; it remains visible today. For indie filmmakers, Pompeys Pillar offers something rare: a compact, accessible historical landmark surrounded by authentic Montana river valley scenery — cottonwood groves, river bends, and wide open Plains skies. The BLM Billings Field Office manages commercial film permits. Paved road access and an established visitor parking area make logistics straightforward compared to other BLM monuments. The butte itself is a distinctive visual anchor for any scene. Best for historical, period Western, or character-driven films that need a defined landmark.

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