“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 This Location
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.
Color Palette
Location
📍 Open in Google Maps →Permit Information
Permit Required
Type
BLM Film Permit
Fee
$0–$200+/day
Contact
BLM Billings Field Office
Contact Permit Office
📞 406-896-5013Small monument — the butte is the main filming draw. Excellent for period Western or historical narrative scenes.
Save this to your scout list
Create a free account to save locations, add notes, and build your scouting board.
Start Scouting — Free →Already scouting? Sign in →Saved locations sync across all your devices.
More in Montana
🗺 Browse all filming locations in Montana →
