Pompeys Pillar National Monument (2026): October Walk-In Access, Fees and Boardwalk

Quick answer (updated October 14, 2026): The staffed 2026 season at Pompeys Pillar National Monument in Montana ended on September 30. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) says the vehicle gate and Interpretive Center are closed outside the season, but visitors may park outside the gate and walk into the monument during daylight hours. Do not plan on visiting the indoor exhibits in October. The wooden boardwalk up the sandstone formation is about 1,000 feet long and has roughly 200 steps, including 100 steps to the landing near William Clark’s famous inscription.

This guide separates 2026 operating-season hours from off-season walk-in access, explains the vehicle fee schedule without assuming walk-in visitors pay the same amount, and helps you decide whether the climb is appropriate for your group. Check the BLM’s current visitor information before leaving, since weather and maintenance can affect access.

Is Pompeys Pillar open in October 2026?

Yes for daylight walk-in access, but no for the staffed visitor-center and vehicle-gate season. The BLM explicitly lists May 1 to September 30 as the 2026 operating season, and says visitors can park outside the gates and walk in during daylight hours when gates are closed, including on maintenance Tuesdays. The interpretive center and vehicle access are not available after the season ends. This is a more useful distinction than simply labeling the entire monument “closed.”

In the off-season, do not assume that every portion of the boardwalk is always safely accessible. Snow, ice, high winds or repair work can change conditions. The BLM does not guarantee staff assistance while the center is closed; for trip-specific access questions call the Billings Field Office at 406-896-5013.

Where is it and how do you get there?

Address: 3039 US Highway 312, Pompeys Pillar, MT 59064. The BLM locates it about 25 miles east of Billings. From Interstate 94, use Exit 23, then follow signs toward the monument; US Highway 312 also provides access. If your route app shows the main gate as closed, do not drive through or block it. Use designated parking where available and obey signs before beginning a daylight walk-in.

Montana distances can look deceptively short on a map. Allow driving time beyond your actual stop at the monument. The nearest town of Worden offers services; the BLM identifies Billings as the nearest city with major medical facilities.

How much does Pompeys Pillar cost?

The published BLM fee schedule applies to standard vehicles and commercial/group vehicles during managed day-use operations. It is not a $7-per-person fee. America the Beautiful passes are honored for covered entry. The BLM does not clearly specify a separate fee for unstaffed off-season walk-ins on its 2026 visitor page, so confirm rather than assuming that all walk-ins are free or must pay the vehicle fee.

BLM says the staffed-season fee booth accepts cash and credit cards, but not checks. Passes purchased through Recreation.gov may include a small transaction fee. Fees and pass policies can change, so confirm the official schedule before booking group transport.

Can you see William Clark’s signature?

William Clark carved his name and the date July 25, 1806 into this sandstone landmark on the return journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The signature is preserved behind a protective viewing arrangement reached by the boardwalk. It is not a carving visitors should touch or trace. Other Indigenous marks on the rock long predate Clark’s arrival.

The site also has a much longer history within the Apsaalooke (Crow) homeland. The BLM records a Crow name for the pillar, Iishbiiammaache, often translated as “The Mountain Lion’s Lodge.” Treat petroglyphs and other markings as protected cultural history, not decorative graffiti. BLM’s monument overview explains the site’s place in the region.

How hard is the boardwalk climb?

The BLM describes a boardwalk approximately 1,000 feet long, with about 200 steps. About 100 steps lead to the first landing near the Clark signature, followed by another 100 to the top. The route is a staircase, not a wheelchair-accessible ramp. Bring walking shoes with traction and pause as needed; if the boards are icy or wet, avoid the climb.

People who cannot climb stairs can still appreciate accessible areas of the monument during the staffed season. BLM lists paved walkways, accessible parking, restrooms and displays in the visitor center. The center also offers a virtual way to view the top and signature when staff and equipment are available. Those indoor alternatives should not be promised on an October walk-in because the staffed season is finished.

What does the Interpretive Center look like?

The modern Interpretive Center explains Clark’s party, Sacagawea and her son Jean Baptiste (nicknamed “Pompey”), local Indigenous history, and the Yellowstone River corridor. The grounds also include a distinctive glass tipi-shaped feature. These exhibits are a reason to plan a return trip during the May–September season instead of expecting an indoor museum visit in October.

What can you do in 45 minutes versus two hours?

These are planning estimates, not posted tour lengths. Check available daylight and your group’s pace. The BLM notes mowed trails on the grounds ranging roughly 0.1 to 1 mile, but trails and riverside conditions may change; do not approach restricted banks or adjacent private property.

Pets, camping, water and safety

• Pets: Must be leashed and are not allowed on the boardwalk or inside the Interpretive Center, according to BLM.
• Camping: Overnight camping is prohibited inside the monument; it is a day-use area.
• Drinking water: BLM lists a filling station in the visitor center during operations. Bring your own water for unstaffed visits.
• Restrooms: BLM lists vault toilets on the grounds and restrooms inside the center, but off-season service availability should be confirmed.
• Respect the rock: Do not add carvings, touch protected inscriptions, leave the route or remove cultural materials.

How it compares with another fossil or historic site

Pompeys Pillar is a short stop focused on a single landmark and layered human history; it is not a sprawling drive-through park. If you are building a multi-state trip around geology and preserved landscapes, our Fossil Butte National Monument visitor guide covers a different experience centered on prehistoric fossils in Wyoming. That site is not a nearby add-on to a Billings day trip; treat it as a separate leg of a longer itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

What was the last day of the 2026 staffed season?

September 30, 2026. BLM gives October 1 as the closing date, clarifying that September 30 was the final operational day.

Can I drive in on a Tuesday?

Not during the managed season: Tuesdays are reserved for maintenance. BLM says daylight walk-in visitors may park outside the closed gate, subject to local signs and conditions.

Can a wheelchair user reach Clark’s signature on the boardwalk?

No. The boardwalk requires about 100 stairs to the signature landing. Accessible center facilities and a virtual view are listed for staffed operations, not for closed-season visits.

Are dogs allowed to climb the pillar?

No. The BLM permits leashed pets on appropriate grounds but excludes them from the boardwalk and visitor center.

Is there a fee just to walk in after September 30?

BLM’s current visitor page clearly explains walk-in access after gate closure but does not provide a separate explicit off-season pedestrian rate. Ask the Billings Field Office before assuming either free or paid access.

Before you go: Review the official BLM page on the day of travel. It is the primary authority for 2026 dates, fees, access and safety restrictions.