The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is a government agency that manages 1 out of every 10 acres of U.S. land to sustain its health and diversity. Pompeys Pillar National Monument is a national historic site managed by the BLM that is located 32 miles northeast of Billings, Montana. It contains the only visible evidence left from Lewis and Clark’s 1806 expedition. It is about 200 miles north of Yellowstone National Park and about 262 miles from Grand Teton National Park. William Clark may have wished he had Bureau of Land Management campgrounds to stay at when he wrote about climbing this large sandstone boulder measuring over 200 feet tall. When he climbed down, he left his signature next to pictographs left by Native Americans on the rock's surface.
While Clark was not so blessed, you can find many campgrounds nearby in Yellowstone County, Montana, when you start wondering where to find BLM camping near me. You can stay at these campgrounds for up to 14 days at no or very minimal cost for 30 days.
Swords Park Trail is in Billings along the rims south of Airport Road. It offers stunning views of the Yellowstone River Valley. There are several park benches along the trail where you can sit and watch wildlife.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Easy
The Jim Dutcher Trail starts in Billings Heights on Mary Street east of Bench Boulevard. It follows old railroad beds through Two Moon Park before dropping down to run alongside the Yellowstone River at Coulson Park before ending at Mystic Park.
Length: 6.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Stewart Park Trail starts on Central Avenue in Billings. It runs through Stewart Park around the ballfields before ending on Monad Road. This hard-surface trail is short and is a great place to stretch your legs while your children enjoy the ballfields.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Yellowstone River is a fantastic place to go trout fishing. Anglers can catch brown, cutthroat, and rainbow trout by floating large nymphs or attractors downstream. Some of the best fishing is in the late summer in feeder creeks near their junctions with the main river.
Bouldering is popular in the Rimrocks around Billings. Phipps Park can be a great place to begin, but rockslides have forced officials to label some areas off-limits. Another fantastic choice is Zimmerman Park, especially if you enjoy short wall climbs. If you prefer to not climb on sandstone, head to East Rosebud, where you will find numerous climbing routes with easy road access. Alternatively, if you want longer ascents, West Rosebud is a terrific place to go climbing.
The Montana Audubon Center is a terrific place to see wildlife. While the 722-acre facility is open to the public from dawn to dusk, check out some of their special programs. There are great options for preschoolers, adults, and families. You are likely to see many different bird species, including bald eagles, and deer when visiting. You may even spot a black bear or bighorn sheep.
Pictograph State Park is a fantastic place for a picnic. Leave time to enjoy this park's museum, which is filled with over 30,000 artifacts, including Native American stone tools, weapons, paintings, and instruments. You will also want to go caving in one of the three caves at this park.
BLM RV camping is not available at Pompeys Pillar National Monument, but you can find wonderful RV camping nearby. A terrific private campground choice is Billings KOA Holiday, which was the first KOA opened in the world. You will find many things to do at this campground including playing miniature golf, hanging out in the hot tub, and enjoying a bite from the snack bar.
While there are no nearby Bureau of Land Management free camping opportunities, you may want to think about the free campgrounds in Custer Gallatin National Forest, like Hell's Canyon Campground. This is an exceptional free campground choice as there is a beautiful stream to fish in nearby. There is also East Boulder Campground, which has no amenities but is free and is operated on a first-come, first-served basis.
BLM RV camping can be a great experience if you keep some simple tips in mind. Remember that this site is in a remote area. Therefore, fill up with gas and check your tire pressure before heading out. Additionally, consider checking your oil and transmission fluid. You may even want to consider bringing a little extra of both with you.
Fires can be a problem in this area. Be especially careful with open flames when the area is hot and dry as sparks can quickly start a fire. If you cook out over a campfire, ensure that it is completely cold before you leave the area. Keep a bucket of water nearby to extinguish flames quickly.
Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Approximately 142 people visit this area daily. The average American generates 4.4 pounds of trash daily. Therefore, if everyone left his or her trash lying about, almost 625 pounds of waste would accumulate every day. It is not reasonable to expect a small crew to throw that much trash away, so be sure to clean up after yourself.
It is easy to get to Pompeys Pillar National Monument from Interstate 94. Take Exit 23 and turn left on Fly Creek Road. Go straight to get on Montana 312. Turn right on Pompeys Pillar Access, and you will see the large sandstone rock.
Address: 3039 U.S. Highway 312, Pompeys Pillar, MT 59064
Ready to visit Pompeys Pillar National Monument? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen; bathroom; and nice, soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step-guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
