Located just 12 miles from Libby, Kootenai Falls is one of the largest free-flowing waterfalls in the Northwest. And as beautiful as the waterfall is, the (short) journey there is just as amazing... unless you're afraid of heights.
Have you crossed the swinging bridge?
This bridge was built by the Forest Service to access forest fires across the Kootenai River.
Montana is certainly known for its beauty, but there's quite a bit of history here, too. You'll find it in any of the local museums found throughout the state, but there's also plenty to soak up just by simply hopping in the car to explore. Those who grew up in the state will recall learning about Lewis and Clark's Expedition through the west resulting in the mapping of land, rivers, and mountains. While it's important to mention that the expedition aided in the increase of people in the east moving west, negatively impacting the local indigenous populations, there are many parts of their story. And all of it is worth learning and understanding. As you explore the history, one interesting place to visit is this unique national monument in Montana, Pompeys Pillar National Monument in Yellowstone County.
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Pompeys Pillar National Monument can be found off of Highway 312, near the Yellowstone River. From far away it might simply look like a rock, but get closer and you'll see there's more to it.
The sandstone outcrop is unique for the area, which is part of what makes this attraction so interesting. The outcrop takes up about two acres at the base and it rises an impressive 120 feet in the air.
The national monument area is comprised of 51 acres and has an interpretive center with lots of information on the the historical significance of the region and the rock.
The sandstone outcrop features markings and petroglyphs that truly mark the history and passage of time. In a way, it exists as its own history book. One of the more recent pieces of history is the signature of Captain William Clark etched into the rock along with the date of July 25, 1806.
Visitors to this unique national monument in Montana can spend some time learning about the history of the area before heading outside to explore the rock.
While the Pompeys Pillar National Monument captures quite a bit of the area's history, it's easy to skip unless you know where to look. But, we certainly recommend you add it to your list of Montana must-see attractions.
Pompeys Pillar National Monument offers an Interpretive Center to learn about the area. While this and the main gates are open only seasonally between May and September visitors can walk about 3/4 of a mile from the gate to explore year-round during daylight hours. To learn more about planning your visit be sure to check out the Bureau of Land Management website's dedicated page.
Note that the restrooms, interpretive center, parking lot, and day-use sections are all fully accessible. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.
There's certainly no shortage of unique natural attractions to see in Montana. From ghost towns to unusually epic scenic drives, this is a great place to be if you love to be awestruck. The hardest part might be choosing something to see! If you frequently find yourself stuck deciding what to put on your outdoor exploration list, we've got a great option for you. This unusual attraction in Montana features rocks that seem to sing to you! Plan a visit to the singing rocks in Montana today!
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Located less than 30 miles from Butte sits one of the most astounding natural wonders in the state.
While there's no official scientific explanation for why the rocks make such a distinct ringing sound, it's believed to be related to the composition of each stone and the way they're positioned together.
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Interestingly, if any rock is removed from the pile, it stops making its characteristic sound.
It's best to be prepared with sunscreen and layers.
To get a sense of what you'll experience by visiting, check out this video shared by Nickolas Warner:
Ringing Rocks in Montana can be located fairly easily, but accessing them is a bit harder. A four-wheel drive vehicle is useful to have on this trip. The area is located about 20 miles east of Butte off of the Pipestone exit on I-90. To learn more about what to expect and how to get there, check out the official Bureau of Land Management website.
If you love this type of unusual attraction in Montana consider exploring a few of the weirdest places you can possibly go in the state. And if you have visited Ringing Rocks, MT, let us know in the comments!
