I’ve been hanging around Billings for quite a while now—long enough that the new animals at ZooMontana come to me when they want the “back in my day” version of things. “Pappy Winston,” they call me.
And while I’ve gained a shocking amount of wisdom in the last 18 months (it’s a sloth thing), I’m still always curious about the place I call home.
I put together this list of can’t-miss historic sites for my animal pals, then realized… humans might want it too.
So if you’re visiting Southeast Montana and want to time-travel (without all the running), here are my favorite stops for exploring the region’s rich past.
Just along the Yellowstone River, Pompeys Pillar rises 120 feet into the sky—and yes, you can climb all 202 steps to the top (I did it once… and I needed a very serious nap). It’s also packed with history, including William Clark’s signature and evidence of human stories stretching back thousands of years—so admire the markings, but don’t add your own (that’s a big-time no-no).
I always suspected dinosaurs lived in Montana, and this museum is basically my “I told you so” moment. Near the famous Hell Creek Formation, it also highlights ancient sites like Mill Iron and features fascinating artifacts that make the past feel very, very real.
If you want the lore of ranching and the wider story of the Great Plains, this place is loaded—with Native American artifacts, pioneer history, and exhibits you can actually walk through. Expect cabins, a country school, and full-room displays that make it feel like you just wandered into another century (which is harder than it sounds when you move at my pace).
This museum is home to an impressive collection of more than 1,700 arrowheads—collected from nearly every state, which is honestly a lot of tiny pointy things. Don’t miss Echoing Footsteps, featuring first-hand accounts from homesteaders and pioneer families who helped shape Powder River County.
This National Historic Landmark preserves the site of the Battle of the Rosebud (1876), when Native American warriors fought fiercely to defend their homelands and forced General Crook to withdraw. It’s a powerful place to pause, reflect, and understand how this battle helped set the stage for what happened at Little Bighorn just eight days later.
About an hour from Billings, this monument marks the Battle of Little Bighorn, fought June 25–26, 1876 between the U.S. 7th Cavalry and warriors of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. It’s one of Montana’s most-visited historic sites—and a place that leaves an impression long after you’ve… slowly… wandered back to the car.
So there you have it—six stops that prove Southeast Montana has been busy for a very long time (unlike me, and I’m proud of it). If you go, take your time, soak it in, and maybe tell the locals “Pappy Winston” sent you—then report back, preferably with snacks.
