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Pictograph Cave State Park

3401 Coburn Road, Billings, MT 59101
406-254-7342
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Ranked #9 of 28 attractions in Billings
Type: Historic Sites, State Parks, Landmarks/ Points of Interest
Owner description: Visit Pictograph Cave State Park to see images painted up to 2,145 years ago and learn about the artifacts left behind for over 4,500 years. This 23... more » Owner description: Visit Pictograph Cave State Park to see images painted up to 2,145 years ago and learn about the artifacts left behind for over 4,500 years. This 23 acre park features walking trails, an air conditioned visitors center, picnic grounds and museum displays; everything you need for a fun and educational get away! This special place is a site of spirit writing. For the entire time people have been painting the walls of this cave, insoluble minerals have been carried by the rain water and deposited on the surface of the cave. When heavy rains come through, the water percolates through the sandstone and lifts the veil of minerals. While on a dry day you may see 10-15 pictographs, on very wet ones, 30-40 images seem to appear directly from the rock. The Crow people say these images are drawn by the spirits, and whichever ones you see are meant to give you a personal message. « less
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52 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Billings, Montana
Top Contributor
58 reviews 58 reviews
41 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2013

This is one of the most amazing sights in Billings! Prehistoric Native Americans, probably the ancestors of the Crow people, dwelt here. The pictographs were drawn using dyes made from charcoal, red dirt and other natural dyes. Some defacement has occurred by unscrupulous people but considering the age, the drawings are in fabulous condition!!

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 28 more reviews by Jan B for Billings
Kailua-Kona
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2013

The geology of this location is quite impressive, with beautiful sandstone cliffs and huge caves. The pictographs are considerably worn away and difficult to view, but the visitor's center features some interesting samples of arrowheads and Indian artifacts found during the excavation process. $5.00 per out-of-state vehicle and no additional entrance fee.

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See 5 more reviews by TS L for Billings
Billings, Montana, United States
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 April 2013

Easy to get to and the new visitors center is nice. Combine this trip with going to the Pompeys Pillar for a good tourist day, you can do both easily!!

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 5 more reviews by Tammy H for Billings
Great Bend, Kansas
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2013

We flew into Billings, rented a PU truck, and wandered our way east to Wibeau for a family get together. Along the way we stopped at Pictograph state park. I got some stunning photographs! My husband and I both enjoyed our walk to the cave and around the rest of the grounds.However - RATTLESNAKES ! Beware after August 1. The... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 4
Pictograph C, Public Relations Manager at Pictograph Cave State Park, responded to this review
19 April 2013

We're glad you stopped. Only 5 miles off the interstate, our park really is a fun, educational and relaxing place to visit. And as for those snakes, yes, they do live here, but they're really not all that plentiful. The only venomous one is our little prairie rattlers, and if one shows up too often, we gently remove him or... More

Ronks
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2013

I expected a little more but it was nice The pictographs are hard to see and the cave they are in is small. If you have Montana Plates, it is free. Fine for a one time trip but wouldn't bother to go back again

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 7 more reviews by birdbreeder for Billings
Helena, Montana
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2013

I had a few minutes, so I stopped here. It was a jewel! Short little hike to a very interesting set of caves with pictographs. Kids could easily "hike" this trail and see everything.

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See 2 more reviews by Angie D for Billings
Billings, Montana
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 March 2013

I have lived in Billings for 6 years and never been here. I took my family from out of town and its a nice free little park. Its a little "hike" since its 0.4 miles up but the caves are neat. There are 3 caves and the information building. The caves had been vandalized so its not in excellent condition... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by Jessica D for Billings
Pictograph C, Public Relations Manager at Pictograph Cave State Park, responded to this review
19 April 2013

Thanks for your positive review. We're pleased that you enjoyed your visit and are happy to share this natural and historic treasure with families like yours. More

Billings, Montana
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 February 2013

I love the idea of the history of this place. it is a nice place for a stroll and a picnic. they have a cute teepee there to have your picnic if you like. But do watch out for snakes and spiders! there is a bit of paint still on the walls, which is so very sad. Would have been... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 8 more reviews by windy m for Billings
Amarillo, Texas
Top Contributor
100 reviews 100 reviews
36 attraction reviews
Reviews in 36 cities Reviews in 36 cities
43 helpful votes 43 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 December 2012

This park is a short drive from Billings, and well worth your time. The hike is a relatively easy loop, and the caves are very interesting for their natural beauty alone. The pictographs that remain are amazing history, and there's information all along the trail to help you understand their meaning, and what they looked like in the past. The... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 13 more reviews by TrueTexasTraveler for Billings
Pictograph C, Guest Relations Manager at Pictograph Cave State Park, responded to this review
23 February 2013

Thanks for your positive comments. While we can't take credit for the natural beauty, free-ranging wildlife or the rich cultural history of the place, we do our best to offer an informative and enjoyable experience to visitors like you with an interest in Montana's past. Come again! More

Billings, Montana
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 December 2012

The caves are pretty neat and the park rangers are informative and love to answer your questions. However, when you see the sign at the beginning of the trail that says, "Rattlesnakes seen on trail", they're not kidding. The park ranger told us that a man and his son had seen a rattlesnake earlier in the day but that was... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 11 more reviews by kcrox04 for Billings

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