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Yellowstone River

Yellowstone River
Trip Summary

Number of stops: 5

Total distance:

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This driving trip begins where Captain Clark intersected the Yellowstone River and heads east on the return route.  We follow the Roche Jaune (as the French explorers had named it) toward the eventual confluence with the Missouri where the Corps would be together again and focused on their final leg of the expedition and the return to St. Louis.

On July 3, 1806, after nearly three years of exploration, the Corps of Discovery divided to cover more ground. Clark led his detachment south along the Bitterroot River, crossing Gibbon’s Pass on July 6 before reaching Camp Fortunate on July 8, where they retrieved cached supplies, including long-missed tobacco. By July 13, at the Three Forks of the Missouri, Clark sent Sgt. Ordway downriver to rendezvous with Lewis while he led the rest toward the Yellowstone.

Check out Discover Lewis and Clark for over 2,300 pages of all things Lewis and Clark. Check the Lewis and Clark Trail Experience Events page to find additional festivals, programs, and events along your route.

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Stop 1: Livingston

Begin your journey in Livingston, Montana, a historic town nestled along the Yellowstone River, which William Clark followed on his eastward return in 1806. This scenic waterway offers excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, and riverside walks that echo the expedition’s path. Visit the Yellowstone Gateway Museum to explore exhibits on the region’s Indigenous cultures, early explorers, and the lasting impact of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Traveling east from Livingston along Interstate 90, follow the Yellowstone River through Big Timber and Columbus, tracing the very landscapes Clark and his men navigated by canoe. These rolling plains and river valleys remain largely unchanged, offering a glimpse into the untamed beauty of the American West as experienced over two centuries ago.

Stop 1

Livingston, MT, USA

Roundup Parade

Livingston, MT, USA

Yellowstone Gateway Museum

Yellowstone Gateway Museum, West Chinook Street, Livingston, MT, USA

Sacajawea Park

Sacajawea Park, West Butte Street, Livingston, MT, USA

Places to Visit (Sorted by Distance)

Roundup Parade
Roundup Parade

Livingston, MT, USA

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Yellowstone Gateway Museum
Yellowstone Gateway Museum

Yellowstone Gateway Museum, West Chinook Street, Livingston, MT, USA

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Sacajawea Park
Sacajawea Park

Sacajawea Park, West Butte Street, Livingston, MT, USA

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Stop 2: Billings

Visiting Billings, Montana, offers a mix of history, outdoor adventure, and modern amenities. As Montana’s largest city, Billings serves as a gateway to the Yellowstone River Valley and significant historical sites. Pompeys Pillar National Monument, located just east of Billings, is a must-see for history enthusiasts, featuring William Clark’s 1806 signature carved into the rock. Nearby, Pictograph Cave State Park showcases ancient Indigenous rock art, dating back thousands of years. For a taste of the local culture, explore the vibrant downtown scene with its breweries, restaurants, and museums like the Western Heritage Center and the Yellowstone County Museum. Outdoor lovers can hike the Rimrocks, offering stunning views of the city and surrounding landscapes.

Stop 2

Billings, MT, USA

Western Heritage Center

Western Heritage Center, Montana Avenue, Billings, MT, USA

Yellowstone Art Museum

Yellowstone Art Museum, North 27th Street, Billings, MT, USA

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum, 2nd Avenue North, Billings, MT, USA

Billings, Montana

Billings Chamber of Commerce, 815 South 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101, USA

Moss Mansion Museum

Moss Mansion, Division Street, Billings, MT, USA

Swords Park

Swords Park, Swords Park Drive, Billings, MT, USA

MSUB Powwow

Montana State University Billings, University Drive, Billings, MT, USA

Yellowstone County Museum

Yellowstone County Museum, Terminal Circle, Billings, MT, USA

Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park, State Secondary Highway 416, Billings, MT, USA

Pictograph Caves State Park

Pictograph Cave State Park, Coburn Road, Billings, MT, USA

Places to Visit (Sorted by Distance)

Western Heritage Center
Western Heritage Center

Western Heritage Center, Montana Avenue, Billings, MT, USA

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Yellowstone Art Museum
Yellowstone Art Museum

Yellowstone Art Museum, North 27th Street, Billings, MT, USA

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Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum
Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum, 2nd Avenue North, Billings, MT, USA

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Billings, Montana
Billings, Montana

Billings Chamber of Commerce, 815 South 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101, USA

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Moss Mansion Museum
Moss Mansion Museum

Moss Mansion, Division Street, Billings, MT, USA

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Swords Park
Swords Park

Swords Park, Swords Park Drive, Billings, MT, USA

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MSUB Powwow
MSUB Powwow

Montana State University Billings, University Drive, Billings, MT, USA

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Yellowstone County Museum
Yellowstone County Museum

Yellowstone County Museum, Terminal Circle, Billings, MT, USA

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Riverfront Park
Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park, State Secondary Highway 416, Billings, MT, USA

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Pictograph Caves State Park
Pictograph Caves State Park

Pictograph Cave State Park, Coburn Road, Billings, MT, USA

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Stop 3: Pompeys Pillar

Exploring Pompeys Pillar National Monument is a journey through history and breathtaking landscapes. Located about 25 miles east of Billings, Montana, this sandstone outcrop stands as a testament to William Clark’s 1806 return journey along the Yellowstone River. The highlight of any visit is Clark’s signature, the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, preserved on the rock’s surface.

A boardwalk trail leads visitors to the signature, with interpretive signs detailing the expedition’s significance and its interactions with Indigenous peoples. The visitor center provides deeper insights into the history, geology, and wildlife of the area. From the top of the pillar, panoramic views of the Yellowstone River and surrounding plains give a sense of the unspoiled wilderness Clark encountered. Whether you're a history buff or an outdoor enthusiast, Pompeys Pillar offers a unique glimpse into America's early exploration and the beauty of Montana’s landscapes.

Stop 3

3039 Hwy 312, Pompeys Pillar, MT 59064, USA

Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Pompeys Pillar National Monument, Highway 312, Pompeys Pillar, MT, USA

Places to Visit (Sorted by Distance)

Pompeys Pillar National Monument
Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Pompeys Pillar National Monument, Highway 312, Pompeys Pillar, MT, USA

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Stop 4: Glendive

Visiting Glendive, Montana, offers a mix of history, outdoor adventure, and paleontological discoveries. Located along the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana, Glendive is best known as the gateway to Makoshika State Park, where visitors can explore rugged badlands, fossilized dinosaur remains, and scenic hiking trails. History enthusiasts can follow in the footsteps of William Clark, who passed through the region in 1806 during his return journey along the Yellowstone River. The Frontier Gateway Museum provides insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage, pioneer history, and connection to the Lewis and Clark Expedition. For fossil lovers, the Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum showcases Montana’s rich prehistoric past.

Stop 4

Glendive, MT, USA

City of Glendive

Glendive, MT, USA

Makoshika State Park

Makoshika State Park, Snyder Street, Glendive, MT, USA

Frontier Gateway Museum

Frontier Gateway Museum, State Street, Glendive, MT, USA

MonDak Heritage Center

MonDak Heritage Center, 3rd Avenue Southeast, Sidney, MT, USA

Places to Visit (Sorted by Distance)

City of Glendive
City of Glendive

Glendive, MT, USA

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Makoshika State Park
Makoshika State Park

Makoshika State Park, Snyder Street, Glendive, MT, USA

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Frontier Gateway Museum
Frontier Gateway Museum

Frontier Gateway Museum, State Street, Glendive, MT, USA

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MonDak Heritage Center
MonDak Heritage Center

MonDak Heritage Center, 3rd Avenue Southeast, Sidney, MT, USA

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Stop 5: Missouri & Yellowstone Confluence

Traveling to the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most historically significant and scenic regions of the Upper Missouri River. Located near Williston, North Dakota, where the Yellowstone River meets the Missouri, this site played a vital role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805-1806. Visitors can start at the Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, which provides exhibits on the expedition, Indigenous history, and the area's fur trade era.

Just a short drive away, Fort Buford State Historic Site offers a glimpse into frontier military history, including the site where Sitting Bull surrendered in 1881. Nearby, Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site—once a major fur trading hub—lets visitors step back into the 19th-century world of trappers, traders, and Native American tribes. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, birdwatching, and scenic river views along the confluence, where the landscape remains much as Lewis and Clark described it over 200 years ago.

Stop 5

Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, 39th Lane Northwest, Williston, ND, USA

Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center

15349 39th Lane Northwest, Williston, ND 58801, USA

Fort Buford State Historic Site

15349 39th Ln NW, Williston, ND 58801, USA

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, North Dakota 1804, Williston, ND, USA

Places to Visit (Sorted by Distance)

Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center
Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center

15349 39th Lane Northwest, Williston, ND 58801, USA

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Fort Buford State Historic Site
Fort Buford State Historic Site

15349 39th Ln NW, Williston, ND 58801, USA

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Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, North Dakota 1804, Williston, ND, USA

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