Travel To Montana

Located about 6 miles southeast of Billings Montana, Pictograph Cave State Park is a complex of three caves, Pictograph Cave, Middle Cave and Ghost Cave.

Two of the three caves contain evidence of habitation dating back over 4500 years ago! Named after the Pictographs the cave contains, some of them are dated to be from 2200 years ago.

There have been over 30,000 artifacts found and identified in the park. Paved trails have been created so you can view the pictographs or rock paintings still visible in Pictograph Cave, the largest cave of the three. The site contains 106 rock paintings, mostly colored red and white and occasionally yellow. Typical pictures are of warriors, turtles, bears and bison. They were first documented by H. Melville Sayre during an excavation in 1937. This same excavation revealed tools made of stone and bones, projectile points, a carved amulet, pottery shards and burned bone. Also found were the graves of nine individuals.

Pictograph Cave is considered one of the most significant archaeological sites in Montana alongside Ulm Pishkun, Valley of the Cheifs, Mill Iron and the Anzick Site. The cave is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

Pictograph Cave State Park is open from April 15th until October 15th from 8:00am to 8:00 pm. Many Activities are offered including Hiking, History, Photography, Picnicking and Wildlife Viewing. There is a paved trail that is handicap accessible and pets are allowed as well!