Visit this landmark 424-foot high rock formation noted in the journal of the Lewis & Clark Expedition and known to many Native American tribes centuries before.
About the Park
Tower Rock was a landmark for native tribes, the Corps of Discovery, fur trappers, traders and many more that followed in their footsteps.
The 400-foot high igneous rock formation lies in a 140-acre site along the stretch of the Missouri River. Now a state park, visitors can learn about the geology and history of the site with five interpretive panels located at the trail head. The trail to the base of the saddle is maintained for a quarter-mile.
Tower Rock State Park is a day use only park.
Many Native American tribes used the rock as a landmark when they were entering and leaving the rich buffalo grounds of today's north central Montana.
Captain Meriwether Lewis noted in his journal "an Indian road enters the mountain at the same place with the river on the Stard side and continues along it's border under the steep clifts." Lewis also wrote, "At this place there is a large rock of 400 feet high wich stands immediately in the gap which the Missouri makes on it's passage from the mountains... This rock I called the tower. It may be ascended with some difficulty nearly to it's summit and from it there is a most pleasing view of the country we are now about to leave. From it I saw that evening immense herds of buffaloe in the plains below." Meriwether Lewis, July 16, 1805
Activities
Heritage
Hiking
History
Lewis And Clark
Photography
Picnicking
Amenities
Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.
Maps
Parking
Pets Allowed
Toilets (Vault)
Seasons & Hours
Hours listed below are normal operating hours and may not apply when there is a special restriction or closure. Check Alerts and Closures in the tab below.
See a current list of Restrictions and Closures on State Parks and other FWP lands that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities.
Volunteer
Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Tower Rock State Park.
For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.
Fees
Montana Residents
Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply.
Nonresidents
Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8
Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4
With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Tower Rock State Park
c/o First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
PO Box 109
Ulm, MT 59485
To keep our state parks safe and accessible to all, make sure you know before you go, practice physical distancing, plan ahead, play it safe, explore locally, leave no trace, respect wildlife, and do your part to build an inclusive outdoors.
Clark Carlson-Thompson, manager at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park and Tower Rock State Park is originally from Helena, MT. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management from the University of Montana. Clark’s experience includes several seasons with the National Park Service at Hovenweep National Monument and Devil’s Tower National Monument, Park Ranger at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, and most recently, Park Manager at Giant Springs State Park.
CONTACT INFO Mailing Address:
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
PO Box 109
Ulm, MT 59485
