Stunning Pictographs Can be Found in Montana’s Pryor Mountains

The Pryor Mountains in south-central Montana are beautiful and are filled with secrets to be discovered. Not only do the Pryors have numerous interesting caves (including the ice caves), but the area has plenty of evidence of early use by Indigenous people, dating back an estimated 10,000 years.

A non-profit called the Pryors Coalition shares extensive information about this interesting mountain range, with its northern edge located just 40 miles south of Billings. They note the historical significance of this area to Native tribes and how it remains a spiritually sacred place for the Crow Tribe to this day.

Countless artifacts and evidence of its historical importance have been discovered in the Pryors. Hundreds of tipi rings have been identified. Quarries where stone was collected for tool making have been found, and several vision quest sites are among the most exciting discoveries.

Then, there are the pictographs and petroglyphs.

Petroglyphs are made by tapping or chipping dots into a stone surface to create an image. Kind of like individual pixels, only on a much larger scale and in stone, instead of light. Petryoglyph Canyon in the Pryors is a great example.

Pictographs were created by Indigenous people using homemade dyes. Many of us have seen examples at Pictograph Cave State Park just outside of Billings. However, the Pryor Mountains also contain some incredible examples of Native pictographs at a place called Weatherman's Draw (sometimes referred to as Valley of the Chiefs).

Please Tread Lightly and leave no trace.

While exploring public lands in the Pryor Mountains, please remember a few important things:

• Trails and primitive roads in the Pryors can become a nightmare when it rains. The clay/bentonite mud is no joke.
• This is rattlesnake country! Pay attention to where you step and keep a close eye on pets and children.
• Defacing archeological sites is illegal, not to mention disgraceful.
• Do not take any artifacts home (unless it's litter).
• Keep motorized vehicles on trails.

Take plenty of pictures and enjoy exploring the Pryor Mountains of Montana. We think you'll find them magical too.