Pompeys Pillar National Monument
Episode Guest
John Reffit – Monument Manager
Pompeys Pillar National Monument
Park Stats
Location: Yellowstone County, Montana
Park designation date: January 17, 2021
President when the park was created: Bill Clinton
Park size: 51 acres
Number of Visitors in 2023 – 22,500
Fun Facts:
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- Land was obtained during the Louisiana Purchase
- Named in honor of Sacagawea’s son, John Baptiste Charbonneau. His nickname was “Pomp”
- Pillar rises 120 feet into the sky
- Only formation of it’s kind south of Yellowstone
- Has “W Clark” signature (William Clark from the Lewis and Clark Expedition) on the face of the stone
- 202 stairs to the overlook and 118 to Clark’s signature
Speed Round
What is your earliest park memory?
I think this goes back to camping with my family and my parents taking us to go camping during the summer. We always look forward to this, whether it was by a lake or in the forest. It was just fun to just be out in nature.
What made you love the parks?
When I was growing up and visiting these places and I was like, “there’s people that actually work here. I could do this.” I like being outside. I like working in nature. And that’s what I did and found just a love and adoration for being outside, and also introducing folks to the outdoors,
What is your favorite thing about Pompeys Pillar National Monument?
I would have to say the view from the top overlook and just being able to see so many miles away – different mountain ranges, the landscape and the river.
What is your favorite thing to do at Pompeys Pillar National Monument?
I’m all about making the place look good and presentable. Just to deliver to the visitors and our public that we serve and just giving them a good experience.
What park have you yet to visit but is on your bucket list and why?
So I would say Yosemite. I’ve heard a lot of good things. It’s not too far away, that would be one on my bucket list for sure.
What are three must-haves you pack for a park visit?
- Water
- Snack
- Map…so I know where I am
What is your favorite campfire activity?
For me, it’s gotta be s’mores.
Tent, camper, or cabin?
Well, we’ve done two out of the three. Right now we’re in tents, but we have hammocks.
Hiking with or without trekking poles?
I’ve not done the trekking poles, but I’ve heard a lot of good things. I’d like to try them out. Now that I’m not so young, I think they could come in handy, especially with rugged terrain and just that extra bit of stability.
And what is your favorite trail snack?
Trail mix
What is the best animal sighting that you’ve had?
That would have to be grizzly bears in Yellowstone.
What is your favorite sound in the parks?
I like to hear the birds, all different kinds and just having them talk away.
What is the greatest gift the parks give to us?
I think a lot of folks don’t know about parks. They don’t know that there are special places out there that are that are ours. They’re ours. They’re ours to enjoy and and getting away from the the highways and the concrete jungles and the noise that you hear. Just to get to that peace and quiet and just hear that is natural sounds.
I think is the greatest gift that parks give us that sense of solitude that you can find in some places like you’re the only one there and that’s okay. And that’s what they’re there for. They’re there for you to explore and enjoy.