Pictograph Cave

Pictograph Cave is actually three connected caves—Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost—carved into a sandstone cliff along the Yellowstone River. They contain rock paintings and evidence of human activity that stretches back thousands of years.

Major excavations in the 1930s and 1940s unearthed tens of thousands of artifacts that proved people lived here and visited over many thousands of years. These discoveries established this site as one of the most important archaeological records in the region.

The paintings on these rock walls show animals, warriors, and rifles, telling the story of Native American life and how it changed after Europeans arrived. Walking past these images gives you a sense of the people who lived here and what mattered to them.

A paved loop trail with interpretive signs guides you through the site, and a visitor center provides information throughout the day. The facilities are accessible, making it easy to explore the caves and surrounding landscape on your own.

A turtle painting deep within the rock walls is the oldest artwork at this site, scientifically dated to around 2,100 years ago. This single image offers a rare glimpse into the artistic traditions of people who lived here in ancient times.