ZooMontana - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

ZooMontana is open every day of the year with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Inclement weather and special events may alter operational hours. / Summer Hours - (May-September) - 10am-5pm with last admission at 5pm / Winter Hours - (October-April) - 10am-3pm with last admission at 2pm

406-652-8100

Adults: $11.00 / Seniors (Age 55 and Over): $9.00 / Military (With Valid ID): $9.00 / Children (Age 3-15): $8.00 / Children 2 and Under: FREE / School and NonProfit Group Rate: $4.00 Group Rate (12 or More): $7.00 / Parking: FREE

Service animals only

lat: 45.7322656 long: -108.6206567

ZooMontana is an AZA accredited zoological/botanical garden, accredited arboretum and educational facility dedicated to the conservation of wildlife throughout Montana and the 45th parallel of earth. ZooMontana cares for over 80 animals of 56 different species, including Amur Tigers, Grizzly Bear, Wolverine, River Otters, Takin, and Canada Lynx, among others, most of which are rescues. ZooMontana is dedicated to the mantra “quality over quantity,” meaning the focus is not on how many animals the Zoo has, but how well those here are cared for. As one of the few Zoological parks in the country that does not receive public tax support, ZooMontana raises necessary operating funds through admissions, memberships, events and private contributions.

Located in the picturesque tourist destination of Billings, Montana, ZooMontana offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Yellowstone ecosystem fauna through direct observation, interpretive displays, and experiential educational programs. Annually, community and educational programs serve over 15,000 students and over 120,000 visitors, most of whom hail from the northern Rockies. Led by an energetic and dynamic staff, ZooMontana enjoys strong community support through volunteerism, donations, and outreach.

Bruno the Grizzly Bear

Bruno the Grizzly Bear

Amur Tiger Fun

Fierca the Canada Lynx

Fierca the Canada Lynx

Roxie the Box Turtle

Roxie the Box Turtle

Grey Wolf

Baby North American River Otter

Baby North American River Otter

A little Tiger roll in the grass

A little Tiger roll in the grass

Sam the North American River Otter

Sam the North American River Otter

Sydney the Laughing Kookaburra

Sydney the Laughing Kookaburra

Taboo the Tarantula

Taboo the Tarantula

Takin

Bandy the Southern Armadillo

Bandy the Southern Armadillo

A great place to hold an event

A great place to hold an event

Best Buds

A unique and beautiful place to be married

A unique and beautiful place to be married

Holiday Fun

An accredited Arboretum

An accredited Arboretum

Beautiful Grounds

Beautiful Grounds

AZA Accredited

AZA Accredited

Spitzer the African Hedgehog

Spitzer the African Hedgehog

Phe the baby Miniature Donkey

Phe the baby Miniature Donkey

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

The Crossings Bed & Breakfast

The Crossings Bed & Breakfast

1807 Front St, Billings, MT 59101, USA
Distance: 3.40 Away

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Yellowstone Cellars & Winery

Yellowstone Cellars & Winery, Holiday Circle, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 3.41 Away

Food and Drinks Wineries

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Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park, State Secondary Highway 416, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 4.23 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Montana Fun Adventures

Montana Fun Adventures

Montana Fun Adventures, Howard Avenue, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 4.40 Away

Guided Tours Outdoor Experiences

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Zimmerman Park

Zimmerman Park

Zimmerman Park, Montana 3, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 5.10 Away

Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes

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Moss Mansion Museum

Moss Mansion Museum

Moss Mansion, Division Street, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 6.01 Away

Galleries and Venues

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Yellowstone County Museum

Yellowstone County Museum

Yellowstone County Museum, Terminal Circle, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 6.28 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours

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Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum, 2nd Avenue North, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 6.33 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Western Heritage Center

Western Heritage Center

Western Heritage Center, Montana Avenue, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 6.46 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours

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Yellowstone Art Museum

Yellowstone Art Museum

Yellowstone Art Museum, North 27th Street, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 6.61 Away

Galleries and Venues Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Billings, Montana

Billings, Montana

Billings Chamber of Commerce, 815 South 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101, USA
Distance: 6.69 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Harry Koyama Fine Art

Harry Koyama Fine Art

Harry Koyama Fine Art, Montana Avenue, Billings, MT, USA
Distance: 6.71 Away

Galleries and Venues

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Instagram Feed

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you haven’t yet to bring the adventure and magic of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on your mobile device. Scan the QR code here or find it on your app store.

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monum

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monument

William Clark christened the rock formation “Pompey’s Tower” on July 25, 1806, as he and his party descended the Yellowstone River. Clark gave the huge monolith the nickname that he himself had fondly bestowed upon Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Nicholas Biddle, as he edited the journals upon Lewis and Clark’s return, changed the name to “Pompey’s Pillar.”

Pompey’s Pillar is known for being the only site with visible physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s journey: Clark carved his name and the date onto the rock’s face. Now covered by a clear panel, the signature is protected from the elements while still being visible to visitors willing to climb up the steps to see it. Visitors can continue up the steps to the top of the rock where they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape surrounding the site. There is also a highly informative and very well-designed visitor’s center at the base of Pompey’s Pillar, along with several outdoor educational structures and hiking trails.

Photos credited to Cait Clark.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #pompeyspillar #Montana #pompeyspillarnationalmonument

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

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Here’s a summary of a recent video you can find there:

“The phrase "Point of Departure" originates from Captain Meriwether Lewis himself. On May 14, 1804, he wrote in his journal: "The mouth of the River Dubois is to be considered as the point of departure." That spring day, as the Lewis and Clark Expedition set out from what is now Wood River Creek, they embarked on a journey that would reshape the future of the United States.

After more than a year of preparation, the Expedition launched from Camp River Dubois on May 14, 1804. The crew included Captain William Clark, Clark’s enslaved servant York, interpreter George Drouillard, Seaman the dog, 34 enlisted men, and several French engagés—all traveling in a barge and two large pirogues. Their destination: uncharted territory up the Missouri River, starting with a stop in St. Charles where Captain Meriwether Lewis joined them after traveling overland.

Preparation began in December 1803, with winter quarters built at Camp River Dubois, across from the Missouri River’s mouth. Lewis gathered intelligence from St. Louis traders and secured supplies and gifts for diplomacy with Native nations. Meanwhile, the soldiers trained under strict military discipline, preparing for the immense challenges ahead.

A pivotal moment came in March 1804, when Lewis and Clark witnessed the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to France—and then, just one day later, to the United States. This marked the dawn of a new American frontier, and the Expedition was ready to set forth into the unknown.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvhg1Gs3cvs)

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages Nati

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

The Knife River area, according to archaeological studies, has been inhabited by people for over 11,000 years. For hundreds of years it was a significant place of trade for the local tribes, a characteristic that would eventually be used to the advantage of fur traders starting in 1750. It remained a place of trade and mixing cultures until a smallpox epidemic decimated the population in 1837. Following this, the local Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara moved north and established another village.

During the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Knife River villages were flourishing, providing a booming trading economy in what is modern-day North Dakota. It was from one of these villages that a young woman by the name of Sacagawea would emerge and take her place in the history of the expedition. She was Shoshone and had been taken captive by the Hidatsa during a raid against her tribe before she was won or otherwise purchased by French Canadian fur trader Toussaint Charbonneau.

Today, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Park has a visitors center as well as a rebuilt earthlodge which holds replica artifacts in the summer months. Knowledgeable park rangers are available for tours, and there are multiple trails of varying lengths that are available to hike. There are birding checklists available in the visitors center, so make sure to pick one up so you can keep an eye out for the various bird varieties that are present at the site.

https://www.nps.gov/knri/index.htm

Photos credited to Cait Clark

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #kniferiver #kniferiverindianvillagesnationhistoricsite #nationalparkservice #northdakota