Initial Rock

Neat to see and there’s a huge petrified tree right above/behind it that’s not mentioned. That made it extra awesome plus the scenery is beautiful. It’s out in the boonies but there’s still a nice parking area and bathroom! I was surprised by that. I went in early winter with little snow so it was an easy drive but if it’s at all wet or raining I probably wouldn’t recommend trying to go, the roads get awful nasty. Also don’t try to drive across the creek right past the parking lot if there’s a puddle, it’s much deeper than you’d think and it’s a long walk to help.

This place is a real jewel in history! Other than some a-holes carving their initials in the rocks inside the protected case, the names are well preserved and easy to read...we were massively impressed. Custer and the army passed here and, due to a couple of privates on a follow-up security detail, carved their names here in the 1870's.... and other than journals, one of the only concrete pieces of evidence they were here.
If you listen really hard, you can almost hear and imagine the sound of wagons, horses and soldiers traveling by.
A little hard to find and travel down a dirt road (you don't want to come here when it's raining or wet...). Nice, quiet, parking area with pit toilets. All the information on signs about this area, the troops, and family that homesteaded here and donated to the park service. If you're a history buff....or not, this'll be worth your time and effort

Nice piece of history and never a lot of traffic. Beautiful place to visit