Initial Rock Interpretive Site
Custer's 7th Cavalry camped in the hilly terrain of North Dakota Badlands on the evening of May 28, 1876, while en route to the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Two soldiers, W.C. Williams, assigned to Company H, and F. Neely, to Company M, carved their names on a sandstone boulder. The engraving is now called Initial Rock.
Both Williams and Neely survived Little Bighorn.
Read more about Custer's expedition and more on our Discover History page.
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Active Alerts
General Information
Open 24 hours/day
No Fees are required for this site.
Pets are allowed but must remain leashed within the area at all times. Please clean up after your animals.
Contact Name: Medora Ranger District Station
Contact Phone: 701-227-7800
Address: 99 23rd Ave. W. Suite B, Dickinson, ND 58601
Phone: 701-227-7800
Hours: Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm Mountain Time (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 46.80722222
Longitude: -103.4091667
Directions
Initial Rock Historic Site: 139th Ave, 12 Miles SW. SW Corner Section 34 Township 139 N Range 101 W, Belfield, ND. 58622.
From Bismarck, ND: Head west on I-94.
Take Exit 148: Take Exit 148 for ND-10/Belfield.
Follow ND-10 West: Follow ND-10 west for about 12 miles.
Turn South onto 139th Ave: Turn South onto 139th Ave.
Follow 139th Ave: Follow 139th Ave to the site.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
