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, Private William C. Williams, assigned to Company H, and Private Frank Neely, assigned to Company M, carved their names on a sandstone boulder. The engraving is now called Initial Rock.
Both Williams and Neely survived Little Bighorn.
More details about Initial Rock, and Custer's Yellowstone Expedition are presented on the site's Interpretive Panels displayed in the photo gallery below, and also on the Discover History page.
Click an image to view the photo gallery in full-screen size and read the descriptive captions.
Active Alerts
General Information
The site is under minimal maintenance. Pack-in, Pack-out rules apply. If you bring it in with you, please take it out. Please do not put any trash in the vault toilet.
Year-round.
24/7
Camping is not allowed in day-use only areas.
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: Â (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
Located 40 miles West of Dickinson.
From Dickinson, follow the I-94 for 24 miles and take Exit 36 toward Fryburg.
Turn south onto Main St for 2 miles, then turn west onto 38th St for one half of a mile.
Next, turn south onto 136th Ave and travel 6 miles. The road becomes 43rd St SW (no turn is necessary). Proceed an additional 2 miles.
Turn right onto 139th Ave for 2 miles to the site.
Caution: A low road crossing area is located approximately 1.4 miles down 139th Ave, which may become impassable during high water periods.
Parking
Ample parking available.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Please come prepared.
Other Amenities
Closest Amenities:
- Belfield, ND – Gas station, hotels, restaurants.
- Medora, ND – Gas station, hotels, restaurants.
