Our Lady of the RockiesAbout Our Lady of the Rockies
Our Lady of the Rockies is a large statue of the Virgin Mary located on a summit above Butte, Montana, erected as a public devotional memorial. The figure is a prominent visual landmark overlooking the city.
Visitors come for the monument itself and the viewpoints it provides over Butte and the surrounding mountain landscape; the location is used for both pilgrimage and tourism. A paved access road and short walks lead to viewing areas and interpretive signage.
The statue was commissioned and built by local community organizations as a devotional memorial and was dedicated in the 1980s. The project involved volunteer labor and fundraising from local supporters.
The monument sits on a prominent summit above the city of Butte in southwestern Montana and is visible from the urban area below.
- Commemorative purpose: The statue is a large landmark visible from much of the surrounding area and was created as a public memorial to mothers and as a local devotional site.
What to See#
- Viewing area: A roadside viewing and pilgrimage area at the statue site providing panoramic views over Butte and surrounding ranges.
- Access road and facilities: Access road and small visitor facilities that serve people visiting the statue and the summit precinct.
Best Time to Visit Our Lady of the Rockies
Best visited in late spring through early fall for reliable road access and clear views.
Weather & Climate near Our Lady of the Rockies
Our Lady of the Rockies's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -14°C to 23°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -14° - -1° | -13° | 23 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -12° - 1° | -10° | 16 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -9° - 3° | -8° | 25 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -5° - 7° | -3° | 33 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -1° - 12° | 3° | 59 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 3° - 18° | 11° | 61 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 6° - 23° | 14° | 37 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 5° - 22° | 14° | 41 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 1° - 16° | 7° | 40 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -4° - 11° | 0° | 25 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -9° - 2° | -8° | 23 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -14° - -1° | -13° | 23 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Our Lady of the Rockies
The statue is accessible from Butte, Montana. Drive up the road from town toward the summit access (local signs will guide to the shrine). The nearest major airport is Bert Mooney Airport (Butte), and the site is about a 10-20 minute drive from central Butte depending on the route and season.
Tips for Visiting Our Lady of the Rockies
- Drive after dawn or before dusk for the best light on the statue and fewer visitors.
- The access road can be steep and narrow; a high-clearance vehicle is helpful in winter.
- Combine with a visit to the nearby Mount Helena city trails to turn the stop into a full outdoor day.