A place like no other near Butte in Montana
Our Lady of the Rockies is a striking 90-foot steel statue of the Virgin Mary perched dramatically on the West Ridge of the Rocky Mountains overlooking Butte, Montana. Standing at an elevation of 6,200 feet above sea level, this iconic landmark has become one of Montana’s most cherished religious and scenic attractions since its completion in 1985. The statue is visible for miles from Interstate 90 and Interstate 15, serving as a beacon that draws visitors to the Butte area. The statue depicts Mary standing atop a globe, with her arms open in a gesture of welcome and protection over the city below.
The story of Our Lady of the Rockies began with Robert C. Qually, a Butte businessman and lifelong Catholic who first envisioned the statue in 1949. Qually made a promise to build a shrine to the Virgin Mary if he survived a serious health crisis, and he kept that vow for more than three decades before his death in 1982. His dream was carried forward by the Our Lady of the Rockies organization, which oversaw the fundraising and construction of the statue using private donations. Construction was completed in 1984, and the statue was officially dedicated on July 4, 1985.
The statue is constructed of steel and concrete, designed to withstand the harsh mountain environment including high winds, heavy snow, and extreme temperature variations. The internal structure includes a spiral staircase that allows visitors to access a viewing platform at the base of the statue, though the platform is not always open to the public. The site has since grown to include a small chapel built from native stone where visitors can pray and reflect.
The journey to the statue is part of the experience, as the winding mountain road provides sweeping panoramic views that stretch for dozens of miles across southwestern Montana’s mountain landscape. On clear days, the vista extends to surrounding mountain ranges and valleys, making it a photographer’s paradise, especially during sunrise and sunset when the light casts dramatic shadows across the statue and the landscape below. Visitors who make the journey up the winding West Ridge Road are rewarded with views that few other Montana attractions can match.
The best time to visit Our Lady of the Rockies is from May through October, when the mountain road is accessible and the site is open to visitors. The summer months of June, July, and August offer the most reliable weather conditions, though afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains. During these months, a shuttle service operates on weekends, transporting visitors from a parking area to the statue base, which helps reduce congestion on the narrow mountain road. Spring and fall visits offer their own rewards with fewer crowds and the opportunity to experience the changing colors of the mountain landscape.