Besides having a striking appearance, LaBarge Rock is located in a picturesque riverside setting which has attracted artists and photographers over two centuries.

The pillar is composed of massive dark alkilik igneous rock, in striking contrast to the long white sandstone cliffs that form its backdrop.

Because of the isolation of the Missouri Breaks area LaBarge Rock and the White Cliffs appear today much as they did when seen by Lewis and Clark in 1804 on the outward leg of their journey of exploration.

[3] Occasionally the land form is called La Barge Rock, an alternative spelling of Captain LaBarge's name.

Historically, the pillar was formed as an "intrusion" during the Paleogene to late Cretaceous geologic period (about 66 million years ago).

Because of the White Cliffs' arresting appearance which received recent exposure from Stephen Ambrose's book on the Lewis and Clark's Expedition, "Undaunted Courage",[10] there have been growing numbers wishing to float this portion of the Missouri from Coal Banks Landing (BLM Mile 41) to Judith Landing (BLM Mile 88).

[11] Karl Bodmer (1809–1893) was a Swiss painter who accompanied German explorer Prince Maximilian from 1832 through 1834 on his Missouri River expedition in the then remote regions of the American west.

Thomas Hart Benton painted 'Lewis and Clark at Eagle Creek' in his unique style in 1967, but the angle of view of this painting is such that it does not depict LaBarge Rock, focusing instead on another view from Eagle Creek of the spectacle of the White Cliffs running along the river.

An internet search of images for "LaBarge Rock" will reward the searcher with a variety of photographic views of the land form.

The most common way to visit the White Cliffs area, including LaBarge Rock is to float this section of the Missouri River.

The White Cliffs section of the river may be boated in one long day trip, from Coal Banks Landing (BLM mile-mark 41) to Judith Landing (BLM mile-mark 88) if a motorized boat is utilized,[17] or during a more relaxed float-and-paddle river expedition lasting several days.