Big Hole National Battlefield

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Multiple tepee poles and a river are silhouetted against a dawn sky.
Today tepee poles stand sentinel at the site of August 9th, 1877 dawn attack at the Big Hole.
Blue camas flowers dot a green field with tepee poles in the background.
The Nez Perce chose their camp site in the Big Hole in part due to the Camas, whose roots they gathered prior to the August 9th attack.
a cannon overlooks a valley and distant mountains
Nez Perce warriors captured and dismantled the Mountain Howitzer cannon before the US army could use it effectively at the Battle of the Big Hole.
cross country skis rest against a large granite monument on a snowy day.
In 1883 the United States Government erected this monument in honor of the soldiers and volunteers that served and died at the 1877 Battle of the Big Hole.
Stone carving of a Nez Perce Warrior's head in full regalia.
This monument, erected on the Big Hole Battlefield in 1928, reads; "To the everlasting memory of the brave warriors Chief Joseph's Band who fought on these grounds in the Nez Perce War of 1877."
Three large stone monuments and four interpretive signs overlook a series of low hills.
Photos: National Park Service

About Big Hole National Battlefield

On August 9, 1877, gunshots shattered a chilly dawn on a sleeping camp of nımí·pu· (Nez Perce). By the time the smoke cleared on August 10, almost 90 nımí·pu· were dead, along with 31 soldiers and volunteers. Big Hole National Battlefield was created to honor all who were there.

Quick Facts

State Montana
Designation National Battlefield
State Code MT
Weather This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Wisdom has a humid continental climate.

Location & Map

Big Hole National Battlefield is located in Montana.

Operating Hours

The grounds and trails at Big Hole National Battlefield are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Wednesday Sunrise to Sunset
Monday Sunrise to Sunset
Thursday Sunrise to Sunset
Sunday Sunrise to Sunset
Tuesday Sunrise to Sunset
Friday Sunrise to Sunset
Saturday Sunrise to Sunset

Activities

Arts and Culture Cultural Demonstrations Fishing Freshwater Fishing Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hiking Front-Country Hiking Junior Ranger Program Skiing Cross-Country Skiing Snowshoeing Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Park Film Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Getting There

Big Hole National Battlefield is located on Highway 43 ten miles west of the town of Wisdom in southwestern Montana. Bear Paw Battlefield is located on Route 240 sixteen miles south of the town of Chinook in north-central Montana.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 16425 Highway 43 West, Wisdom, MT, 59761
Phone 4066893155
Email biho_visitor_information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Military Infantry and Militia US Army Indigenous and Native Warrior Battlefields Monuments and Memorials Native American Heritage Tragic Events Massacres Wars and Conflicts Tribal Conflicts Indian and Frontier Wars Westward Expansion Trails

Things To Do

Explore the Walking Trails

Explore the Walking Trails

Explore the battlefield through 3 different trails: the Nez Perce camp trail (1.6 miles round trip with no elevation gain,…

Visitor Centers

Visitor Center at the Big Hole National Battlefield

The park's visitor center offers museum exhibits, a film, and a book sales area. The award-winning film Weet'uciklitukt: There's No Turning Back, Battle at Big…

Hours: The park's visitor center offers museum exhibits, a film, and a book sales area. The award winning film Weet'uciklitukt: There's No Turning Back, Battle at Big Hole provides an introduction to the Nez Perce Flight of 1877 and the battle that took place at this site. The film is shown throughout the day and is close-captioned. Audio and braille guides are available upon request. Please see exceptions to our standard operating hours below.

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