Big Hole National Battlefield

Big Hole
National Battlefield

Welcome to Big Hole National Battlefield!

Big Hole National Battlefield is a memorial to the people who fought and died here on August 9 and 10, 1877; combatants in a five month conflict that came to be called the Nez Perce War of 1877. Like other Indian Wars in the late 1800's, the Nez Perce War involved two very different groups with very different outlooks on land rights, civilian authority, government powers, social organization, and the responsibilities of the individuals to society.
In 1992, legislation incorporated Big Hole National Battlefield with Nez Perce National Historical Park, making it part of a unique park consisting of 38 different sites located in five states; Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Two Visitor Centers service the park, one at Spalding, Idaho, 11 miles east of Lewiston, and the other at Big Hole National Battlefield, 10 miles west of Wisdom, Montana. Both facilities are staffed year around by uniformed personnel who can answer your questions about the local area, the Nez Perce People and the War of 1877. Movies, museum exhibits, and guided tours are available at both facilities covering a variety of topics on the Nez Perce Culture and History. Although there is no Visitor Center at Bear Paw Battlefield located in Chinook, Montana, there is a nice display and video on the battle at the Blaine County Museum in Chinook.
In 1877, about 750 non-treaty Nez Perce fled Idaho in the face of demands from the US Army that all Nez Perce move onto a reservation a fraction from the size of their traditional homeland. The Army was enforcing a national policy of placing all American Indians on reservations to make way for the westward expansion of the young United States.
In early August, the non-treaty Nez Perce camped for several days along the North Fork of the Big Hole River. They knew they had crossed into Montana Territory, and believed they were safe from further pursuit. Just before daybreak on August 9, 1877, military forces attacked them as they rested after six weeks of conflict and flight.
Although the soldiers and civilian volunteers attacked the village while most of the Nez Perce slept, the warriors quickly mounted a resistance and drove the military men to retreat to a wooded hill nearby. The soldiers dug trenches for protection, but the Nez Perce warriors surrounded the fortified hill and held the soldiers there. Meanwhile, the older men, women and children in the camp buried the dead and fled again.
The Battle of the Big Hole lasted less than 36 hours, yet casualties were dreadfully high. Between 60 and 90 Nez Perce men, women, and children were killed, most in the initial attack on the sleeping camp. How many Nez Perce were wounded in the battle is impossible to say, but the number is doubtlessly high. Twenty-two soldiers, a civilian guide, and five civilian volunteers were killed, and 39 more were severely wounded.
From the Big Hole, the Nez Perce continued to flee from the military, traveling east through Yellowstone National Park, then turning northward and moving toward the Canadian border. There were several skirmishes and encounters with federal troops in the weeks that followed the Battle of the Big Hole, but it wasn't until early October that the US Army finally succeeded in forcing most of the non-treaty Nez Perce to surrender. About 150 escaped into Canada.
Most of the military men and civilian volunteers who fought at the Big Hole returned to their posts or homes in Western Montana. General Howard, the officer with primary responsibility for the Nez Perce Campaign, arrived from Idaho with his troops to take up the chase just two days after the military defeat here.

Location Southwestern Montana
Visitation About 60,000 per year: highest June through September; lowest November through January.
Address Big Hole National Battlefield
P.O. Box 237
Wisdom, MT 59761
Telephone (406) 689-3155
Operating Hours Daily Summer: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Daily Winter: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
Climate, Recommended Clothing Summers generally cool and breezy, with impressive mosquito populations in June and early July. Summer thunderstorms are not uncommon. Winters are frigid with deep snow. Bug repellent is necessary in early summer; and layers of warm clothing recommended in winter.

Directions Big Hole National Battlefield is located ten miles west of Wisdom, Montana on state highway 43. From I-15 at Dillon, Montana take highway 287 northwest to Wisdom, then highway 43, ten miles west. From I-15 at Divide, take route 43 west through Wisdom to Battlefield. From Missoula, Montana, take state route 93 south through the Bitterroot Valley to Lost Trail Pass. Turn east on highway 43 and drive 17 miles to the battlefield.
Transportation Big Hole National Battlefield is approximately 75 miles southwest of Butte, Montana and about 110 miles southeast of Missoula, Montana. There is no public transportation to the park.
Fees Summertime only: two dollars per person or four dollars per family. Golden Age, Golden Access and Golden Eagle Passes will be honored.
Reservations/Permits Reservations for school groups and other groups should be made three weeks prior to your visit. Filming permits are arranged on an individual basis. For additional information concerning reservations or filming permits, call (406) 689-3155.

Facilities and Opportunities Visitor Center, Exhibits
The visitor center houses a small museum with exhibits of Nez Perce, military clothing and equipment, a 12 minute introductory video presentation, books sales, area information, and a Junior Ranger activity program for first through eighth grade.
A minimum of four hours is recommended to view the museum exhibits, watch the introductory film and walk the battlefield trails. Fishing (state license required), photography and wildlife watching (moose, elk, raptors) are additional recreational opportunities that are available within the park.
Trails, Roads
All are welcome to take a Self-Guided walk through the battlefield from sunrise to sunset, daily. Guided walks are offered during the summer months.
The road to the battlefield is closed in late autumn due to snow. The visitor center remains open daily, and the battlefield is accessible to skiers or snowshoers. The road normally reopens in late April, but the exact date of reopening is weather dependent.

The Nez Perce Camp Trail leads 1.2 miles round trip, to the site where the Nez Perce were camped and attacked by United State Army soldiers and civilian volunteers on the night of August 9, 1887.
The Siege Trail leads 1 mile round trip, to the area where the soldiers and volunteers were held under siege by NezPerce warriors.

Programs, Activities
Regularly scheduled ranger guided tours are available daily, in the summer. Educational programs for schools are given throughout the school year. Other groups are welcome and will be accommodated as staffing permits. Reservations for school programs and other group tours required.
Nez Perce, Military, and Volunteer descendants come to the battlefield to commemorate all those who fought here each year in early August. Call for dates and event listings at (406) 689-3155.
Lodging and Camping Facilities in the Park
There is none in the park. Camping is available at several United States Forest Service campgrounds within 20 miles; two small motels offer rooms in Wisdom. More accommodations are available in Jackson, at Lost Trail Pass, Dillon, Butte, Hamilton and Missoula.
Food/Supplies
There is no food service at the Battlefield. Wisdom, 10 miles west, has two cafes and a small grocery store.
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities
The park bookshop, operated by the Glacier Natural History Association, is located in the visitor center. Literature with a special emphasis on the Nez Perce War, the Nez Perce culture, military life in the late 1800's and Montana natural history is available. For more information or a mail order catalog, call(406) 689-3155.
Accessibility
The visitor center, rest rooms and picnic area are accessible. The trails may be accessible to wheelchair users with help. They are packed earth and can be muddy in spring.

Adjacent Visitor Attractions

Bannack State Park, 60 miles southeast near Dillon, Montana;
Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 75 miles northwest in Deer Lodge, Montana.
Nez Perce National Historical Park.
Nez Perce Tribe
Fort Walsh National Historic Site (Parks Canada)

Additional Information Big Hole Battlefield relies on the generous donation of time from two or three dedicated volunteers every summer. If you are interested in applying as a volunteer, please visit Volunteers In Parks or call (406) 689-3155 for more information.
Students interested in summer internships at Big Hole National Battlefield or any other park area should visit the Student Conservation Association or call (603) 543-1700 for more information.

Learn more about the park, its environment, and NPS management by reading the following:

General Management Plan

Administrative History

Big Hole National Battlefield is a unit of the Nez Perce National Historical Park and is part of the Columbia Cascades Cluster

*Location*	Southwestern Montana
*Visitation*	About 60,000 per year: highest June through September; lowest November through January.
*Address*	Big Hole National Battlefield P.O. Box 237 Wisdom, MT 59761
*Telephone*	(406) 689-3155
*Operating Hours*	Daily Summer: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Daily Winter: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
*Climate, Recommended Clothing*	Summers generally cool and breezy, with impressive mosquito populations in June and early July. Summer thunderstorms are not uncommon. Winters are frigid with deep snow. Bug repellent is necessary in early summer; and layers of warm clothing recommended in winter.
*Directions*	Big Hole National Battlefield is located ten miles west of Wisdom, Montana on state highway 43. From I-15 at Dillon, Montana take highway 287 northwest to Wisdom, then highway 43, ten miles west. From I-15 at Divide, take route 43 west through Wisdom to Battlefield. From Missoula, Montana, take state route 93 south through the Bitterroot Valley to Lost Trail Pass. Turn east on highway 43 and drive 17 miles to the battlefield.
*Transportation*	Big Hole National Battlefield is approximately 75 miles southwest of Butte, Montana and about 110 miles southeast of Missoula, Montana. There is no public transportation to the park.
*Fees*	Summertime only: two dollars per person or four dollars per family. Golden Age, Golden Access and Golden Eagle Passes will be honored.
*Reservations/Permits*	Reservations for school groups and other groups should be made three weeks prior to your visit. Filming permits are arranged on an individual basis. For additional information concerning reservations or filming permits, call (406) 689-3155.
*Facilities and Opportunities*	*Visitor Center, Exhibits* The visitor center houses a small museum with exhibits of Nez Perce, military clothing and equipment, a 12 minute introductory video presentation, books sales, area information, and a Junior Ranger activity program for first through eighth grade. A minimum of four hours is recommended to view the museum exhibits, watch the introductory film and walk the battlefield trails. Fishing (state license required), photography and wildlife watching (moose, elk, raptors) are additional recreational opportunities that are available within the park. *Trails, Roads* All are welcome to take a Self-Guided walk through the battlefield from sunrise to sunset, daily. Guided walks are offered during the summer months. The road to the battlefield is closed in late autumn due to snow. The visitor center remains open daily, and the battlefield is accessible to skiers or snowshoers. The road normally reopens in late April, but the exact date of reopening is weather dependent. The Nez Perce Camp Trail leads 1.2 miles round trip, to the site where the Nez Perce were camped and attacked by United State Army soldiers and civilian volunteers on the night of August 9, 1887. The Siege Trail leads 1 mile round trip, to the area where the soldiers and volunteers were held under siege by NezPerce warriors. *Programs, Activities* Regularly scheduled ranger guided tours are available daily, in the summer. Educational programs for schools are given throughout the school year. Other groups are welcome and will be accommodated as staffing permits. Reservations for school programs and other group tours required. Nez Perce, Military, and Volunteer descendants come to the battlefield to commemorate all those who fought here each year in early August. Call for dates and event listings at (406) 689-3155. *Lodging and Camping Facilities in the Park* There is none in the park. Camping is available at several United States Forest Service campgrounds within 20 miles; two small motels offer rooms in Wisdom. More accommodations are available in Jackson, at Lost Trail Pass, Dillon, Butte, Hamilton and Missoula. *Food/Supplies* There is no food service at the Battlefield. Wisdom, 10 miles west, has two cafes and a small grocery store. *Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities* The park bookshop, operated by the Glacier Natural History Association, is located in the visitor center. Literature with a special emphasis on the Nez Perce War, the Nez Perce culture, military life in the late 1800's and Montana natural history is available. For more information or a mail order catalog, call(406) 689-3155. *Accessibility* The visitor center, rest rooms and picnic area are accessible. The trails may be accessible to wheelchair users with help. They are packed earth and can be muddy in spring.
*Adjacent Visitor Attractions*	Bannack State Park, 60 miles southeast near Dillon, Montana; Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 75 miles northwest in Deer Lodge, Montana. Nez Perce National Historical Park. Nez Perce Tribe Fort Walsh National Historic Site (Parks Canada)
*Additional Information*	Big Hole Battlefield relies on the generous donation of time from two or three dedicated volunteers every summer. If you are interested in applying as a volunteer, please visit Volunteers In Parks or call (406) 689-3155 for more information. Students interested in summer internships at Big Hole National Battlefield or any other park area should visit the Student Conservation Association or call (603) 543-1700 for more information.

Last Updated:Friday, 12-Nov-2004 http://www.nps.gov/biho/home.htm