Accessibility

Big Hole National Battlefield may be a small park with a small staff but we think that everyone should be able to experience our park to the fullest. With that in mind, the staff here has been working with various institutions and agencies to bring the story of what happened here to everyone who visits.

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center's exhibits and restrooms are fully wheelchair accessible. Audio description and a braille guide are available for all exhibits. The 3-D map is designed to be touched and has a braille legend and braille features on the map. The park's award winning film Weet'uciklitukt: There's No Turning Back, Battle at Big Hole is close-captioned, the theater is wheelchair accessible and has two wheelchair designated seating spaces. There is also a wheelchair available to borrow if needed.

One sign language interpreter is available on site Monday through Friday, but her services must be requested in advance. If you would like to use this service, please email us or call [phone].

Viewing Deck

The outside observation deck is wheelchair accessible and has one lowered viewing scope that can be used to look out over the battlefield.

Trails

The Nez Perce Camp Trail is 1.6 mile round-trip walking trail across relatively flat terrain. Wheel chair users are usually able to make it out to the site of the Nez Perce camp in most weather conditions, though assistance makes the trip easier. The surface is packed earth and may be muddy in the early summer or rutted when dry. A wheelchair is located at the visitor center if you need to borrow one.

The park's other two trails are not flat. Most of the Siege area trail is wide and level enough that it could be traversed by a wheel chair user, though assistance makes the trip easier. More details about the park's trails can be found on the hiking page.

Service Animals

Qualified service animals trained to assist people with disabilities are always welcome in all park facilities and on all trails. Service animals must be leashed. For the definition of a service animal please visit the Department of Justice ADA webpage. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA, and are not allowed in park facilities or on park trails.

When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, staff may ask two questions:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Staff cannot ask about the person's disability, require medical documentation, require a special identification card or training documentation for the dog, or ask that the dog demonstrate its ability to perform the work or task.