Getting There

Canyon Creek Battlefield is about 10 miles north of Laurel, Montana on State Highway 532. This is the site of a running battle between the Nez Perce and the 7th Cavalry on September 13, 1877. 

There is a exhibit area at the intersection of MT 532 and MT 401. The pavilion has several interpretive signs to help visitors gain a better understanding of what happened here.

The majority of the battlefield is in private ownership and should not be trespassed upon.

History of the Battle

The Battle of Canyon Creek was one of the last battles of the 1877 War. As the Nez Perce left Yellowstone National Park and headed north towards Canada, they were followed by the 7th Cavalry under Colonel Samuel Sturgis. Both sides were exhausted from their long treks and were surprised to find each other here. The troops charged trying to cut off the fleeing Nez Perce from the relative safety of the trees in Canyon Creek. The 7th tried several avenues of attack and were for the most part thwarted by Nez Perce warriors keeping the soldiers at bay while the elderly, women and children fled. The 7th captured a large part of the Nez Perce horse herd thus slowing the them down on their track north and setting the stage for the Bear Paw battle latter in the month.