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Nez Perce National Historical ParkGetting Around the Park - A view of Highway 12
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Nez Perce National Historical Park
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Nez Perce National Historical Park is big - - thirty-eight sites in four states that encompasses 9,000 years of history.  If you only have a few hours or a few days, you can learn about a people and places who have called this home since the beginning of time.

 

What can I do in a couple of hours . . . .

  • Come and visit the park visitor center at the Spalding site. See the park film, "Nez Perce: Portrait of a People", tour the exhibit, and see the historical area.

What can I do in a day . . . .

  • Take the Idaho loop via Hwy 12 and 95. There are many sites to visit. Some are pullouts with signs, others are places to visit and walk like the Whitebird battlefield, see the Heart of the Monster, and visit canoe camp.
  • From Lewiston, the Wallowa's are just a few hours a way. On the way is an overlook at Joseph Canyon. close to the traditional birth site of Chief Joseph. Near the town of Joseph is a cemetery with the grave of Chief Joseph's father.

What can I do in a couple of days . . . .

  • Drive east over Highway 12 to Montana and follow the route of the Nez Perce Trail and the battlefields of the 1877 war. There is a visitor center at Big Hole with a film and walking trails.
  • Other sites in Montana include Camas Meadows, Yellowstone National Park, Canyon Creek, and the last battle of the war at Bear Paw.
 Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Explore the Lewis and Clark Trail
link to the trail web site
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 Nez Perce National Historical Trail
Explore the Nez Perce Trail
link to the trail web site
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Canoe Camp. At the end of September, 1805, the expedition built canoes here for the last leg of their journey to the Pacific.  

Did You Know?
Nez Perce National Historical Park has three sites used by the Lewis and Clark expedition - the Weippe Prairie (1805), Canoe Camp (1805), and Long Camp (1806). The Lolo Trail, the ancient travel route used by the expedition in 1805 and 06 is also included as a park site.

Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:22 EST