Visit Fort Lapwai

Fort Lapwai played a key role in the events leading up to the Flight of 1877 when General Oliver O. Howard, commanding officer of the Department of the Columbia ordered Chief Joseph’s band to move from their homeland in the Wallowa’s of northeast Oregon to the new reservation in Idaho. When war broke, Fort Lapwai was the center of operations until the Nez Perce crossed the Bitterroot Mountains into western Montana.

This page provides the information you need to plan your trip.

 

The Officers Quarters is one of the few surviving structures from Fort Lapwai. It is owned by the Nez Perce Tribe and is not accessible to the public.

NPS Photo

Getting to Fort Lapwai

Fort Lapwai is approximately 4.3 miles south of the Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center in Lapwai, Idaho.

Location:

• Latitude/Longitude:
  46°23'38.46"N 116°48'8.47"W

Driving to Fort Lapwai

From the Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center in Lapwai, ID, take U.S. Highway 95 South for 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Agency Drive. In 0.2 miles turn left onto A Street. The Fort Lapwai Officers Quarters are at the end of the block on your right.

Things to Do at Fort Lapwai

Explore the Site

The Officers Quarters is one of the few surviving structures from Fort Lapwai. It is owned by the Nez Perce Tribe and is not accessible to the public. In front of the building there is an interpretive sign that talks about Fort Lapwai.

Nearby Amenities

Fort Lawpai is located approximately 4.3 miles south of the Nez Perce National Historical Park's visitor center where further information is available.

In addition, the Idaho Department of Commerce has a trip planning website that will help you locate hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and other amenities near Fort Lapwai.