Bigfoot Pass Overlook

Bigfoot Pass was a route used by Lakota leader Spotted Elk to evade the US Army.

NPS Photo / Ed Welsh

Quick Facts

Location:

Wall, SD

Significance:

Aside from being an impressive geologic vista, Big Foot Pass is also a historic area which marks the route of Chief Spotted Elk on his way to Wounded Knee.

Amenities

7 listed

Accessible Sites, Parking - Auto, Parking - Bus/RV, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot

Aside from being an impressive geologic vista, Big Foot Pass is also a historic area.  After the murder of Sitting Bull on December 15, 1890, approximately 200 Hunkpapa Lakota fled to join Chief Spotted Elk, also known as Big Foot, and his band of Miniconjou Lakota at the Cheyenne Reservation.  This group departed for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation on December 23, seeking refuge with Chief Red Cloud.  Five days later, a detachment of the 7th Calvary met the traveling group and escorted them to Wounded Knee Creek. The next day (December 29, 1890), tensions rose and the 7th Calvary massacred an estimated 150-300 men, women, and children at Wounded Knee.