Montana Big Hole National Battlefield map and highlights

Basic information for visitors to the Big  Hole National Battlefield In southwestern Montana, near Wisdom.     

Big Hole National Battlefield in southwestern Montana, near Wisdom.     

One of the West's most tragic stories played out on this  battlefield. In 1877 the U.S. Army was charged with forcing resistant  Nez Perce Indians onto a reservation in Idaho. In the same year, a few  Nez Perce warriors killed several white settlers as retribution for Nez  Perce deaths and mistreatment at the hands of white people. The  bloodshed provoked a massive manhunt and the beginning of a 1,500-mi  odyssey. The Nez Perce fled north from their homeland in central Idaho,  pursued by the U.S. Army. The tribe engaged 10 separate U.S. commands in  13 battles and skirmishes. One of the fiercest of these took place at  Big Hole Battlefield, where both sides suffered serious losses. The site  was established as a national monument in 1910, transferred to the Park  Service in 1933, and changed to a National Battlefield in 1963.     

      

WHAT TO SEE & DO     

Cross-country skiing, fishing, picnicking, snowshoeing, touring  battlefield, watching introductory video. Facilities: Visitor center,  museum, movie, guided tours, hiking trails. Book and map sales, picnic  tables. Programs & Events: Guided hikes, interpretive talks  (June-Aug.). Big Hole Battle Annual Commemoration (weekend near Aug. 9).  Tips & Hints: Busiest July and Aug., least crowded Dec. and Jan.     

      

FOOD, LODGING & SUPPLIES     

& Camping: None at site. In Beaverhead-Deerlodge National  Forest: May Creek Campground (Rte. 43, 17 mi west of Wisdom, tel.  406/689-3243; 21 sites; $7; pit toilets; closed Labor Day-July). S  Hotels: None in park. In Jackson: Jackson Hot Springs Lodge (Rte. 278,  tel. 406/834-3151; 20 rooms; $33-$75). In Wisdom: Nez Perce Motel (Rte.  43, tel. 406/689-3254; 8 rooms; $53). X Restaurants: None in park. In  Wisdom: Antler Saloon (Main St., tel. 406/689-9393; $9-$14), Big Hole  Crossing Restaurant (105 Park St. tel. 406/689-3800; $5-$8; no dinner  Tues. and Wed. Labor Day-June). Groceries & Gear: None in park. In  Wisdom: Conovers Trading Post (Rte. 43, tel. 406/689-3272), Wisdom  Market (Rte. 43, tel. 406/689-3271).     

      

FEES, HOURS & REGULATIONS     

Entrance fee (collected Memorial Day-late Sept.): $3 per person  or $5 per car. Montana state fishing license required. Pets only in  parking areas; must be leashed. No hunting. Trails open until dusk.  Visitor center open daily 9-5, with extended, variable hours Memorial  Day-Labor Day.

           

HOW TO GET THERE     

10 mi west of Wisdom via Rte. 43. Closest airport: Missoula (100 mi).     

      

CONTACT     

Big Hole National Battlefield (Box 237, Wisdom, MT 59761, tel. 406/ 689-3155, fax 406/689-3151)