Big Hole National Battlefield in Montana, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-29. Check linked official notices before travel.

Big Hole National Battlefield in southwestern Montana preserves the site of the August 1877 attack on a nímí·pu· (Nez Perce) camp and the fighting that followed. This National Park Service site is a place of remembrance and burial. Build a visit around the visitor center and designated historic trails.

Understand the battlefield before walking it

Begin with the visitor center film and exhibits, then choose a trail that matches your available time and ability. The Nez Perce Camp Trail reaches the camp area. The Siege Area Trail explores another part of the battle, while the steeper Howitzer spur requires a different level of effort.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Prepare for elevation and uneven ground

At about 6,300 feet, take time to adjust your pace. Carry water and layers for changing weather. Packed-earth trails can become muddy or rutted, and animal burrows create trip hazards. Early-summer biting insects make repellent useful. Leave ample space around wildlife and back away if your presence changes an animal’s behavior. Cell coverage is patchy in the valley; an emergency payphone outside the visitor center can dial 911.

Treat this as sacred ground

Stay on designated trails because graves remain unmarked. Leave memorial offerings and all natural and historic objects where they are. Metal detectors and drones are prohibited. Ordinary pets cannot enter trails or the visitor center; they may use paved areas on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Service animals have a separate exception. Read the park-specific rules before visiting with a pet.

Ordinary visits and group programs

Ordinary trail walks, the visitor center and regularly scheduled ranger programs do not need a reservation or recreation permit. Arrange a private group program in advance, and notify staff about large groups even without one. Special events can require permits. The fees and reservation guidance explains those distinctions.

Location and approach roads

The battlefield is on Montana Highway 43, 10 miles west of Wisdom, at 16425 Highway 43 West. From Dillon, the NPS route follows Highway 278 to Wisdom, then Highway 43 west. Public transportation does not serve the battlefield. Use the official driving directions and confirm road conditions for your travel day.

Other historic parks in the region

Bannack State Park, at 721 Bannack Road near Dillon, preserves a former mining town. Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is another regional option, about 85 miles northeast of Big Hole. These are separate road outings rather than adjoining parts of the battlefield; check your route before combining them.

Choose a historic trail

• Nez Perce Camp Trail: 1.6 miles round trip with no elevation gain; expect an earth surface rather than a paved path.
• Siege Area Trail: 1.2 miles round trip with about 50 feet of elevation gain.
• Howitzer Trail: a 0.8-mile round-trip spur off the Siege route, with 320 feet of gain and steep, rugged ground. Its distance is an addition to the approach.

Visitor center and orientation

The visitor center has a film, museum exhibits and a bookstore. Ranger-guided activities run during the summer. Check the NPS visit-planning page for the service you want, since year-round trail access does not mean the building keeps the same hours every day.

About the battlefield

The events of August 1877

U.S. troops attacked the sleeping Nez Perce camp on August 9, 1877. Fighting continued into August 10, with deaths among the Nez Perce and the soldiers and volunteers. The battlefield commemorates those who were there and connects to the wider Nez Perce National Historical Park.

Observe the valley without approaching animals

Moose, black bears and mountain lions are among the animals recorded in the valley. A wildlife sighting is a reason to give space, not leave the designated trail for a closer view. Keep the historic landscape and its present wildlife undisturbed.

Contact Big Hole National Battlefield

Call 406-689-3155 for visitor center availability, programs and specific access questions. The official hiking page includes trail details and the battlefield trail map.