The Battle of Big Hole took place on August 9 and 10 in 1877 and was a turning point in the Nez Perce War, a 5-month war in which U.S. Army forces tried to place a third of the Nez Perce tribe on a reservation. The fighting began in White Bird Canyon in Idaho and had a dramatic ending in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana.
Self-guiding tours take you to many points of the battleground. A short drive to the lower parking area connects with foot trails to the Nez Perce Camp, the Siege Area, and the Howitzer Capture site. The walks each take about an hour. The Visitor Center offers basic orientation through and audio-visual program and exhibits.
The Battlefield is open daily from 8:00 to 7:00 from June 1 to Labor day and 9:00 to 5:00 the remainder of the year.