1883 Monument

• In front of you is a 6-ton granite monument in a obelisk shape. The granite has inscription on all four sides.

Bear Paw Battlefield

The Bear Paw Battlefield is the location of the final battle of the Nez Perce Flight of 1877. Following the breakout of war in Idaho, approximately 800 Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) spent a long and arduous summer fleeing U.S. Army troops first toward Crow allies and then toward refuge in Canada. The Nimiipuu arrived at C’aynnim Alikinwaaspa (Place of the Manure Fire, now known as the Bear Paw Battlefield), a mere forty miles short of the Canadian border.

• Open grassland rolling hills with a large parking area and an outhouse.

Big Hole National Battlefield

On August 9, 1877 gun shots shattered a chilly dawn on a sleeping camp of Nez Perce. By the time the smoke cleared on August 10, almost 90 Nez Perce were dead along with 31 soldiers and volunteers. Big Hole National Battlefield was created to honor all who were there.

East Bluff

East Bluff: Initial Assault

Howitzer Capture Site

See the location from where the 12 pound mountain howitzer was improperly fired and eventually captured by the Nez Perce.

• This vantage point is over 300 feet above the valley floor and located along the tree line on Battle Mountain. In front of you is a replica of the howitzer pointed at the Nez Perce encampment far below in the valley floor.

Joseph Band

Looking Glass Band with ally Husishusis Kute

Memorial Tipi Frames

Walk on sacred ground surrounded by tipi frames placed as a memorial to the Nez Perce lives lost in this battle.

• Standing in front of the encampment, you are on the valley floor with the North Fork of the Big Hole River running just north of where you are standing. The trail in front of you makes a keyhole pattern as it winds through the 50+ tipi frames. These frames consist of seven poles each and surround the trail on both sides.

Memorial of Chief Josephs final speech

Nez Perce Encampment

An Important spot for cultural interpretation as well as a major focal point in the story of Big Hole National Battlefield.

Point of Rocks

Rifle Pits

Soldier Grave Site

South Bluff

Southeast Coulee

White Bird Band

Visitor Center at the Big Hole National Battlefield

• Visitor Center at the Big Hole National Battlefield
• The park's visitor center offers museum exhibits, a film, and a book sales area. The award-winning film Weet'uciklitukt: There's No Turning Back, Battle at Big Hole provides an introduction to the Nez Perce Flight of 1877 and the battle that took place at this site. The film is shown throughout the day and is close-captioned. Audio and braille guides are available upon request. Park grounds are open sunrise to sunset daily.

• Explore the Walking Trails
• Explore the battlefield through 3 different trails: the Nez Perce camp trail (1.6 miles round trip with no elevation gain, the Howitzer capture site (0.8 miles round trip with 320ft elevation gain) and the Siege area trail (1.2 miles round trip with 50ft elevation gain). Allow approximately 2 hours to complete all 3 trails.

Bear Paw Battlefield at C’áaynim ’Alikinwáaspa

Reverently walk the Bear Paw Battlefield loop trail while listening to the text from the Bear Paw Battlefield Brochure and Trail Guide. For more information about the last battle of the four-month Nez Perce War of 1877, read the frontside of the brochure. For an audio recording of the brochure, please contact Nez Perce National Historic Park.