Summary
Army in 1877. Visitors can explore the area and learn about the conflict and its impact on the Nez Perce people and the surrounding region.
Some of the reasons to visit Big Hole National Battlefield include its historical significance, scenic beauty, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. The battlefield offers hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and camping options for visitors.
Points of interest to see include the visitor center, which has exhibits and displays about the battle and its aftermath; the battlefield itself, where visitors can walk among the markers and learn about the events that took place there; and the nearby Big Hole River, which offers fishing and other outdoor activities.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was designated as a national historic landmark in 1960, and that the battle at Big Hole was one of the major conflicts between the U.S. Army and the Nez Perce during their journey to flee to Canada.
The best time of year to visit Big Hole National Battlefield is in the summer months, when the weather is mild and the area is open for camping and other outdoor activities. However, visitors should be aware that the area can be crowded during peak season, so it may be worth planning ahead and arriving early to avoid crowds.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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May Creek Campground
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May Creek
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American Legion Park - Wisdom
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May Creek Cabin
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Mussigbrod Campground
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Mussigbrod
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