Big Hole National Battlefield

Big Hole National Battlefield Big Hole NB is the site of the biggest loss of life during the Nez Perce Flight of 1877.

Starting July 11, we are excited to be hosting guest speakers most weekends through the summer to share their expertise ...
06/24/2026

Starting July 11, we are excited to be hosting guest speakers most weekends through the summer to share their expertise and knowledge with us. These speakers are available to the public each Saturday and Sunday at 11:45am and 1:15pm at the visitor center. More speakers on even more topics will be announced soon—stay tuned!

⭐July 11-12: Suzy Avey on Lewis and Clark and the nımí·pu· (Nez Perce).

⭐July 18-19: Vivian Henry on nımí·pu· cradleboards.

⭐ July 25-26: Gwen Carter on nımí·pu· traditional food gathering and uses.

⭐August 1-2: Leroy Seth & Jesse Padilla on powwow, religion, and nımí·pu· traditions.

Now who’s this little guy?Commonly mistaken as a prairie dog, chipmunk, or any other tiny rodent of your choice, what yo...
06/20/2026

Now who’s this little guy?

Commonly mistaken as a prairie dog, chipmunk, or any other tiny rodent of your choice, what you’re looking at is none other than a juvenile Columbian ground squirrel!

This young ground squirrel is practicing standing at attention to look for potential predators. If the predator does anything threatening, the squirrel will let out a high-pitched cheep and quickly find refuge underground.

One translation of the nımí·pu· (Nez Perce) name for the Big Hole Valley, ˀıckumcılé·lıkpe, is “land of the ground squirrels,” and it isn’t hard to see why this time of year. However, make sure you come soon, because our ground squirrels spend 8 months of the year hibernating underground—one of the longest hibernation periods of any mammal.

On this day in 1877, the first battle of the nımí·pu· (Nez Perce) Flight of 1877 took place at White Bird Canyon in Idah...
06/17/2026

On this day in 1877, the first battle of the nımí·pu· (Nez Perce) Flight of 1877 took place at White Bird Canyon in Idaho.

After the Salmon River Raids, Captain Perry set out to arrest the responsible warriors and es**rt the remaining nımí·pu· onto the reservation. On June 16, 1877, Perry and 106 cavalry soldiers caught their first glimpse of the non-treaty nımí·pu· in lahmotta (White Bird Canyon). The next day, the soldiers advanced deep into the canyon and nımí·pu· scouts warned warriors to prepare for the military encounter.

The nımí·pu· sent a peace party lead by wettiwetti howlis (Vicious Weasel) to negotiate with a scouting party lead by Lieutenant Theller. As the nımí·pu· approached, Theller noticed they were flying a white flag. For a few moments, the future of the nımí·pu· conflict remained in hands of these eight U.S. soldiers.

For reasons unknown, a civilian volunteer, Arthur ‘Ad’ Chapman, ran up alongside Theller and opened fire upon the peace party. The nımí·pu· responded and began shooting at the soldiers. The nımí·pu· warriors’ familiarity with the rugged landscape aided them in defeating the cavalry that outnumbered them. In less than thirty minutes, Captain Perry began to retreat, leaving behind 34 dead soldiers. The nımí·pu· lost no men and retrieved more than 63 weapons and ammunition from the battlefield.

Unfortunately, this battle was the first of many for the fleeing nımí·pu·.

Photo: Lucullus V. McWhorter Collection

Before moving onto the reservation in June of 1877, the non-treaty nımí·pu· (Nez Perce) decided to camp one last time ne...
06/14/2026

Before moving onto the reservation in June of 1877, the non-treaty nımí·pu· (Nez Perce) decided to camp one last time near Tolo Lake, a traditional gathering site.

Some of Chief White Bird’s band held a ceremony where warriors rode their horses around camp, boasting about their skills and time in battle. An older warrior, hahkauts ilpilp (Red Grizzly Bear), challenged some of the younger warriors’ bravery. One of these young warriors was wahlitits (Shore Crossing). Three years earlier, settler Larry Ott had killed wahlitits’ father. Until now, this crime had gone unpunished.

wahlitits, humiliated, set out to a nearby settlement with two of his cousins in search of Ott. They did not find him, but they found other settlers who treated the nımí·pu· cruelly.

Upon their return to the Tolo Lake camp, one of wahlitits’ cousins, wetyemtmas wahyakt (Swan Necklace), announced that they had killed four settlers and injured another. Emboldened by this news, about 15 more young warriors rode off towards the settlement. Over June 14th and 15th, they burned buildings, killed and drove away cattle, and left 18 settlers dead with others injured.

Following this, the chiefs decided to move the group towards White Bird Canyon, preparing for an inevitable response from US military forces.

Photo 1: Lucullus V. McWhorter collection
Photo 2: NPS

In 1863, in response to settlers’ discovery of gold in Idaho, the U.S. Government drafted a new treaty for the nımí·pu· ...
06/10/2026

In 1863, in response to settlers’ discovery of gold in Idaho, the U.S. Government drafted a new treaty for the nımí·pu· (Nez Perce). This new treaty proposed shrinking the reservation, dropping it down to about one-tenth of its prior size. Five bands of nımí·pu·, the ones mainly living in areas whose land would be outside the new reservation, did not sign the treaty and became known as the non-treaty nımí·pu·.

Because they didn’t sign the "Thief Treaty," the non-treaty nımí·pu· believed that they were not bound by its rules and continued to live in their homeland. They lived outside of the 1863 reservation until 1877, after complaints and conflicts with settlers arose. The military was sent in to enforce the 1863 treaty and move the non-treaty nımí·pu· onto the reservation. General Oliver Otis Howard, who was overseeing the move, gave the nımí·pu· 30 days to pack their possessions and corral thousands of their horses and cattle, as well as themselves, across the cold waters of the Snake River, now surging from the spring runoff. Chief Joseph recalled that Howard told them, "If you are not there in that time, I shall consider that you want to fight, and will send my soldiers to drive you on."

In memory of Maurice “Pistol Pete” Wilson To say that Pistol Pete was an advocate and friend of our parks would be a tru...
05/29/2026

In memory of Maurice “Pistol Pete” Wilson

To say that Pistol Pete was an advocate and friend of our parks would be a true understatement. His depth of knowledge of his culture, the passion through which he shared it with others, and the kindness with which he carried himself touched every person who crossed paths with him.

During his time as a park ranger, he delighted visitors with his knowledge and wit. He created cultural materials that he graciously and generously shared with the public, cultivating lasting memories. While his tenure working for the National Park Service was brief, he continued to be involved at every turn.

As a proud U.S. Navy veteran, Pistol Pete helped his community honor their ancestors through commemoration events. Reaching both old and young, he ensured that history and culture were not forgotten.

Equal parts wise and mischievous, he spent 15 years as a vital pillar in Coyote Camp. Pistol Pete inspired awe in thousands of students with his storytelling, becoming the talk of the classroom for the whole year.

Thank you for all you gave to our parks, Pete. You will be missed.

Starting this Saturday, May 23, we will be shifting into summer hours. The visitor center will be open 9am-5pm Wednesda...
05/19/2026

Starting this Saturday, May 23, we will be shifting into summer hours. The visitor center will be open 9am-5pm Wednesday -Sunday; battlefield grounds will be open sunrise to sunset daily. Stop on in to explore our exhibits, watch the park film, and speak with a ranger. We can't wait to see you!

🐻Be bear aware!🐻Black bears have regularly been seen at Big Hole National Battlefield in recent years, and the Big Hole ...
05/15/2026

🐻Be bear aware!🐻

Black bears have regularly been seen at Big Hole National Battlefield in recent years, and the Big Hole Valley is known grizzly territory. Our sister park, Bear Paw Battlefield, also has bears in the area.

Most bears will avoid humans if they are aware of your presence, so make noise and hike in a group if possible as you explore the battlefield. If you encounter a bear, stay calm, speak in a steady voice, back away slowly, and avoid sudden movements. Report bear encounters to park staff as soon as it is safe to do so.

And remember: Bear spray does not work like insect repellant. Nor is it very helpful when it's buried below your snacks and jacket in your backpack. If you carry bear spray, be sure to know how to use it: check out this video to learn more https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=F7EC7B4D-1DD8-B71B-0BA8E72257EBE39A

WE'RE HIRING! Join our team as a park ranger this summer!If you are a U.S. citizen living within 75 miles of Big Hole Na...
05/12/2026

WE'RE HIRING! Join our team as a park ranger this summer!

If you are a U.S. citizen living within 75 miles of Big Hole National Battlefield, you are eligible for our seasonal Park Ranger of Interpretation position, made possible by the Field Unit Local Hiring Authority. Follow this link to apply and learn more!

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/868463500

Towns within a 75-mile radius of our site include, but are not limited to: Anaconda, Butte, Dillon, Hamilton, Salmon, Stevensville, and Wisdom.

We hope to work with you this summer! Questions? Email us at [email protected].

Address

16425 Highway 43 West
Wisdom, MT
59761

Opening Hours

Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(406) 689-3155

Website

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