Big Hole National Battlefield

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

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."

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!

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

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].

05/08/2026

Coming September 2026, Coyote Camp will be back for its 16th year! Teachers, don't miss out on the chance to bring your students to visit the battlefield during , September 14-16, 2026.
Coyote Camp is Big Hole National Battlefield’s annual, place-based field trip extravaganza. Students spend one day here, immersing themselves in the history along the trails, and spending time with cultural experts to learn about nımí·pu· (Nez Perce) culture. The target age of this program is 4th-8th grade, and is available for FREE to public, private, and home school groups.

New this year: unable to make a trip out to the battlefield? We may be able to arrange a classroom visit for your students; please reach out for more information.

Registration is required. To see remaining availability and learn more, visit nps.gov/biho/learn/education. To register, email us at [email protected] or call 406-689-3155 x1023 during business hours.

05/06/2026

04/08/2026

It's spring in the Big Hole Valley, and that means (most of) the snow has melted, the sandhill crane and elk have returned, and road to the battlefield’s trailheads is open for the season!

Both battlefield trails begin at the lower lot and are open every day from sunrise to sunset. The visitor center is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm.

Hikers should come prepared for early season conditions, including mud and some fallen trees across the trails.

03/04/2026

The lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta, is a tall, straight pine that, as the name suggests, makes for perfect tipi, or “lodge,” poles. Dense forests of the tree surround the Big Hole Valley, and this is one of the reasons the non-treaty bands of nımí·pu· (Nez Perce) stopped here in August 1877.

Since hastily fleeing Idaho a month before, many of the nımí·pu· had been sleeping in the open or under small brush shelters. Now, with the trouble seemingly far behind them, they decided to rest for a few days and prepare for the remainder of their journey to buffalo country. As the horses grazed and children played, women set out to harvest and prepare the needed tipi poles.

It was the sound of the women’s axes that first alerted the army’s scouts to the nımí·pu·’s location. On the morning of the next day 183 soldiers and civilian volunteers attacked the camp.

Many of the newly cut tipi poles shattered as bullets tore through the encampment, others were burned when soldiers lit fire to the tipis. At the end of the battle, the lodgepole pine posts, once meant to provide shelter, were used as sleds to drag away the wounded and dying.