History Beneath Our Feet: A Family Trip to Big Hole Battlefield

Walking Through History: Big Hole National Battlefield

Nestled along the North Fork of the Big Hole River in southwestern Montana, Big Hole National Battlefield marks the site of a fierce confrontation between the Nez Perce Tribe and the U.S. Army on August 9–10, 1877. In a surprise dawn attack, soldiers descended upon a sleeping Nez Perce encampment of around 750 people—men, women, and children. Though badly outnumbered, the Nez Perce fought back vigorously, forcing the troops to retreat and entrench—and even momentarily capturing a U.S. howitzer. The battle ended the following day with both sides suffering heavy losses: between 60 and 90 Nez Perce and roughly 31 soldiers killed  .

Today, the battlefield’s 3 interpretive trails—Nez Perce Camp Trail (1.6 mi), Siege Area Trail (1.2 mi), and the somewhat steeper Howitzer Trail (0.8 mi round-trip with ~320 ft elevation gain)—offer visitors a chance to walk through history  . Along the Siege Trail, you’ll find earthworks and markers that tell the story of the intense stand taken by Nez Perce warriors and U.S. soldiers. The Howitzer Trail winds uphill to a dramatic viewpoint and replica howitzer—marking the moment when Nez Perce fighters captured the cannon from its crew  .

Plan Your Visit

• Start at the Visitor Center, where you can catch a short film, browse exhibits, and meet rangers  .
• Pick up trail guides at the trailheads or Visitor Center—great for kids exploring at their own pace ().
• Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and snacks, and set aside 2–3 hours to walk all three trails.
• Tip: Go in late spring or early summer for wildflowers—and maybe wild strawberries! Be cautious and respectful—it’s sacred ground, so follow trail rules and leave no trace ().

In every bend and meadow, Big Hole invites families to slow down, breathe in the open skies, and listen to the land’s stories. And when you crest that Howitzer Trail summit, telling your kids about a historic cannon still makes magic. Here, education and adventure meet—and together, they bring history to life.

Our Experience:

My son is currently in his army man phase, and this was at the top of his list for trip to-do’s. He donned his army garb and brought his play gun and couldn’t to get out there into a real life battlefield. We were all pretty tired after running around Bannack all day and were pretty bummed when we discovered the visitor center was closed since we were there on a Monday. ( Be aware that it is only open Wednesday thru Sunday.) However, you can still walk the trails and read the interpretive signs outside though, so we headed down to the main parking lot to hit the trails.

There were a TON of mosquitos in the parking area for the trails. There must be some stagnant nearby, but they were definitely out in full force, so make sure to bring your bug spray! Once you get further on the trails they seemed to die down. There were also a lot of warning signs about bears and cougars in the area, so keep that in mind while hiking around. Keep small children very close and make sure you make lots of noise. For this exact reason they do not allow dogs on the trail, although they are allowed in the parking lots.

Being that we were so tired we opted to only hike up to the mountain howitzer, about .8 miles, While short, the trail was steep and the kids were starting to get a little cranky right before we got to the top where the actual howitzer replica is. The view from the top was completely worth it though, and we all seemed to catch a second wind the second we got our first glance. The wildflowers were abundant up at the top and their colors and scents added to the overall experience. Up at the top were more interpretive signs which taught about the battle, and the howitzer itself. We even saw a deer grazing down in the meadow below!

On the way back down we stopped along the trail and picked wild strawberries. While there weren’t many ready to pick quite yet, you could tell that when the season was just right there would be THOUSANDS! The few we did find were so sweet and delicious, and my 3 year old was not happy that there weren’t more. If you come at the right time of year, you are definitely in for a treat. The hike down went a lot faster and heard tons of birds and saw tons of fish from the bridge to the parking lot. I am not sure if fishing is allowed here, but it would definitely be a great place to throw in.

Overall, it was definitely worth the stop! The view was awe inspiring and we all learned a little more about the local native Americans and the battle of Big Hole. It was so neat to watch the kids imagine what it must have been like to live in the valley, fishing the streams and collecting the strawberries. The old tipi frames in the distance (accessed by another trail) really made it all feel so much more real! I would love to come back when we can explore all the information and artifacts that the visitors center has to offer.

Nearby Noteworthy Attractions:

Bannack Ghost Town: About an hour East of Big Hole Battlefield. Take a step back in time and wander the streets of Montana’s best preserved ghost town. Explore all 60 of the buildings and even check out the old gallows! About $8 per family, and dogs are allowed! You can see more about our visit to Bannack HERE.

Painted Rocks State Park: About an hour and 20 minutes West of Big Hole Battlefield. Named for the colorful lichen that can be found on the rock cliffs surrounding this gorgeous reservoir, Painted Rocks offers a fun day at the beach, fishing, boating, and some great hikes.

Darby, MT: About an hour North of Big Hole Battlefield, this is one of the most beautiful towns you will encounter. If you’re a fan of the series Yellowstone, this is where the show is filmed. A small western town surrounded by awe inspiring peaks with some great places to eat and shop.