Big Hole National Battlefield
Wisdom, MT
The site of the 1877 battle between Nez Perce families and the US Army, in a quiet mountain valley on MT-43. A visitor center explains the flight of the Nez Perce, and trails lead to the camp site.
Big Hole National Battlefield lies in the Big Hole Valley in southwestern Montana, about 10 miles (16 km) west of Wisdom on Montana Highway 43. It commemorates the battle of August 9 and 10, 1877, when Colonel John Gibbon, with the 7th US Infantry and 34 civilian volunteers, attacked a Nez Perce camp at dawn. Since 1992 the site has been part of Nez Perce National Historical Park.
The visitor center overlooks the battlefield and offers an orientation film and a museum. Three trails start at the lower parking lot: to the Nez Perce camp, to the siege area with preserved trenches, and to the howitzer capture site; the steep climb there takes about 20 minutes and gives a wide view over the battlefield and valley. The camp site is considered sacred ground.
For road-trippers: camping is not allowed in the park, but there are campgrounds nearby. According to the 1992 NPS brochure, Wisdom had only a gas station, a store, restaurants and limited lodging; fuller services are in Butte, Dillon, Hamilton or Salmon (check the current situation in advance). Expect severe weather in winter.
- Nearest town
- Wisdom, MT
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 45.6460, -113.6490
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
© Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Montana’s gold rush trail: Virginia City, Bannack and Big Hole
© Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Gold-rush towns, hot springs and the valley of ten thousand haystacks – by camper through the Bitterroot Valley, the Big Hole and over the Pintler Route
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- May Creek CampgroundCampsite6 mi from Big Hole National Battlefield · 21 pitchesCaravansToilets
- Mussigbrod CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Big Hole National Battlefield · 10 pitchesCaravansDrinking waterToilets
- Jennings Camp CampgroundCampsite19 mi from Big Hole National Battlefield · 4 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesToiletsFree
- Martin Creek CampgroundCampsite20 mi from Big Hole National Battlefield · 7 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesDrinking waterToilets
- Crazy Creek CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Big Hole National Battlefield · 7 pitchesCaravansDrinking waterToilets
- Crazy Creek Horse CampCampsite23 mi from Big Hole National BattlefieldCaravansMotorhomesFree
All campsites in Montana · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Big Hole National Battlefield?
Big Hole National Battlefield is in Wisdom, MT, at GPS 45.6460, -113.6490. It is about 14 mi from Lost Trail Pass.
Can you camp near Big Hole National Battlefield?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is May Creek Campground, about 6 mi away; within 25 mi there are 17 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Big Hole National Battlefield?
Big Hole National Battlefield is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Montana’s gold rush trail: Virginia City, Bannack and Big Hole and Gold-rush towns, hot springs and the valley of ten thousand haystacks – by camper through the Bitterroot Valley, the Big Hole and over the Pintler Route.
What is there to see near Big Hole National Battlefield?
Places worth a stop nearby: Bannack State Park (46 mi), Nevada City (85 mi), Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park (88 mi) and Montana State Capitol (102 mi).
When is the best time to visit Big Hole National Battlefield?
The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)