Rate Big Hole National Battlefield
Learn and Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Battlefield
Operating Hours & Seasons
Big Hole National Battlefield
The battlefield is open from sunrise to sunset 7 days per week year round during which time you may walk or snowshoe, depending on the time of year, to the Nez Perce Camp, the Siege Area, or the Howitzer Site. However, the visitor center is only open 9am – 5pm in the summers and 10am – 5pm in the winters. The Visitor Center is also closed on federal holidays October through February.
Standard Hours
- Sunday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Monday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Tuesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Wednesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Thursday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Friday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Saturday: Sunrise – Sunset
Park District
Bear Paw Battlefield
The Bear Paw Battlefield is located 16 miles south of the town of Chinook in north-central Montana. It is open from sunrise to sunset year round. The only visitor services on site are a pit toilet and picnic tables. Rangers patrol the battlefield regularly. Please call (406) 357-3130 if you would like a ranger-led tour of the battlefield.
Standard Hours
- Sunday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Monday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Tuesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Wednesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Thursday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Friday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Saturday: Sunrise – Sunset
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $0.00 – Entrance Fees
Big Hole is fee free! We do sell the Lifetime Senior Pass, the Annual Senior Pass, and the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, and issue the Access Pass to those that qualify.
Entrance Passes:
- $0.00 – Entrance Passes
There are no entrance fees to Big Hole National Battlefield or Bear Paw Battlefield. However, the we sell the Annual Senior Pass, the Lifetime Senior Pass, and the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, and issue the Access Pass to those that qualify at the Big Hole National Battlefield’s visitor center.
About
Bearing Witness
On August 9, 1877 gun shots shattered a chilly dawn on a sleeping camp of Nez Perce. By the time the smoke cleared on August 10, almost 90 Nez Perce were dead along with 31 soldiers and volunteers. Big Hole National Battlefield was created to honor all who were there.
Directions
Big Hole National Battlefield is located on Highway 43 ten miles west of the town of Wisdom in southwestern Montana. Bear Paw Battlefield is located on Route 240 sixteen miles south of the town of Chinook in north-central Montana.
Visitor Centers
Visitor Center at the Big Hole National Battlefield
The Visitor Center at the Big Hole National Battlefield is open seven days per week year round except for federal holidays October through February.
Weather
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Wisdom has a humid continental climate.
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