I came here right after the Visitor Center changed their hours, so the official NPS website didn't reflect the new hours. The change was apparently posted to their Facebook page a few days before though. And so I arrived to a closed Visitor Center. It seemed like I wasn't the only one, as there were a handful of other cars that pulled up into the parking lot. Oh well. I went on the Siege Area Trail which is 1.2 miles round trip. The trailhead has an interpretive brochure that explains points of interest on the trail, which made it easy to picture the events that occurred during the battle. For some reason, I couldn't see or missed some numbered stops on the trail, so it was somewhat confusing. Maybe the trail needs some updating to make them more visible? Overall, this is a somber visit to a battlefield that was not mentioned in my school textbooks. It's a reminder that we should not forget history. read more

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These are the grounds where the US military attacked the Nez Perce in an attempt to remove them from the area and stick them on a reservation. Unfortunately it was snowing on the day we visited (yes, in May!) So we couldn't really see the battefield, nor walk around outside. The visitor's center is very informative though and there's even a 20 min film you can watch to learn about the history of the attacks. Highly recommend stopping by if you're into history or national parks. Don't forget your NPS passport book! read more

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This is an extremely important and overlooked part of american history that I am glad is preserved. It's a very sad story of what took place here so do keep that in mind if you plan to bring children. Also there isn't much to actually see by car and the monument is a short walk from the parking lot but once again this is battlefield. you will see a wide open space with monuments. there is not much else to see. Also do keep in mind that this place is literally in the middle of nowhere. make sure you have a good care with a full tank of gas and I would only recommend this place for the more serious history buffs or to anyone who knows the history and want to pay their respects to what is essentially a graveyard. read more

Back in the day when Natives were fleeing their ancestral homelands during the end of Manifest Destiny, many atrocities, diasporas and other unfortunate events took place underneath the era when time passed by. Media press, access and information sucked until the modern era. The Nez Perce was a regional Native American tribe that sought refuge elsewhere, but where they stood. Forsaken their homeland and property because the lands, cattle, forest and nature provided for everyone. The Nez set foot reaching this barren valley hoping that their American pursuers could or would not reach them this far into the Rockies. Unfortunately, the strategy was miscalculated and the US military caught up. The Braves put up a helluva fight and won this battle. They continued their journey towards the Yellowstone Park with the US military in pursuit. The pursuit ends at Camas Battlefield. This 2-3 day skirmish is dedicated to what transpired prior to fleeing towards Yellowstone area. The entire battlefield can not be witnessed without exercise. Majority of the field is inaccessible throughout the year. The visitor center is the entrance and exit route (circular) of the skirmish section which has unbelievable beauty and peace. Any unbeknownst traveler would never imagine such chaos occurred there appx 140 years ago. One must travel deeper and hike for the closer viewpoint. The visitor center and this monument is free. The visitor center has a small museum dedicated to the Nez Perce. There is no need to add U.S. military because the U.S. Military during the Plains War is well-documented unlike the various Native American History filled with verbal tradition. The "winners of history" sought to silence he oppressed the past century regarding the land's ancestors and have succeeded. The museum appears on the political correctedness tour that was accompanied by the former apologizer and chief president obama. So whichever political party you sold your soul too, that is how this museum can appeal to you. In the end, this museum is a battlefield with no winners. Just dead bodies, a dead future, and ghosts that killed each other because someone else shot first. The Nez Perce Tribe has historical marks all over this region crossing into 4-5 states. I haven't reach all of them yet. Here is a list if you have more interest: 1. Nez Perce National Historical Park between Lewiston and Boise. 2. Nez Perce - Clearwater NF off Hwy 12. 3. Clearwater Battlefield near the intersection of Hwy 12 and HWY 13. 4. WhiteBird Battlefield off HWY 95. 5. Nez Perce Reservation near Boise (big). Other nearby (radius of 150 miles) travel spots: 1. Grant-Khors Ranch Historical Site in Deer Lodge 2. Old Montana Prison Museum in Deer Lodge 3. Warm Springs Wildlife Mgmt Area near Anaconda 4. Copper Village Museum in Anaconda 5. Bitterroot National Forest (Portions of the Lewis/Clark Trail). Safe Traveling friends. read more

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We love stopping by when we come to the area. Lots of historical info and displays in the visitor's center and very respectful presentation of the massacre. In season we like to take the walking trail to tour the site which is very close to the visitor's center so no need to worry about getting lost. Very child friendly. Even the gift shop is well run. read more

The park closes at 5. Pretty politically correct displays. Fairly rundown but a beautiful place.

This was neat to stop by; the visitor center shows great respect for both sides of the battle. You can see where the battle happened and how the troops came in and where the families escaped. Inside the center there are artifacts, maps and many other items to view and learn about the history of the battle of the Big Hole. read more

Wow much history right here! A lot of slaughter took place here. Teepee structures still standing along the river.