Big Hole National Battlefield
Big Hole National Battlefield preserves a battlefield in the western United States, located in Beaverhead County, Montana. In 1877, the Nez Perce fought a delaying action against the U.S. Army's 7th Infantry Regiment here on August 9 and 10, during their failed attempt to escape to Canada. This action, the Battle of the Big Hole, was the largest battle fought between the Nez Perce and U.S. Government forces in the five-month conflict known as the Nez Perce War.
| Big Hole National Battlefield | |
|---|---|
Location in the United States Location in Montana | |
| Location | Beaverhead County, Montana, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Dillon |
| Coordinates | 45°38′15″N 113°38′37″W |
| Area | 655.61 acres (265.32 ha) |
| Established | 1883 (Military Preserve) June 23, 1910 (NPS) |
| Visitors | 54,781 (in 2022) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Big Hole National Battlefield |
In 1992, the park was made a part of Nez Perce National Historical Park, which consists of 38 locations in five states, following the flight of the Nez Perce tribe from the U.S. Cavalry, the route of which was designated Nez Perce National Historic Trail in 1986.
Just east of the continental divide at Chief Joseph Pass, Big Hole National Battlefield is located on 975.61 acres (3.9 km2) (including 320 acres/1.3 km2 privately held), ten miles (16 km) west of Wisdom on Montana Highway 43. A year-round visitor center is located in the park.