By editor
Beaverhead County, West of Wisdom
The Big Hole Valley is a high, cold, and immensely beautiful basin, known for its sprawling cattle ranches and the meandering, willow-choked Big Hole River. The National Battlefield preserves the site of the tragic 1877 conflict between the US Army and the Nez Perce, but it also protects a pristine stretch of the river corridor and the adjacent lodgepole pine forests.
The willow bottoms along the North Fork of the Big Hole River are exceptionally productive for breeding songbirds. In June, the thickets ring with the songs of Yellow Warblers, Lincoln's Sparrows, and Fox Sparrows. The river itself supports American Dippers and Spotted Sandpipers. In the adjacent forests, birders can find Clark's Nutcrackers, Townsend's Solitaires, and the brilliant Western Tanager. The quiet, somber atmosphere of the battlefield makes for focused, reflective birding.
Visitor Access
Managed by the National Park Service, the battlefield is open year-round, though the visitor center has seasonal hours. There is no entry fee. The park features several miles of well-maintained walking trails that wind through the riparian area and up into the forested hills. Visitors must stay on the trails to protect the historic and cultural integrity of the site.