Event
Annual Commemoration of the Battle of the Big Hole
Fee:
Free. Free and open to the public.Location:
Nez Perce Camp on the battlefieldDates & Times
Date:
Time:
Duration:
Description
Every August Nez Perce people and others gather at Big Hole to remember and honor those who lost their lives here during the August 1877 battle, and to pay tribute to those who survived. Everyone is invited to attend and there is not admission fee.
The ceremony begins at 10am near the camp site on the battlefield and are usually finished by lunch. You are encouraged to arrive early to allow time to park and walk out to the Nez Perce camp on the battlefield. Events include a pipe ceremony and drum circle (NO PHOTOS PLEASE). After lunch, Mike Penney and the Nez Perce Nation Drum will do drum and song at the visitor center at 2pm.
Over flow parking is available at the visitor center. The park provides a shuttle from the visitor center to the trailhead. Limited shuttle service to the camp site on the battlefield is offered to those who are physically unable to walk to the site. A first aid tent is located near the ceremony. Vault toilets are located in the lower parking lot and a part-a-pottie will be located in the camp area. Water stations are located throughout the battlefield. For your own comfort, bring a chair or blanket, hat, sunscreen, lunch, umbrella, and mosquito repellent.
Please contact the park at least 5 days in advance of the commemoration to request a sign language interpreter, assisted listening devices, or other special requests.
Directions to the park can be found on the Big Hole National Battlefield's directions web page.