The Battle of Big Hole took place on August 9 and 10 in 1877 and was a turning point in the Nez Perce War, a 5-month war in which U.S. Army forces tried to place a third of the Nez Perce tribe on a reservation. The fighting began in White Bird Canyon in Idaho and had a dramatic ending in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana.

Self-guiding tours take you to many points of the battleground. A short drive to the lower parking area connects with foot trails to the Nez Perce Camp, the Siege Area, and the Howitzer Capture site. The walks each take about an hour. The Visitor Center offers basic orientation through and audio-visual program and exhibits.

The Battlefield is open daily from 8:00 to 7:00 from June 1 to Labor day and 9:00 to 5:00 the remainder of the year.

Location: PO Box 237, Wisdom Montana 59761 Telephone 406-689-3155 Fax 1

The Most Anticipated Upcoming Montana Events Are: Winter Carnival Whitefish February 5 thru February 7 RUST - Rails Under the Stars Big Sky December 19 Holiday Festival of the Arts Bozeman continuing thru November 28 Chocolate Festival Anaconda January 5 thru January 6 Margarita Meltdown Great Falls January 29

Other upcoming events include: First Night Missoula Missoula December 31 Margarita Meltdown Great Falls January 29 Christmas at Moss Mansion Billings continuing thru January 2 Snowbowl Cup Gelande Championship Missoula February 27 thru February 28 Wild Winter Fest Bozeman February 12 thru February 14