Big Hole National Battlefield
Designation: National Battlefield
Location: Montana
📘 Park Overview
On August 9, 1877, gunshots shattered a chilly dawn on a sleeping camp of nımí·pu· (Nez Perce). By the time the smoke cleared on August 10, almost 90 nimí·pu· were dead, along with 31 soldiers and volunteers. Big Hole National Battlefield was created to honor all who were there.
🌤 Weather Information
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. Wisdom has a humid continental climate.
🚗 Directions
Big Hole National Battlefield is located on Highway 43 ten miles west of the town of Wisdom in southwestern Montana. Bear Paw Battlefield is located on Route 240 sixteen miles south of the town of Chinook in north-central Montana.
Images
Today tepee poles stand sentinel at the site of August 9th, 1877 dawn attack at the Big Hole.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Nez Perce chose their camp site in the Big Hole in part due to the Camas, whose roots they gathered prior to the August 9th attack.
Credit: NPS Photo
Nez Perce warriors captured and dismantled the Mountain Howitzer cannon before the US army could use it effectively at the Battle of the Big Hole.
Credit: NPS Photo
In 1883 the United States Government erected this monument in honor of the soldiers and volunteers that served and died at the 1877 Battle of the Big Hole.
Credit: NPS Photo
This monument, erected on the Big Hole Battlefield in 1928, reads; "To the everlasting memory of the brave warriors Chief Joseph's Band who fought on these grounds in the Nez Perce War of 1877."
Credit: NPS Photo
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Wednesday, Mar 4
Moderate or heavy snow showers
High: 40.8°F | Low: 15.4°F
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 7.4 mph
Rain Chance: 77%
UV Index: 0.5
Sunrise: 07:07 AM
Sunset: 06:25 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (100%)
Visibility: 4 mi
Dew Point: 27.5°F
Cloud Cover: 77%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Mar 5
Overcast
High: 30.9°F | Low: 19.4°F
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 10.7 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0
Sunrise: 07:05 AM
Sunset: 06:27 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (97%)
Visibility: 3 mi
Dew Point: 24.2°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Mar 6
Overcast
High: 31.1°F | Low: 19.4°F
Humidity: 85%
Wind: 8.9 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1
Sunrise: 07:04 AM
Sunset: 06:28 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (93%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 21°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (5)
Winter Weather Advisory issued March 4 at 8:39AM MST until March 5 at 9:00AM MST by NWS Missoula MT
Effective: Mar 4, 2026 10:39am
Expires: Mar 5, 2026 10:45am
* WHAT...Snow expected above 5500 feet. There is a likelihood of
minor to moderate winter weather impacts. Total snow accumulations
up to 3 inches.
* WHERE...Butte, Georgetown Lake, Homestake Pass, Highway 12
Garrison to Elliston, and MacDonald Pass.
* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 9 AM MST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...For MINOR winter weather impacts, expect a few
inconveniences to normal activities. Use caution while driving.
Winter traveling conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact
the Thursday morning commute, especially over higher passes.
Winter Weather Advisory issued March 3 at 11:27PM MST until March 5 at 9:00AM MST by NWS Great Falls MT
Effective: Mar 4, 2026 1:27am
Expires: Mar 4, 2026 7:00pm
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 6
inches at pass level with higher amounts above pass level. Winds
gusting as high as 35 mph.
* WHERE...Northwest Beaverhead County.
* WHEN...From 3 PM Wednesday to 9 AM MST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow amounts in the Big Hole Valley look to
be an inch or so.
Winter Weather Advisory issued March 3 at 11:27PM MST until March 5 at 3:00PM MST by NWS Great Falls MT
Effective: Mar 4, 2026 1:27am
Expires: Mar 4, 2026 7:00pm
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 7
inches, with higher amounts above pass level. Winds gusting as
high as 35 mph.
* WHERE...Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial
Mountains.
* WHEN...From 8 PM Wednesday to 3 PM MST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.
Winter Weather Advisory issued March 4 at 11:29AM MST until March 5 at 9:00AM MST by NWS Great Falls MT
Effective: Mar 4, 2026 1:29pm
Expires: Mar 5, 2026 8:00am
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 6
inches at pass level with higher amounts above pass level.
* WHERE...Northwest Beaverhead County.
* WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to 9 AM MST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous.
Winter Weather Advisory issued March 4 at 11:29AM MST until March 5 at 3:00PM MST by NWS Great Falls MT
Effective: Mar 4, 2026 1:29pm
Expires: Mar 5, 2026 8:00am
* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 7
inches, with higher amounts above pass level.
* WHERE...Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial
Mountains.
* WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 3 PM MST Thursday.
* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will
likely become slick and hazardous.
Park Alerts
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
16425 Highway 43 West
Wisdom, MT 59761
🏤 Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 237
Wisdom, MT 59761
📞 Voice Phone: 4066893155
✉️ Email: biho_visitor_information@nps.gov