Visit Bear Paw Battlefield - Nez Perce National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (2024)

Visit Bear Paw Battlefield - Nez Perce National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (1)

Alerts for Bear Paw Battlefield

Always bring

sun protection

,

water

, and

insect repellent (

ticks are present at certain times of the year) with you when visiting the battlefield.

During the winter months, we do not plow or shovel the roads and trail. Please consider this before visiting the site. The Montana Department of Transportation offers up-to-date information about state-maintained road conditions for the state on their website.

Restroom facilities at the battlefield are limited to a vault toilet. It is currently

CLOSED

. The nearest open full-service restrooms are in Chinook, Montana, 16 miles north of the battlefield. Questions? Call the ranger at (406) 203-8259.


Getting to Bear Paw Battlefield

Bear Paw Battlefield is located on Route 240 just 16 miles south of the town of Chinook in north-central Montana.
Staff offices are located in town.

Location:

  • Battlefield Latitude/Longitude:
    48°22'40.35"N 109°12'48.07"W
  • Physical address for staff offices in Chinook, MT:
    301 Ohio Street
    Chinook, MT 59523

Driving to Bear Paw Battlefield

  • From I-15 at Shelby, MT: Take US HWY 2 for 123 miles east to Chinook, MT. Turn south on Cleveland Rd/Route 240 and drive 16 miles south to the battlefield.
  • From I-15 at Great Falls, MT: Take Highway 87 for 110 miles northeast to Havre, MT. Turn east on US 2 and travel 25 miles to Chinook, MT. Turn south on Cleveland Rd/Route 240 and drive 16 miles south to the battlefield.
  • From I-91 at Malta, MT: Take US 2 for 66 miles west to Chinook, MT. Turn south on Cleveland Rd/Route 240 and drive 16 miles south to the battlefield.

Nearby Airports

  • Great Falls International Airport is 155 miles southwest of the battlefield.
  • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is 315 miles southwest of the battlefield.
  • Billings Logan International Airport is 215 miles south of the battlefield.
  • Glacier Park International Airport, near Kalispell, MT is 290 miles west of the battlefield.

Nearby Train Stations

An Amtrak station is located in Havre, MT, 38 miles northwest of the battlefield.

Nearby Bus Stations

Not really, but a Greyhound Bus Station is located in Great Falls, MT, 151 miles southwest of the battlefield.

Public Transportation

Public transportation is not available. However, car rentals are available in each of the nearby communities with bus stations, train stations, and airports.


Operating Hours and Seasons

Bear Paw Battlefield is open from sunrise to sunset daily year-round.

Things to Do at Bear Paw Battlefield

Explore the Battlefield

A self-guided 1 ¼ mile interpretive trail winds through the battlefield. The trail is moderate in difficulty. A brochure/trail map can be downloaded, or a physical copy can be picked up at the battlefield, the staff offices in town, or at the Blaine County Museum. Picnic tables and vault toilets are available on-site. Please bring sun protection and plenty of water during your visit, especially during the summer months.

Battlefield Tours

Rangers are available Tuesdays-Saturdays during the summer season for guided tours of the battlefield. Rangers will leave the site by 1:00 PM MT. Please call ahead for an updated schedule.
Phone: (406) 203-8259

Nearby Amenities

  • The Blaine County Museum in Chinook, Montana, offers an audio/visual presentation, "40 Miles to Freedom," which depicts the battle and siege at Bear Paw. The battlefield's official brochure, map, and Jr. Ranger booklet are also available at the museum.
  • The Montana Office of Tourism's trip planning website will help you locate hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and other amenities near Bear Paw Battlefield.

Respecting Sacred Ground

Burial sites are sacred to the Nez Perce. Please help us protect and respect the Bear Paw Battlefield.

  • Remain on the trails. Exact locations for all graves are not known, so the entire battlefield is treated as a sacred burial site.
  • Eat and prepare food and drinks in the picnic area.
  • Leave all items on monuments around the battlefield in place and undisturbed. The offerings that Nez Perce people leave in memory of their ancestors are sacred.
  • Pay homage to those who lost their lives here between dawn and dusk. The battlefield is closed after dark.
  • Report any damage or suspected violation to the National Park Service at (406) 689-3155 x 1029.

Animal and Plant Life

During your visit, be aware that you are walking through some of Montana's great grasslands. You may find many different kinds of plant and animal life within this landscape. Please respect their homes while you learn about this place. See below for possible sightings. This is not a complete list.

Some animals you may see:

  • Ticks
  • Snakes (rattlesnakes)
  • Deer (whitetail, mule)
  • Fox
  • Badger
  • Hawk
  • Pheasant
  • Pronghorn

Some plants you may see:

  • Natural grasses
  • Plains Prickly Pear Cactus
  • Sage
  • Willow
  • Rough Horsetail
  • Prairie Rose


Fees, Permits, and Reservations

Recreational Activities

The general public does not need to pay entrance fees, make reservations, or obtain permits from the National Park Service for any recreational activities at Bear Paw Battlefield including hiking, picnicking, or attending ranger programs.

First Amendment Activities

As in all units of the National Park Service, First Amendment Activities are welcome here. The Designated First Amendment Area Bear Paw it is located near the restroom and picnic shelter.

  • Map Indicating Bear Paw First Amendment Activities Area

First Amendment activities must not interfere with other permitted activities or regular park programing. Groups of less than 25 people are exempt from filing a permit request. Groups of 25 or more must contact the park superintendent to obtain a permit:
Phone: (208) 843-7001
Email: e-mail us

Commercial Film Permits

Permits are required for commercial operations wishing to film within the boundaries of Bear Paw Battlefield. Please contact the park superintendent to discuss your film idea and obtain a permit.
Phone: (208) 843-7001
Email: e-mail us

Research and Collection Permits

The National Park Service is interested in working with researchers from a wide variety of organizations. Please contact the park superintendent to discuss your project and obtain a permit.
Phone: (208) 843-7001
Email: e-mail us

Doing Business in the Park

Appropriate permits are required in order for individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to provide any goods, activities, services, agreements, or other functions for members, clients, or the public that take place at least in part in Bear Paw Battlefield, that use park resources, and that result in compensation, monetary gain, benefit, or profit. Please contact the park superintendent to discuss your venture and obtain a permit.
Phone: (208) 843-7001
Email: e-mail us

Visit Bear Paw Battlefield - Nez Perce National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service) (2024)
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