Big Hole National Battlefield

The Nez Perce Indians thought they were safe in Montana, where they had sought refuge after fleeing soldiers in Idaho who seized their land and tried to force them onto a reservation. They set up camp along the Big Hole River, but were attacked as they slept, just before daybreak on August 9, 1877. Big Hole National Battlefield , near the town of Wisdom, is a memorial to those who died on this sacred ground. Nez Perce warriors mounted a resistance and kept the military at bay, but casualties were high. The tribe continued to flee toward the Canadian border, battling with troops along the way. The military eventually succeeded in forcing their surrender and enforcing the policy of placing all American Indians on reservations in a bid to make way for westward expansion. The site features a museum, and visitors can walk the trails. There’s fishing in the area, along with a chance to see elk, moose, raptors and other wildlife.