Since time immemorial, nımí·pu· (Nez Perce) people have called the valleys, prairies, mountains and plateaus of the Inland Northwest home. The 38 sites of Nez Perce National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park Service, preserve and interpret sites of nımí·pu· cultural and historical significance, and share stories of nımí·pu· resilience and survival. Nez Perce National Historical Park is a park about a people, for all people, to explore these places and learn these stories.
Thirty-Eight Sites in Four States
Nez Perce National Historical Park has thirty-eight sites spread across Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. It takes some planning to experience this story. Visit these sites to help guide your planning.
LODGING AND CAMPING
The National Park Service does not operate any lodges or campgrounds at park sites. Information on accommodations and facilities in the area can be found, though, on visitor bureau websites for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The park has a variety of short hiking trails in several of the park's larger sites. Additional outdoor activities are available in neighboring towns and public lands. The links above can help you find those recreation options.
ˀiyiwewiy - Spalding Site
Five short interpretive trails traverse the Spalding site’s historic area with restrooms, picnic tables, and grills available. These links provide a map of the trail system and a guide for the river trail are available. This site is the headquarters for Nez Perce National Historical Park and features a visitor center and museum facility.
tim´né·pe - Heart of the Monster
There is a short interpretive trail that provides a nimipuutímt (Nez Perce) and English language interpretation of the story of Coyote's battle with Monster. Vault toilets and picnic tables are available.
asáqa - Canoe Camp
A short interpretive trail meanders through the site where the nımí·pu· helped Lewis and Clark Expedition carve canoes for the corps’ journey to the Pacific Ocean in 1805. Restrooms are available.
ˀilaˀqatp’áatpa - Buffalo Eddy
A short interpretive trail leads visitors to the petroglyphs and pictographs alongside pikúunen (Snake River) in saqánpa (Hell’s Canyon). No facilities. Saqánpa can be very hot during the summer. Bring plenty of water. Also beware of the powerful eddy in the river.
lamáta - Whitebird Battlefield
Walk the site of the first clash of the Nez Perce Flight of 1877. The battlefield trail is approximately 1.2 miles round trip and the loop trail approximately 3.0 miles round trip; a trail guide is available. The battlefield can be very hot in the summer months. Please bring plenty of water. There are vault toilets at the trailhead.
ˀıckumcılé·lıkpe - Big Hole National Battlefield
On August 9, 1877, the U.S. Army attacked the nımí·pu· encampment at Big Hole, resulting in heavy losses for the nımí·pu·. Warriors rallied and besieged the US Army troops, allowing nımí·pu· families to escape. One trail traverses the Nez Perce encampment area, another through the Siege Area, and another to the site where nımí·pu· warriors captured and dismantled a US Army Howitzer. This site also features a visitor center and museum facility. Vault toilets are available at the trailhead parking lot with full restrooms at the visitor center.
c’aynnim alikinwaaspa - Bear Paw Battlefield
The last battle of the Nez Perce Flight of 1877 war occurred here, September 29 – October 5, 1877. A 1.25-mile trail allows access to the battlefield. Vault toilets and picnic tables are available at the trailhead parking area.
Nez Perce National Historical Park preserves and interprets sites encompassing over ten thousand years of Nez Perce history and culture. Nımí·pu· consider many park sites to be sacred. Please be respectful when visiting. Whether you plan to visit all thirty-eight sites or just drop in to the park's visitor centers, there are some things to consider when planning your trip. If there are questions and concerns that require more information than this website provides, please contact the park's visitor center at (208) 843-7009 for more information.
