Little Bighorn Battlefield

If your travels take you in the vicinity of northern Wyoming or southern Montana, you likely have already taken in a bit of the local history. There’s one place in particular 63 miles east of Billings MT, that really brings it all to life and that’s Little Bighorn Battlefield. This National Monument memorializes one of the last armed efforts of the Northern Plains Indians to preserve their ancestral way of life. Here in the valley of the Little Bighorn River on two hot June days in 1876, more than 260 soldiers and attached personnel of the U.S. Army met defeat and death at the hands of several thousand Lakota and Cheyenne warriors. Among the dead were Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and every member of his immediate command. Although the Indians won the battle, they subsequently lost the war against the military’s efforts to end their independent, nomadic way of life.

In this actual site of the battle, including last stand hill where Custer and several of the 7th Calvary met their fate, you can discover the complex history of the battle, why it was fought, and who was involved. There is a 4.5 mile road that traverses through the rolling hills, various ridges and valleys that all have significance to the battle. As you drive through, with guidance from the informational markers and audio tour, the battle comes to life, you can almost hear the gunfire and see a line of warriors coming over the ridge. It’s a real and sobering experience with grave markers identifying were various soldiers lost their life, and other markers identifying Cheyenne and Lakota warrior casualties.

Of upmost significance is the Last Stand Hill 7th Calvary Memorial and Indian Memorial which are both very well done to memorialize the battle and possibly even more significant, what we have learned from it. The Custer National Cemetery is also here, adjacent to the visitors center.

Parking is limited and can get busy but there is some RV parking available. Since this was a stop between destinations for us, we parked the coach in one of the designated spots and disconnected the Jeep to drive the park. Many people simply drive right through this area on the way to Yellowstone. Do yourself a favor and carve out a couple hours to visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield, you won’t be disappointed.