Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Been wanting to visit the battlefield for a long time, and it was as interesting as I had hoped. Visitor Center is very small and is mainly a gift shop and restrooms, but a new one is currently under construction. We were struck by how large the battlefield is in area, and touched by the individual markers that note where soldiers and Native Americans fell throughout the site. There is a paved road that extends the length of the battlefield, and there are numerous pull-off areas that feature kiosks with info on significant points of the battlefield. There’s a large memorial for the 7th Calvary and a striking Indian Memorial at the beginning of the road. Very interesting part of our history that deserves a visit.

A must see historical site. Informational plaques along the drive path guide you through what happened on that expanse of frontier. Visit the national cemetery as well. This is a teaching opportunity for the kids. Don't pass it up. Your national park pass is honored. Roads are narrow, for those towing or in RVs.

Well done park. A ton of information over the historic events. Only a few notes: 1) between the numbers on the brochure, the audio numbers, and the numbers on the sign posts, it is VERY difficult to figure out which bit of information goes with which spot. This really needs some attention. 2) please know this road is NOT designed for big rigs. This is not posted but the road is SUPER narrow and the pull offs are only about 2.5 car links long. We saw a few class a vehicles and we have NO IDEA how they turned around or what happened when they met each other on this road. Just maybe don’t. We are in a 24’ small rv and would not do this any larger.

This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. The dedication and upkeep to this battlefield and the recognition given to those who fought and survived as well as lost makes it such a humbling experience. I believe anyone in the elates should check it out and anyone planning a trip this way should definitely add this into their itinerary.

This was an unnecessarily stressful experience, in July of 2025. We planned to stop by, with our RV in tow, after confirming from the aerial photo that there was a place at the visitor center to turn around, but due to construction that was not the case and no alternative was provided. We have a 48' fifth wheel plus our truck, so we're 65' long total. Once we got near the visitor's center we realized the turn around area was closed and there was nowhere for us to go to turn around. We asked in the visitor center and she said there was a loop by Calhoun hill we could use - but upon arrival there, we discovered that loop was WAY to narrow to be able to off track on those corners without going off the road and damaging things. There was a ton of damage on the road where others had done just that, so we continued down the road - she said there was a 'huge' parking lot with plenty of room to turn around at the end. That was 5 miles further down the very curvy road, with other vehicles pulling off so we could get by, and at the end, we BARELY made the turn, within inches of huge curbs that would have damaged our tires. This whole park needs to be better designed to accommodate modern RVs - at the very least, a LARGE turn-around area near the visitor's center.

It was a cold, windy and rainy day when we were there, so we didn't walk any of the paths. The visitors center was also being remodeled so we could not go in. We drove to each interpretive panel and scanned the qr code to hear the narration for each spot. Seeing all the markers where the soldiers went down and markers where the native warriors went down makes you try to imagine what it was like on that day and how intense the fighting was. We were not aware this is also a National Cemetery, we walked thru parts off this area as well.

This was one of my most anticipated stops in our 2024 road trip of the west. You really get a sense of awe and can actually feel the history while walking here. The only downsides were the fact that the visitor center was a trailer and if you are in any way mobility challenged you might have a hard time here.

Overall not bad. Its a historic place with a bad history. Its good to learn the history of what happened and reflect on it. The visitor center is currently under construction which made us not enjoy ourselves as much but would recommend seeing it at least once.

You pay to enter this site as you drive in. As of August 2024 the visitor center is in a temporary trailer but the restrooms are in a proper building. There's a walking trail through the first area with the cemetery and markers. The rest is largely a driving tour. There's lot of history here and you'll learn a lot.

We visited here this summer. We were lucky to have come on the weekend of the reenactment of Battle of the Little Bighorn on the Crow Reservation. The memorial was very nice and there are talks given at the guest center and we enjoyed the gift shop. This memorial is very beautiful and a tribute for all soldiers, Calvary and Native American.

Definitely take a look at the memorial to the native people. It is the only one federally funded in the USA

A must see if anywhere near the area! The Visitor Center has done an amazing job of telling the story with respect to both sides which is important. It's a time in history that may not be looked upon favorably but they have done an amazing job with facts about that time and the events that occurred. There are several displays of the battle that are realistic and done well as well as artifacts and models. There is a 24 minute video about the battle that covers and explains everything. My husband is a history buff and even he learned a lot and was super immersed in the center. Although it was 100 degrees the day we were there, we did some walking and driving around the grounds, taking it all in. There are story boards throughout which we took turns reading to each other while the other studied and enjoyed the landscape. The Ranger in the Visitor Center was a wealth of knowledge and answered some longstanding questions we had about Sitting Bull and the battle.

Very worth a visit. We were there on a sunny but not too hot day (80s in early June) so it was nice to walk around to get a feel for the place. Be sure to catch the park ranger's presentation of the event - the ranger from Texas was an amazing story teller - we didn't know about the presentation in advance but happened to be there just before noon when there was a session. Beautiful area hard to imagine such a bloody battle taking place on a similarly glorious and sunny day.

History happened here and since I've been to Gettysburg PA and Antietam MD and Marianna FL and Kinston NC, I stopped in here as it was on the way east. Note that entry is $25 per vehicle and less for motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles, active military or such. Beautiful views of the battlefield and the Montana prairie lands, there is much history all about. The summary is a pitched battle between the United States Army and forces from the Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. It took place in June, 1876. The US Army was soundly defeated and more than 250 were killed including General Custer (then a Lieutenant Colonel). The park is well worth your visit. Much like the Gettysburg and Antietam battlefields, still quite somber. Please treat it as such when you visit by keeping music down and speeds low. [Review 17135 overall - 51 in Montana - 651 of 2022.]

The Battle of the Little Bighorn was a battle between conflicting ways of life. The ensuing battle was a rare military victory for those brave Native American warriors who sought to preserve their culture, their heritage and their way of life. The United States western expansion presented a threat to the Native American culture of northern plains. In 1868, many Lakota leaders agreed to sign the Treaty of Fort Laramie. As part of the treaty, a large reservation was established in the western half what is now South Dakota. Not all leaders agreed to abandon their nomadic life, which included hunting buffalo and raising horses, and rely on US government subsidies. Lakota leaders like Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull refused to sign the treaty and other nomadic warriors continued to hunt on lands that were outside the treaty boundaries. Tensions escalated between the non-reservation nomads, those who moved to the reservations and the US Government. The Battle of the Little Bighorn was part of a strategic campaign designed to force those who refused to sign the treaty to move to the established reservations. On June 25-26, 1876, a fierce battle was fought along the bluffs, fields and ravines of the Little Bighorn River between the warriors of the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho and the 7th Regiment of the US Cavalry. Although the US Cavalry was defeated, including the death of Lt. Col. George Custer, within a year most were forced to move to a reservation and the Black Hills lands were taken by the US government without compensation. Although the museum was closed when we visited, it was interesting to learn more via the cell phone audio tour. As you tour the battlefield, make note of both the white marble tombstones for US soldiers and their families, but also red granite tombstones. Mato Heton (Bear with Horns), A'kavehe Onahe (Limber Bones), and Hevovetaso (Little Whirlwind) are honored Lakota and Cheyenne warriors who fell while defending the Cheyenne and Lakota way of life. Definitely worth a stop to reflect on history.

I had some extra free time and cruised out to this place. The Little Bighorn Battlefield Monument is a National Park so there's a fee to enter (per vehicle). If you think you might hit up another National Park in the next year, you're probably better off just buying an annual pass for $80 that's good at all National Parks for you and your guests (up to six guests, I believe). I actually paid the single vehicle fee of $25, but upgraded to the annual pass (paying the difference) when I was leaving the park. There's a veteran memorial graveyard here for those that paid the ultimate price for our country near the initial parking lot. There's also a small museum with history about and is where you sign up for tours. They also have lectures here but aren't sure how that operates (ask at the help desk if you're interested). So there's a lot of rolling hills here and if you're into a long day's hike, you can do the park on foot. I was told it was 5 miles from the entrance to the furthest viewing location. When you add in stops, it would probably make a full day. However, there are rattlesnake warnings so tread at your own risk! Most visitors drive to various stops and read the historical displays. Alternatively, there's a phone number in the park brochure (and posted in the park) that you can call and listen to a narration about the different stops. I used it and after figuring it out (took a little bit), I found it quite informative. Between stops, you can hang up and the call back and it'll recognize you and immediately prompt you to enter the stop you're at. This is great on speaker phone and Bluetooth in the car so everyone can hear. The history is so interesting. But it is just that, our history and I'm glad we recognize but parties in this tragic event. It makes me why our country has been slowly removing so much of our civil war history in terms of monuments and displays throughout the southeast. Yes, the Confederate side lost but they were also Americans and right or wrong, are a pivotal part of this country's history. The freedom & rights of our country gave them the opportunity to stand up for what they believed in. Shouldn't we also remember them?

However beautiful and magnificent this area of land is, it also signifies a tragic part of history and the immense amount of greed and entitlement we have as Americans still to this day. The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as, Custers Last Stand is where the U.S. Army fought the Lakota and Cheyenne Indians over their land. The U.S. Army was grossly outnumbered and essentially everyone in Custers battalion, along with Custer himself, lost their lives. Although somber, I did enjoy that each individual gravestone along the route marked where certain beings fell in battle. There is an on the go audio tour along the driving route which gives great information about the battlegrounds and those who fought. Unfortunately, we visited the battlefield when everything was still shutdown, so we weren't able to go in the visitor center or talk to the park ranger. I would've been intrigued to hear their thoughts. All in all, it's worth driving the "torcherous" Montana landscape, in order to experience the battlegrounds for yourself.

I learned so much from this visit. While the park offers beautiful views of the countryside the history behind this site is very sad. Go for an educational experience. On a fun note, we did come upon a herd of wild horses walking right down the road.

This is a nice stop, right off the highway, to stretch your legs while learning a very important piece of American history. I think the exhibits do a good job of telling both sides of the story, how conflicting ways of life clashed on the battlefield, and what lessons we can learn from then. It is hard to imagine the bloodshed that occurred all those years ago since the scenery is so peaceful, but the periodic headstones serve as a stoic reminder. You park at a main visitor center where you can then explore trails, memorials, and the cemetery. Make sure to then get in the car and drive the 5 miles out to see the full extent of the park.

This is a significant battle in our history of the United States. I definitely recommend doing a little research on the battle before visiting the site to fully appreciate this sacred place. I was quite surprised that it cost $25 to visit this "public monument". Lastly I was also bummed that masks were required to enter the visitors center. In my 3,000 miles of vacation I wasn't once asked or mandated to wear a mask and was caught off guard. When I first arrived I was taken aback by all the graves next to the parking lot. Then I realized that these graves were not part of the Battle of Little Bighorn. All of those were up the hill a little ways. I was fortunate enough to catch the last half of one of the rangers depicting the battle on these grounds. After the speech we walked to the top of the hill where there was a smaller group of graves surrounded by a low fence. Luck was on my side and I caught a man dressed up in a reenactment uniform. He was the lead of a group men in the military because they arrived in government vans dressed in camo. The guy dressed up in a calvary uniform told the story from the view of Custer's last stand. He described how the Indians were advancing and how they were surrounded... These two people changed a few white markers scattered amongst the tall grass into the site of a adrenaline filled action; with the smell of victory & defeat all in one moment. This place definitely would not have been as special if I had not gotten the cliffs notes from these guys of the battle that happened that dreadful day.

A wonderful memorial, very well done and well maintained for all. The site is very nice inside, very historical in many respects. The whole of the buildings are very clean and inviting to guests. The restrooms are among the cleanest I have seen at a memorial or monument. Kudo to the Park Service for their hard work and diligence in keeping this as a national treasure. More than just a Memorial to the soldiers that were killed in battle against the plains indigenous natives, it stands as a monument of US westward expansion and the toll it took on both sides. Both sides being the encroaching United States and the other side being the people that already lived on the north American plains and had already claimed that land. The memorial was originally built and dedicated to the soldiers and Lt. Colonel George A. Custer for their deaths during the battle of the Little Big Horn. It has been called a slaughter of U.S. Cavalry soldiers by many, through their interpretation of the history of the battle, but on the other side of the battle, many, many more indigenous native soldiers (braves), wives, mothers and children lost their lives as well as their land and way of life, and for many years were given no mention. Now as we study history, and time goes on, we see the history and telling of this battle change to a more realistic understanding of the events of this battle. The indigenous peoples of that area were not monsters nor godless nor savages bent on mindless killing and bloodlust, they were native, indigenous people, attempting to protect their land and way of life. Many thanks to the many people and the Crow Agency for their work to get these changes made in the telling of history.

this is a great historical site that is wonderfully preserved. Despite horrific events taking place there the site itself is peaceful and serene. Also it's just an hour away from Billings. Definitely worth seeing for those who appreciate military history and Native American history. Do keep in mind that this is a preserved battlefield. You'll see a wide open field with memorial markers not unlike you will see when visiting any other civil war battlefield. There isn't much more to do other than that.

Custer met his demise. The people of this land had to deal with greedy European settlers that thought they could shove their sorry ass Christian beliefs on the world. A good Christian keeps those beliefs to themselves. People of both sides had to die over this...illogical! My thoughts are non political, just don't like greed and control....

Great history! Great for field trip's children. Also has a small gift shop and museum. Prices are good.

All the officers were hauled off and given proper burials, while the enlisted were all dumped together in one big hole. They left the grave stones im the spots where everyone allegedly fell. But there is nothing below them, but empty ground. Usually history is written by the winners. But not in this battle. This monument to the dead here are well taken care of, while Chef Two Moons grave, just down the road in Busby, sits neglected and in poor shape. This was someplace I had wanted to visit for many many years. Personally, this place was a complete let down. And they keep removing any review less than 4 stars or any that are critical.

Great piece of American and local history of the area, extensive information from both sides of the battle. Adorable gift shop. The trails are nice to walk and there's a long driving section that you can pull over to exam signs.

My son and I visited during our road trip across 13 states. This was a bit out of the way but we were glad we stopped because of all the history. We explored the cemetery and Custer's last stand on foot. We then did the driving/audio tour around the entire battlefield. For the audio tour, you call a 800 number, put in the section number you're in and you will here a recorded message of what happened in that area during the battle. It really helps you visualize the battle. They had the first social distance parking I've seen on my trip (every other spot available). Some wore masks, others didn't. No biggie. You're outside and away from people so stop making an issue of it maskateers. Flush toilets with running water. Decent sized parking lot. It was relatively busy when we went mid day in August. Give yourself about 2 hours. I would definitely stop if you are in the area.

A sad part of history. Very well preserved National Park. This is our second visit. It is a very somber reminder of what has happened. I hope it is preserved for generations. Our daughter got her junior ranger badge. Bring a cooler with water bottles on ice. Summer time is hot, no shaded parking. Also no pets allowed out of vehicles. We took turns staying with our dog.

Due to the ongoing C19 pandemic even the parking lot has distancing between cars which I think is ridiculous. Some people will be wearing masks while they walk around the paths but since you are in the outdoors I see no need for masks. The area is well marked and the sign displaying the historic information around the pathways is worth reading. If you collect the stamps for the US Parks booklet you will only get a copy of the seal on a cut piece of paper. A ranger leaves them taped along the wall next to the entrance of the building.

A sad but important piece of American History as the US Government forced the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho people on to the reservation. The grounds are extremely well maintained. The driving or walking routes offer a verbal tour by using your cell phone. (Yes, they actually get cell signal out here). Custer was an early pioneer of marketing himself. The countless photos and outfits to showcase who he was helps recreates who he was. The original outfits that we wore are showcased here. This is a must stop and see location. What did I learn today? There is also a national cemetery on the grounds that took reservations until it reached capacity in 1978.

Might get 5 stars but the national park prices are extremely high....which I wouldn't mind if there was some investment back into the properties but toilets, parking lots, roads always seem in bad shape??..little gift shop and museum are nice very informational and historical accurate. Rangers talks are a must, this crew does a nice job. The grounds, paths and markers are well done and yes maintained so it's a good stop for any history buff.

This is one of the most somber places I visited and a good conclusion in what spanned two years and countless miles. I have been chasing Lt-Col Custer's roundabouts for some time now during his participation in the Great Plains (Western Theatre) of the American Indian Wars. Custer has gained notoriety for being a who he is during the civil war, however is most famous for his hubris. Think Captain Agog. Battle of Little Big Horn a.k.a. "Custer's Last Stand" is self-explanatory. Once you come here, witness the landscape, and double take the numerical superiority versus inferior weaponry used, even the non-engaged will say "WTF?" Custer decided to leave his Gatling Guns in Dodge City, Kansas. If one or two of those devastating machines were brought over, there is a good chance, Little Big Horn would've been just another annihilation, another progression to assimilate savages to European/Psuedo Americanism, and the so forth. Basically, no one would give a crap. Well... unfortunately for the fallen 7th that wasn't the case. The main drag is a loop. you go in and come back. This loop is not chronological. If you go through it in this manner, you will be confused. The best place to start is to go all the way to the loop. and come back to look at stuff. The main road is not strategic so sometimes you have to make a bunch of u-turns. You can message me if you are curious or want more resources regarding the American Indian Wars which spans for 400 years (while some argue is still ongoing), on the Civil War, Manifest Destiny, or Lt Col Custer. The surrounding land is privately owned. Native Americans, Crow Nation, own the battleground so be careful where you walk. Natives hold gravesites dear and you might get shot if you do something stupid. There are still rifle pits on the side. Rifle pits are "trenches" dug by rifle butts cause of the sudden-ness or lack of shovels and space. The soldiers and indians were shooting at each other from less than 10 feet. Crazy! Hardin, MT and Sheriden, WY are the closest towns for rest, supplies, etc. These are small towns but have all the facilities, and fast food eateries. Safe travelings y'll.

Beautiful piece of history here! I'm amazed how beautiful the landmark was. It's 25 dollars to get in! But you get a lot for it, get to walk around the first set of gravestones. Then you get to go up the walk path, or down. Either one you pick. Walk it around go learn about the battle and learn from both sides. Then go to the gift shop, walk around the museum, you might find the wedding ring. Then get in your car and go up the hill, if you sit still the horses will walk to you. So make sure you have snacks. And don't let them tip you over. We had a tiny car, thought they would tip us over. But make your way up to the trail, the final part of the drive, is beautiful as well. You get to look at the land and how they took care of it. I really respected this, and glad I took the time to look around. I spent roughly three hours here. But it was worth my 25 dollars.

When I was on a road trip across the United States one of the stops was the Little Bighorn Battlefield. I was not prepared for how well the history of the area was maintained and communicated that was sensitive to both the Native American community as well as the United States perspective and as far as I could tell, explained the story from both sides. The visitor center offered a movie that explained the history, battle and offered a gift shop. Signs and displays did a great job of retelling the battle. The grave markers brought the events to reality. It appears the hills and landscape have been largely preserved from when the battle took place. A driving tour was available as well as foot traffic around designated areas of the battlefield. If anyone is a fan of history, I strongly recommend stopping by. It is a somber memorial of a tragic past event.

Incredibly well organized National Park. If you take the time to read all the signs, walk the various paved trails, and walk the veteran's cemetery, my guess is even the most jaded will be moved. It is well worth reading a book about the battle before visiting. It helps to place it in perspective. I spent about 2 1/2 hours. I could have spent at least another couple of hours if the visitor center was open (closed due to The Rona). Well worth the trip.

Even though it was about 3.5 hrs away from Butte. It seemed to take a lot longer. Unfortunately the visitors center was closed because of Covid. The monument is more like a mini national park. You can walk around or drive around. We did both because it was 100 degrees outside. What is nice there's a lot of pullouts were the signs are and a phone number you can call enter a code and hear a narrative. We drove really slow. About 8 miles an hour once we got to the new pullover it was time to enter another code.

Extremely moving. You can feel the spirit of the battle, the desperation on both sides. There should be more gratitude and acknowledgment of the sacrifice made by the Native American as their story of family, survival and passion goes far to unnoticed often. I think the reverence paid to Custer and his troops is a bit much considering the situation specific to this battle. This story should be about the natives and what they did to try to survive and not about a glory hound and the people who wanted to eradicate another race. The Rangers were great,the staff friendly. The bathroom was clean. The area well kept,clean and beautiful.

A very well run battlefield. There are 50 minute ranger talks every hour (don't miss!) as well as frequent showings of a 20 minute movie. There are also free self-guided walking and driving tours of the battlefield. Set aside at least 2 hours for your stop.

An amazing historical site. The memorial tastefully shows respect to both sides of the conflict. Make sure to take the scenic drive to dive into the entire battle! There are headstones spread over MILES with areas to pull over and learn about events during the battle.

He was 23 years old on June 28, 1876 when he rode to the site and helped dig the shallow graves to bury rotting corpses of more than 250 of his 7th Cavalry brethren who died under Lt. Col. Custer's command on June 25 and 26 at the Little Big Horn. Throughout his life he would be tortured by memories of the stench and sights of soldiers' bodies stripped and mutilated so that, in the belief of the victors, the fallen would not function in the afterlife. Had PTSD been an available diagnosis in those years he may have fit it. In the last years of his life, after dementia set in before he died in his 90's, he would lean forward, point and shout, "They're COMING! SEE them? THERE!" To calm him, my grade school age mother and great-great grandmother would assure my great-great grandfather they did see the Sioux warriors. My g-g grandmother, a couple of decades younger than her husband, would pass along these stories to me until she died in her late 90's. When I viewed the Little Big Horn Battlefield in June this year I thought of what my relative had seen 137 years earlier. History comes alive here. My husband said the battlefield held a palpable sense of what terror must have been in that place on those two days in June 1876. As heard in one of the Lakota Sioux warrior's oral history to his great grandson, the warrior made eye contact with a soldier as the soldier shot his horse in the head to use it as a breastplate. In the words of the warrior's great grandson, "The soldier's eyes said they knew he would not see another sun rise." You could hear the catch in the voice of the teller of that tale just as my husband also caught his breath at hearing it. We all share this history together. It helps to frame context to think about the US in 1876 and why the Little Big Horn defeat was shocking then and still studied now. The nation was celebrating our Centennial. The Union had survived the gruesome Civil War in the prior decade. George Custer was a hero of that war, a veritable military rock star thought to be invincible. He was sent as part of Government effort to "fix the Sioux problem once and for all". Which meant to herd the Lakota, whose leaders had not signed the treaty to cede territory to the US Government, to a reservation or kill them as they stood in the way of westward expansion. These are shameful things in the history of our great nation. This is one of them. It is easy to understand why Chief Crazy Horse and others wanted to protect their loved ones and way of life. If you visit, tips follow: 1) PLAN ENOUGH TIME: At least two hours or as much as half a day if you're a history buff. Some of the Ranger talks are great. 2) GO EARLY IN THE DAY: Crowds can be large even in slower tourist times of year. The parking lot has limited capacity and so does the visitor center. By early afternoon you may find both full. 3) SEE THE DOCUMENTARY IN THE VISITOR CENTER: This National Parks facility is "running on fumes" for funding as one Ranger said and the room in which the film is shown is rustic and the screen isn't all that big. Still, it is a powerful 15-ish minute introduction. 4) VISIT CUSTER NATIONAL CEMETERY: Located next to the Visitor Center. Take the time to walk the paved paths among the resting places of people who served this country in the Armed Forces to current times, including Medal of Honor winners, or who were family members of frontier soldiers in isolated posts and civilian scouts, including Native Americans. Pick up a guide ($1) to learn more about some of the people buried there. 5) VISIT LAST STAND HILL: Walk uphill on a paved path from the visitor center to the spot where Custer's body was found. At this location there is also a tall monument inscribed with the names of soldiers who died at the battle that contains remains. Many of the quickly and shallowly buried bodies in 1876 were uncovered and scattered by animals and elements of nature within a couple of years. Those bones were ultimately collected along with still buried remains and interred in a single monument on the site. (Remains of Officers who died in the battle, including Custer's, were exhumed and moved to cemetaries in the East.) Sculpture dedicated to Native American warriors is also at this location. 6) WALK THROUGH THE BATTLEFIELD: Walk downhill on a path from the Visitor Center through some of the battlefield. 7) DRIVE THE BATTLEFIELD: The 4 mi. road to Reno-Bereen Battlefield has marble markers showing where bodies were found and help frame scope of the loss. Since 1999 red granite markers have been added to note where Native American warriors fell. 8) ACCESSIBILITY NOTES: a) ADA Parking in visitor center lot and visitor center is accessible by ramp. b) For those unable to make the uphill walk to Last Stand (paved but steep), there are a couple of spaces of ADA parking near that site and you can drive up and park.

Not too far from Billings, if you have the time, it is an interesting stop. You can actually walk the same fields and hills as the soldiers & Indians did during the battle...the graves of the soldiers are all over the hillside where they think they fell during the fight, along with a few markers of the Cheyenne Warriors. a lot of walking is involved here, but well worth it.

-Watch the movie at the Visitor Center. It's a great introduction to the conflict. It's shown frequently. -$25 per vehicle but free if you have the National Park pass. -Check out the small museum in the Visitor Center before you head to the battlefield. One of the things that stuck with me was the diagram depicting the buffalo and what each and every part was used for by the Native Americans. It was a glum, rainy day when I came here and it was apropos. There is a memorial for US soldiers and a separate one for Native Americans (FYI, it wasn't purely US soldiers on one side and Native Americans on the other as the US army also employed Native American scouts, mostly Crow and Arikara). There is a guided driving tour (with battle details) as well but I didn't have time. Synopsis: Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, two Lakota (Sioux) leaders, strongly opposed and resisted the efforts of the US government to confine their people to reservations. A treaty agreement was reached to give the South Dakota Black Hills to the Lakota Indians (one of the last places they could exercise their traditional way of life, free from intrusion or confinement to a reservation). In 1875, gold was discovered the region but the Lakota would not give up the territory. In 1876, Lakota and Cheyenne (along with a smaller number of Arapaho) warriors gathered along the Little Bighorn River despite a federal order to go to the reservations. The U.S. Army, which included General George Custer and his 7th Cavalry, was sent to confront them. The Battle of the Little Bighorn (a/k/a Custer's Last Stand) was fought on June 25, 1876 and was a major Native American victory. Nonetheless, it led to increased efforts by the US government to subdue the Native Americans. Within five years, almost all the Sioux and Cheyenne would be at reservations.

First, let me say I expected that I'd feel little at the Little Bighorn. I was wrong. I'm not a flag waver and I strongly believe that what the U.S. government and it's citizens did to Native American Peoples is one of the most shameful, disgraceful and revolting undertakings in U.S. history. So, when we decided to stop at Little Bighorn I expected to be further revolted by the arrogant ass, also known as General Custer, and feel no real sympathy for the folks who lost their lives there. And, while I still feel that the battle outcome was just, I found myself completely engrossed in their last moments. This place is haunting. Make no mistake. We were there in early October and there were no crowds to distract us from the battlefield. It's a desolate, lonely place of rolling hills and tall grass. On the day that we were there, the sky was lapis blue, and the wind was just a whisper. We arrived too late to watch the video so instead we took the car tour and stopped at each kiosk to read the details of what happened at that specific spot. Crosses are lightly strewn across the landscape where each soldier fell. When I stood there and looked across the landscape and let myself imagine the scene that played out there, the battle became almost palpable. The fear and horror that they must've felt in their utterly hopeless situation felt real, like a horror movie that you can't turn away from. It made me wonder, did they ever, even once, realize that karma (if only on a small scale) had come for a visit? And I wondered, where are all of the National Parks dedicated to massacres of native peoples? It's shameful how one sided it still is.

I really enjoyed our visit to Little Bighorn Battlefield. We have the annual national park pass, and the price of admission here was included. The visitor center is very informative and a lot of historic relics. I also really enjoyed walking down the path to the ravine which had many markers for fallen soldiers. There are several plaques throughout the site with information on the battle. The site itself is stunning despite the horrific events that happened here. This is a definite must if you are ever in the area.

We stopped off at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument en route from Yellowstone to the Badlands. At the visitor center is a national cemetery for veterans of American wars from the Indian Wars to Vietnam. You will then probably want to spend a half hour or so at the visitor center, watch the excellent movie and look at the exhibits. The visitor center is small but does the job. Most people then take a driving tour of the "battleground" where Lt. Col. George Custer and his fellow officers lost nearly 300 men to an overwhelming force of Sioux, Lakota and other Native American warriors. While the exhibits are interesting, this national monument pales in comparison to other national park units nearby, such as Yellowstone and the Badlands. It is best suited for Western history buffs or those with an interest in Native American history.

While on a 14 day road trip vacation to celebrate my parents 52nd Wedding Anniversary we ended up in Sheridan, Wyoming to visit the Battlefield for the Battle of Little Bighorn National Historic Park where General Custer was killed during battle by the Lakota Indians. This is one of my daddy's favorite places to visit. He has been here several times in the past with my mommy. He was so sad that it had changed so much since the last time he was there. I was so sad for him. It was heart breaking.. History: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument preserves the site of the June 25 and 26, 1876, Battle of the Little Bighorn, near Crow Agency, Montana, in the United States. It also serves as a memorial to those who fought in the battle: George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry and a combined Lakota-Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho force. Custer National Cemetery, on the battlefield, is part of the national monument. The site of a related military action led by Marcus Reno and Frederick Benteen is also part of the national monument, but is about three miles (5 km) southeast of the Little Bighorn battlefield History of the Site: *25 and 26 June 1876: Battle of Little Big Horn *29 January 1879: The Secretary of War first preserved the site as a U.S. National Cemetery, to protect graves of the 7th Cavalry troopers buried there. *1877: Custer, who had been buried there, was reinterred in West Point Cemetery. *7 December 1886: The site was proclaimed National Cemetery of Custer's Battlefield Reservation to include burials of other campaigns and wars. The name has been shortened to "Custer National Cemetery". *5 November 1887: Battle of Crow Agency, three miles north of Custer battlefield *14 April 1926: Reno-Benteen Battlefield was added *1 July 1940: The site was transferred from the United States Department of War to the National Park Service *22 March 1946: The site was redesignated "Custer Battlefield National Monument". *15 October 1966: The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4] *11 August 1983: A wildfire destroyed dense thorn scrub which over the years had seeded itself about and covered the site.[5] This allowed archaeologists access to the site. *1984, 1985: Archaeological digging on site. *10 December 1991: The site was renamed Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument by a law signed by then President George H. W. Bush

Pretty awesome monument and great for a "lunch stop" on a long day's drive. Awesome views, very informative.

I can't believe we drove all the way out there and it was closed to the public! The lady at the gas station near by said as it's on the reservation land they can do as they please and decided not to open it until later in the summer!!!! She said she was sorry and wished someone would let the public know as she says a lot of people say the same thing.

The Little Bighorn Battlefield is a destination for any history and National Park fan. This is a place to visit slowly and quietly. The marble headstones are very powerful. A marker at the location were a soldier fell. Think about the events that happened, the difficulty of the situation and the day. The soldiers were wearing dark clothing, they had very limited water, there is/was very little cover and it was estimated at 100 degrees the day of the battle. And they had nowhere to go. On the Little Bighorn River were the combined forces of Lakota, Dakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho, who came together to resist the US Govt taking the land and compelling their removal by force. The Tribes defeated the US Cavalry at Little Bighorn. In recent years the Tribes have placed alabaster headstones for Tribal warriors who fell fighting the Cav. A few years ago, Park Service and the Tribes dedicated a great monument to all of the Tribes (and individual Native Americans) who fought at Little Bighorn. The Tribes who fought Custer and the Tribes who scouted with him are represented. The metal sculpture showing warriors on horseback is very beautiful. Its really neat looking through the metal from the distance and seeing the grasslands and foothills to the east. Walk the grounds, visit the stones off in the fields. Do it slowly and respectfully, and watch for snakes! The whole scene is very powerful, clusters of marble and alabaster headstones. The museum is small, but really good. I've been to the Battlefield a few times. I think that the Park Service really works hard to add to the museum experience and to the understanding and interpretation of the events. Also, its very much noting that Reno Hill adjoins the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Major Reno's story and actions makes for an interesting contrast to Custer's. Personally, I think that to fully appreciate the situation (and how stupid Custer was), one needs to visit both battlefields. I'm not big on visiting cemeteries. However, there is a military cemetery on the grounds. Those places are humbling, seeing the marble headstones lined up and considering the lives of the soldiers lying there. And lets not forget that the Tribes are Sovereign Nation citizens and also American citizens and do answer the call to service when the time comes. There isn't any camping on the Battlefield and not much for services in the area. That's OK, let the ghosts have some peace. It is right off of I-90, not far from Sheridan or Billings.

I should preface this my saying that I am not a history buff. I try, I really do, but... My husband came here with his family in the 70s and he wanted to see it again. It's $20 for a car. The pricing on the website is a little confusing; I guess rates were raised from $15 to $20 not long ago. There is a nice visitors center with a gift shop and a really interesting museum. It's small so I didn't feel overwhelmed with the information and I could look and read at my own pace. We then took the five mile loop-drive and stopped to read almost all of the signs. It was a really beautiful day with very few other cars. We were able to see a few pronghorn in the fields along with a number of horses. We saw prairie dogs on the way out. I know they can be a nuisance, but I think prairie dogs are just adorable. :) My husband got much more out of this than I did, but it was worth the time and money spent.

I've been coming to Little Bighorn Battlefield since I was child. Then I moved to Hardin about 1 year ago. The change in my perspective from being a child to now is immense. Previously, I thought it was an interesting part of history. Something you read in a text book. I found it interesting to walk the grounds and look at the tombstones, looking over the Little Bighorn river and thinking how beautiful it was down there. I watched the videos and looked around the gift shop. Thought how terrible life must have been and how stupid Custer was. Now, I see how much this battle has effected generations of people. Now it's like it hasn't really ended for the peoples here. There is a sense of us and them and if you want to know what it's like, go to the Teepee gas station in Crow or drive down a street in your Cadillac with Ohio plates or some other faraway state. You'll see the effect that pushing people out of their homes and into life that no one would want to live in would be like. You want to judge people based on what somebody told you. Or what you've seen on TV. But you've got no idea. The Battlefield is important for history and when I hear locals haven't been, I don't understand it. The histories of the people are culturally significant on many levels. And if you think the river doesn't have blood in it even now, you'd be mistaken. Please respect this land and where you are, you are entering another world. You are the outsider. Iichik Deloam (it's good you came)

I've wanted to visit this Battlefield since I was a child so this trip was 40years in the making. It was just as I had pictured it in my mind's eye. We were there for the 142nd anniversary celebration. Enjoyed the charging of the hill and listening to descendants from the battle speak. Don't miss the Native American monument while you're there! Hauntingly beautiful place

Loved the park rangers at this battlefield. So knowledgeable. This place has solemn grandeur. The waves of wheat colored grasses and memorials dotting the fields along with a cemetery on site. Very respectful and tasteful. You can take a trailer along the 10 mile roundtrip battlefield. There is a turnaround at the end. We took our 21 foot trailer thru with no problem and i saw a class A go thru too.

This National Monument memorializes the thunderous clash between the 263 soldiers of Lt. Col. George Custer and thousands of Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors led by Crazy Horse, Chief Gall, and Sitting Bull. Custer aimed to force the tribes back onto their reservations and the tribespeople wished to live on these, their ancestral hunting grounds to pursue their former way of life. The site is a contemplative one of far views, steep bluffs, and tall, waving grass along the Little Bighorn River. After viewing the soldiers' and Indians' monuments on two facing hills, I could really visualize the disasterous historic disparity between these two groups: the buffalo/horse culture of the northern plains Indian tribes, and the highly systematized culture of the US whose people needed more and more land in the west. I listened to a very good, free 30 min. Ranger presentation on the conflict and its greater historical context that I highly recommend. Also, Apsaalooke Tours offers its own 1-hour van tour of the battlefield and surrounding areas with various prices for adults, seniors, and children. There's an adequate bookstore/gift shop, and the Rangers were very friendly.

@ Helen D. Thank you for the lecture on CRT. I presume you could find institutional racism in a frozen pizza if you looked hard enough. However, your interpretations are your own, even if they are seeded with post-colonial thought. To me, a White Male, (positionality statement) this place marks a sorrowful, lonely hill where young soldiers and warriors died. It features a running battle, overextended military endeavors, and a perspective into the conflicts that marked this era of the history of the continent. Substitute your disdain for reverence to loss of human life regardless of cultural origin as you enter, and return to your myopic world view as you leave. Just try not to spoil it for the rest of us please. Can't wait to read your review on the Rape of Nanking.

We stopped at this Battlefield while traveling East to Minnesota. First stop was the Visitor Center - browsed the Calvary and Indian displays in the Center. Next was the overview video presentation of the battle - excellent information and a must watch before touring the battlefield. We toured the battlefield via car - the display boards along the route were very informative and helped visualize the important parts of the battle. Great Battlefield and a must visit when in the area!

What a great memorial to the fallen Native Americans as well as the soldiers. Such a shame of a battle...

I LOVE battle fields. They are such unique ways to relive history. I do wish this battlefield had more signage with respect to what you are looking at and where you are located on the battlefield. The addition. Of the American Indian tribute is wonderful! I LOVE the art and the history presented on the walls from the Native perspective. I also loved the purple head stones showing where the American Indians fell on the battlefield. So glad this story was not presented from just one perspective.