Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
4.7(5.5K)google
4.4(90)yelp
Must-SeeEducationalVisitor CenterOutdoorGuided TourMilitaryNational Monument
Overview
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.
Practical Info
MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
ThuClosed
Fri8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sun8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours
Best TimeOpen year-round, this profoundly moving historical battlefield marks the iconic 1876 clash between Lieutenant Colonel Custer's 7th Cavalry and the Lakota and Cheyenne nations. Arriving at opening at 8:00 AM or late afternoon from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM during September or October is unparalleled; low-angled golden sun rays pierce the rolling prairie grasses, illuminating solitary white marble markers across Last Stand Hill.
Getting ThereSituated in southeastern Montana at Crow Agency. Driving is the exclusive means of transit: navigate along highway I-90 to Exit 510 (Crow Agency), turn immediately onto MT-212 East, and drive 1 mile straight to the national monument gates; the park features its own expansive paved customer parking infrastructure. The historical 4.5-mile driving tour route loops deep into the prairie; no public bus lines run here.
Travel Tips
- Surrounded by the Crow Indian Reservation, visitors must remain on paved park trails and roads; crossing fences onto the battlefield grass risks federal and tribal trespassing prosecution.
- As a sacred burial ground, federal law strictly bans recreational drone flights, amplified music, climbing on white stone markers, and the use of metal detectors.
- The 4.5-mile Tour Road is narrow with minimal pullouts; vehicles and RV/trailer combinations exceeding 25 feet are banned and must park at the visitor center.
Reviews
Positive
- An epic and solemn historic battlefield site; the white and red marble markers scattered across the ridges silently tell the fierce clash of Custer and the Lakota, deeply moving and authentic.
- The NPS management is top-notch; the visitor center houses a high-quality mini-museum showing background documentaries, and the rangers' history talks are passionate and objective.
- Driving the 4.5-mile battlefield auto tour loop is convenient; each major engagement point features detailed audio/visual guide signs, and roads/facilities are impeccably maintained.
- The entry fee follows standard NPS rates, offering great value; the Indian Memorial design is beautiful, perfectly balancing multi-perspective history in a solemn, quiet ambiance.
Heads up
- The entire battlefield is in an arid, open savanna; summer middays are scorching, and short trails are fully exposed to the sun, risking heatstroke, while mosquitoes/horseflies are aggressive.
- The location is quite isolated and remote from commercial centers; there are no quality diners or convenience stores for miles, forcing you to pack lunch, and restrooms fall short in peak season.
- During peak summer road trips, the tight ridge parking lot and core viewpoints suffer heavy congestion; limited spaces force guests to queue on roads, diluting the solemn vibe with noise.
- While the main loop and visitor center are accessible, some historic footpaths deep into ravines are gravelly and steep without wheelchair access, limiting exploration for those with low mobility.