Exploring Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument - PullOverAndLetMeOut.Com (2024)

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I was in Montana for a travel writers convention that was held in Billings, in September, 2019. One of the many pre-conference tours offered included a trip to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. For an east coast girl with a passion for history, it was a no-brainer. This was the tour for me. There was no way I’d come this far west and not, right? Nonetheless, I had no idea how impactful my visit would be.

The wild grass swaying in the breeze and people strolling the grounds under big gray skies, provided a somber backdrop befitting the events this monument memorializes. As our van drove through the gates, I looked out the window and was struck by the vast open space and couldn’t imagine a battle taking place here.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is part of the National Park Service and as such, is well-staffed with rangers prepared to share the story of this important location. There’s a 25-minute orientation video offered in the visitors center, I recommend viewing before venturing outside. In addition to the video, the museum is brimming with both natural history and cultural collections that set the stage for not just the infamous battle, but that also tell the tale of the land and its inhabitants throughout the ages. You’ll want to allot time to fully experience all the displays and artifacts on site.

Since we were part of a pre-arranged tour, we were fortunate to have Park Ranger, Ken Woody, on hand to give us an overview of the events leading up to and following the fateful battle of June 25 and 26, 1876. We were spellbound as he spoke about the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry, the Lakota Sioux, the Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes. We learned about the Larimer Treaty of 1868 which created a large reservation and also of the U.S. government’s desire for the tribes to forsake their nomadic lifestyle which often brought them into skirmishes with other tribes. We learned of vision quests and heard familiar names like Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and General Custer. His discourse was riveting as I noted people who weren’t part of our group moving closer in order to hear his voice over the breeze.

As I mentioned, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time in the museum. It’s filled with not only historic relics, but cultural artifacts as well. One can easily spend hours immersed in the exhibits, which include archeological materials excavated from the grounds. There’s also military equipment, weapons, uniforms, and the like. However, the one display that surprised me was dedicated to General George A. Custer.

I didn’t expect to find a tender love story. It was General Custer’s wife, Elizabeth’s “wish that mementos of their life together be shared with the American people.” The exhibit includes a multitude of items General Custer used and she had saved from the time he was at West Point through his days on the Great Plains. It’s a sweet and touching tribute.

When visiting and exploring Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, it’s important to give yourself at least two to three hours. In addition to the museum, monument, Final Stand Hill, Indian Memorial, and Custer National Cemetery, there’s also the Deep Ravine Trail and tour road to the Reno-Benteen Battlefield, which was the second-stage of the Battle of Little Bighorn. You can easily spend an entire day deep-diving into this historic setting.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is an hour east of Billings, Montana. Its setting is a high grass plain, and the weather is noted for its extremes. On our visit, the wind was constant and it was cool in the upper 50s on September 10th. I was glad I had my jacket and a scarf with me. You may also wish to explore the battlefield and cemetery so consider your footwear when planning your visit. You’ll be walking.

Little Bighorn is a National Park. The admission for a non-commercial vehicle is $25 but there are five days each year when admission is free. You’ll want to check their website for details such as seasons, hours, and pet visitors. There are park rangers and plenty of informational signs, but should you prefer a guided tour, The Crow Nation Office of Tourism offers one-hour guided tours that begin at the visitors center. (link here)

(406) 638-3216