2012: 136th Anniversary of ‘Last Stand Battle’
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Open Year Round
Little Bighorn Battlefield is 15 miles east of Hardin. Picture, if you can, June
25, 1876, the day when over 210 troopers of the 7th Cavalry fell in battle. The
thunder of hooves, war cries of the Teton Sioux and Northern Cheyenne Indians,
rifle fire and death chants softly echo across the plain. This was...
...Custer’s Last Stand
June 25, 2012 marks the 136th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
The Visitor Center displays exhibits on the battle, Indian culture, and frontier
soldiers. New interpretive exhibits include “People of the Plains,” a story of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho people at the time of the battle
in 1876. Full-size photographic cut-outs and artifacts from the battlefield
collection interpret the many roles that tribal members played, including the
warrior’s dual role as hunter and warrior.
“Tools of the Battle” describes the vast assortment of weapons used in the battle by the 7th Cavalry
and the Native American warriors.
“Unraveling the Mystery” is an exhibit of the important archaeological surveys conducted on the
battlefield and how the recovered artifacts provide an understanding of what
may have happened during the battle. Firearms analysis and forensic pathology
have revealed not only individual weapon types and details of movements during
the battle, but also important clues about the various equipment used by both
sides.
The Visitor Center is open in April and May from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., June-July 8
a.m.-9 p.m., August 8 a.m.-8 p.m., fall 8 a.m.-6 p.m., winter 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Daily ranger talks and movies are provided. The cemetery was closed to further
expansion in 1978.
Hiking is permitted on a 3/4 mile interpretation trail, self-guided with
brochures. There is also a self-guiding booklet for the cemetery.
The battlefield is located 61 miles south of Billings, Montana, and 65 miles
north of Sheridan, Wyoming, at the junction of Interstate 90, and Montana
Highway 212.
Little Bighorn offers a wide range of interpretive opportunities.
Self-guided walking tours are available for the battle-related sites and the
national cemetery.
A self-guiding, 5-mile tour road enables visitors to follow and observe the
sites related to the battle.
Three walking trails have been established: Reno-Benteen Defense site, 5 miles
south of the Custer field; Keogh/Crazy Horse position on battle ridge; and
along Deep Ravine, west of battle ridge.
Custer National Cemetery contains burials that are historic to northern plains
events as well as burial of veterans and dependents from 1879-present.
White Swan Memorial Library contains the finest collection of research
materials available on the battle of the Little Bighorn, as well as other
related historical events.
Phone Number
For additional information, write to Little Bighorn Battlefield National
Monument, P.O. Box 39, Crow Agency, MT 59022. For any questions, call the
Battlefield Information line: (406) 638-2621. www.nps.gov/libi/index.htm
Crow Agency, Montana
Crow Agency, just 1 mile west of Little Bighorn Battlefield, is the location of the Crow
Fair, held annually the third weekend of August. A Powwow is held in
conjunction with the fair and rodeo. The authentic Indian event features
colorful costumes made with feathers, rawhide, and millions of beads. Parades,
dancing contests, racing events and pari-mutuel betting are featured daily.
Visitors are always welcome.
Crow Agency has a hospital designed with unique Indian architecture. The Crow
tribe has its own government.
The Crow Reservation, covering about 2,500,000 acres in Big Horn County,
encompasses Lodge Grass, St. Xavier, Crow Agency, Pryor and Fort Smith.
Rosebud Battle a Foreshadowing to the Battle of the Little Bighorn
The Battle of the Rosebud symbolizes the Indians’ first stiff resistance in the Sioux War of 1876. Its outcome had an impact on
Lt. Col. George A. Custer’s devastating defeat on the Little Bighorn only a week later.
The June 17, 1876, battle between the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians and General
George Crook’s cavalry and infantry was one of the largest Indian battles ever waged in the
United States. It set the stage for the Indian victory eight days later when
Lt. Col. George A. Custer and his immediate command were wiped out on the
Little Bighorn. A self-guided tour with interpretive signs is managed by
Montana State Parks. (25 miles east of Crow Agency on U.S. 212, then 20 miles
south on Secondary 314, then 1.5 miles west on county road; 3,052 acres; 4,300’ el. (406) 232-0900.)
In June 2010, the site was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
There is no charge for entrance. Camping is not allowed.
