The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, situated on the rolling plains of Crow Agency in southeastern Montana, preserves the site of one of the most pivotal military confrontations in American history. On June 25–26, 1876, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and five companies of the U.S. 7th Cavalry were annihilated by a combined force of Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors led in part by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. The engagement, known to the Lakota as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, resulted in the deaths of approximately 268 U.S. soldiers and an estimated 60–100 warriors.
The monument encompasses roughly 765 acres of shortgrass prairie and serves as the final resting place of many who fell in the conflict. White marble headstones dot the hillside at Last Stand Hill, each marking where soldiers fell, while a granite obelisk erected in 1881 rises above a mass grave holding the remains of Custer's command. A red granite memorial installed in 1999 honors the Native American warriors and civilians who fought and died defending their way of life, offering a more balanced historical interpretation of the battle. The Indian Memorial, dedicated in 2003, features bronze Spirit Warrior sculptures and a circular earthen berm design symbolizing the warrior societies that participated.
Visitors can drive the 4.5-mile Battlefield Tour Road, stopping at interpretive markers that describe the chronology of the battle, the movements of Custer's divided regiment, and the positions of the tribal encampment. The on-site museum in the visitor center displays original weapons, photographs, maps, and personal artifacts from both sides of the conflict. Rangers offer daily interpretive talks during summer months, and licensed Crow Nation guides are available for more in-depth tours. The monument is managed by the National Park Service and sits within the boundaries of the Crow Indian Reservation. It stands as one of the most contested and emotionally significant landscapes in the American West, representing both the end of armed Native American resistance on the northern plains and the complex legacies of frontier expansion.
Why it matters
The Battle of the Little Bighorn on June 25–26, 1876 was the most significant U.S. Army defeat of the Plains Indian Wars, in which over 260 soldiers including Lieutenant Colonel George Custer were killed by Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors; the site is both a military cemetery and a landmark of Indigenous resistance to U.S. territorial expansion.
Location
756 Battlefield Tour Rd, Crow Agency, MT 59022
45.5675, -107.4267 View on map
Highlights
- White marble headstones marking where 7th Cavalry soldiers fell at Last Stand Hill
- Red granite Indian Memorial honoring Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors who died in the battle
- 4.5-mile self-guided Battlefield Tour Road with chronological interpretive markers
- Bronze Spirit Warrior sculptures at the 2003 Indian Memorial earthen berm
- Visitor center museum displaying original weapons, maps, and photographs from both sides
Tips for visiting
- Arrive early in summer—the parking lot fills by midmorning and heat on the open plain builds quickly
- Pick up the self-guided tour map at the visitor center before driving the Battlefield Tour Road
- Ranger-led talks at Last Stand Hill typically run at 10am and 2pm in summer—confirm the schedule at the entrance
- The America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers the $25/vehicle fee—worthwhile if visiting other national parks on the same trip
- Wear sunscreen and bring water; there is almost no shade on the battlefield
Frequently asked questions
How long does a full visit take?
Most visitors spend 2–3 hours covering the visitor center museum, Last Stand Hill, and the Indian Memorial via the self-guided tour. Those attending ranger programs or hiring a Crow Nation guide typically spend 4 or more hours.
Is the battlefield appropriate for children?
Yes. The subject matter is sobering but well-suited for school-age children. Ranger programs are engaging for families, and the open landscape helps bring the history to life in a tangible way.
Are guided tours available on site?
Licensed Crow Nation guides offer tours on a fee basis and can be arranged through local operators in Crow Agency. National Park Service rangers lead free interpretive talks at scheduled times during summer.
Is the site accessible for visitors with mobility limitations?
The visitor center, museum, and Last Stand Hill overlook are wheelchair accessible. The Battlefield Tour Road is fully drivable. Some walking paths have uneven terrain.