Winter has come early to the Big Hole Valley with nearly two feet of snow already on the ground at the Battlefield. Night time temperatures dip into the single digits nightly keeping the snow around. The road to the lower battlefield parking area is closed for the season. Once conditions are favorable the road and two trails will be accessed by snowshoes and cross-country skis only. Call the Battlefield for current trail conditions.
New Visitor Center hours begin November 20, 2005 opening at 10:00 am and closing at 5:00 pm daily. These hours will be in affect until February 1, 2006. The Visitor Center contains a small museum with exhibits, an introductory video, viewing deck of the battlefield, and a book sales area. Staff is on hand to answer questions and assist with visitor understanding of the tragic event of the 1877 Nez Perce War.
Holiday closures for the fall and early winter include: Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2005, December 25 & 26, 2005 and again on January 1 and 2, 2006 for the Federal Holidays.