little big horn battlefield

It was a amazing drive. Through. The history of america. Definitely a place for the bucket list. Watch the movie about it in the beginning. Tells about the battle.

Particular the var ride from Billings was overwhelming. You can really feel the history on the small tour across the prairie.

visited this site several years ago as part of an army war college staff ride to learn about the mistakes made. too many to count, but suffice it to say it was bad communication and too aggressive pretty much sums it up. we got to see a bit more detail then the average visitor, were allowed access to places most don't get to go but the actual site is impressive, standing there imagining the soldiers trying to fight off the masses of Indians swarming over their positions. they never had a chance. worth the visit if youre interested in American history

Little Bighorn was surprisingly interesting. One can imagine the Indians camped down along the river, while Custer and his troops move in, for what they thought would be an easy engagement. Don't skip the video, and walk the prairie, stopping where so many people lost their lives.

We visited the battlefield more at more husband's urging - it took us out of the way of our Bozeman/Yellowstone visit. I was told by two friends prior to departure that it would be well worth it, and it was. As my husband stated after the visit, this land just sort of "speaks to you." We started in the visitor center, and the film and a look around gave us a good start. We then sat in on a ranger's outdoor lecture: he was an informed ranger, but also a skilled story teller, which gave him a captive audience. We then did our own walking tour, and then the driving tour into the outer areas of the battlefield. I certainly learned a lot about the early history and what took place in the area and felt touched by what happened there. Of note: other than an interstate a distance away, it was an expansive setting, unlike many outdoor historical sites that are wedged in between strip malls and housing developments, and that added to the enjoyment of the visit. The wide open spaces helped us transport ourselves back in time. We were there a long time; my daughter and I drive down the hill to the outpost for a lunch break and had a great Navajo fry bread sandwich; there really aren't concessions or food (maybe a vending machine) on site at the historical site. Well worth a stop, whether you are in the area, or whether you need to make a diversion, as we did. My teenage children, 15 and 18, were also very engaged in this visit.

Show your respect for the fallen of the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry and the Sioux and Cheyenne. The Native Americans response at this battlefield was one of the last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. Here on June 25 and 26 of 1876, 263 soldiers, including Lt. Col. George A. Custer and attached personnel of the U.S. Army, died fighting several thousand Lakota, and Cheyenne warriors. This site reminds you that that all our actions have an equal and opposite reaction!

It appears that Custard and his men were sorely outnumbered, most likely because he and his company split directions. The battle field stretches across 5 miles. The park authorities did a great job trying to lay out marker information to assist you to visualize the battle as it occurred. I would recommend not going to the hill where Custard made his last stand first... instead, drive pass the sight and go all the way out to the other end. This is the beginning of the story and it's easier to picture in your mind if you do things in order, verses working backwards.

This place was absolutely fascinating. Of all the places I visited out West, this was one of the most memorable and I recommend it to all.The story of the event is unbelievable. As well as being fascinated by the battlefield, we also enjoyed visiting the museum and seeing all the artifacts. This was my second visit and I will definitely return again.

Two cultures clashed and both lost. This museum tells the story with a balanced view. Take time to walk the battle ground and breathe the Montana air in this sacred spot.

The park does an amazing job of presenting facts and maintaining the area. Plan to spend no less than 4 hours to give the grounds and the experience the time it deserves to impress upon the whole of the history of the times, the actual battle and the repercussions this day made to the way of life to every person in our country and to the direction of the future ahead. It was a turning point in U. S. history that had come to it's breaking point. And everyone, everyone lost.

I've been to Gettysburg in Pennsylvania and I've been to the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana and, in both cases, I got a deep feeling of awe and respect and understanding from walking the grounds of two of the most historic landscapes in our nation's history. Ironically, Gettysburg was where General George Armstrong Custer made his reputation as a gallant and resourceful and free-wheeling soldier and the Little Bighorn is where Custer's legend and 200 troopers of the 7th Cavalry were wiped out by Native Americans led by Sitting Bull, Gall and Crazy Horse. Today, the site remains a solemn and somber, even sacred, place to visit. It remains much as it was on that fateful day in June, 1876. It's just easier to get to the site, via I-90 north of Sheridan, Wyoming, or south of Billings, Montana. Each year, new books are published about Custer and the battle. More archeological information was uncovered after a fire in 1983. Start at the visitors center where park rangers offer detailed presentations of the battle, where to go, what to see, what happened where. Suggestion: Be sure to read a book on the subject before you go. Trust me, the battle will come alive once you have an understanding of the site, where the Indian encampment was, where Custer's soldiers were, how they split up, how Marcus Reno attacked, how he retreated to the bluffs, how he and Frederick Benteen held off repeated Indian attacks after they had wiped out Custer's command about three miles away. This isn't an Errol Flynn movie. To get a full understanding of the battle, read James Donovan's "A Terrible Glory" or Nathaniel Philbrick's "The Last Stand" or Evan Connell's "Son of Morning Star." Once you have educated yourself about the battle and begin walking and driving around the site, you will feel as though you are there on that fateful day in 1876. Stand on the bluff overlooking the Native American campsite, where Reno opened the battle by crossing the Little Bighorn River and attacking the Indian village from the south, then retreated to the same spot to hold off repeated attacks by the Lakotas and Northern Cheyennes. Then follow the road from the Reno/Benteen site along the bluff to Last Stand Hill, where Custer and his command met their end, where Custer and his two brothers Tom and Boston were killed. Tombstones have been erected throughout the site to designate the spots where a trooper or scout was killed. Over the years, the story of the Native Americans has been given a more significant role. Markers honoring the Indians who fought at Little Bighorn, including Crazy Horse, have been added. In 1999, the first of five red granite markers denoting where two Cheyenne warriors fell during the battle were placed on the battlefield for Lame White Man and Noisy Walking. Later, markers were added for Long Road of the Sans Arc and Dog's Back Bone of the Minniconjou. You wouldn't be human if you didn't feel a bit eerie while walking the ravines and hillsides to follow the ebbs and flows of the battle. The site is so pristine, as it was in 1876, it comes alive. You almost expect Custer (or Errol Flynn) to appear at the top of the bluff and waving his hat as he saw the hundreds of Indian tents for the first time.

An excellent way to gain an understanding and appreciation of why the Native Americans won the Battle of the Little Bighorn but ultimately lost the war and their way of life.

If you are any sort of history buff, this is a must visit. We were fortunate, during a rainstorm, to hear a presentation of the battle from one of the park rangers that is an expert. He not only told the story, he made it come alive! I would have paid big bucks to here him talk about something that you could tell he was so passionate about. The walk to the top of the last stand hill, the drive down the battlefield, made to come to understand what had happened here and how it happened. Not a Gettysburg, but a must!

I've driven past this many times not realizing just a couple of miles off I-25 is this historic spot. I stopped on a classic fall afternoon. Another reviewer used the term somber. I agree completely. It is the same feeling I have felt at other battlegrounds, Manasas, Gettysburg, the beaches of Normandy, etc. Perhaps it is the awareness of the Fallen, I'm not sure. But the visitors are quiet and respectful. I only had any hour to visit, but I shall return.

Visited here as part of our tour through National Parks with Archers Cosmos (excellent tour). Our Ranger was very enthusiastic as he explained the history and facts of the battle. So moving to see the scope of the land, the huge vastness and we marvelled at the fact that the battle took place in the mad heat of June, they had no food, no water and exhausted dying horses. How they managed to battle was unbelievable. Our Ranger told us it was all over in about half an hour! Such a juxtaposition from the glamour of the movies. A marvellous, moving, national exhibit and a must see.