rosebud battlefield state park

I was the only one there, with just some pinto ponies wandering nearby. The road is gravel, but the site is only a couple of miles from the highway. There is a circular road, quite rough, around part of the battlefield. There are descriptive signs at the "entrance", but no signs along the circular road. I couldn't tell if I was on Crook's Hill or not, because there are so many hills. I'm pretty sure that I correctly identified Maj. Royall's Hill. The site is prettier than the Little Big Horn site. The battle was just as big as Little Big Horn, but Crook staved off defeat with major help from his Indian allies, and from the long range rifles carried by his infantry. Crook could not continue with his mission, but retired to his base at Sheridan to refit. A few days later, some of the same warriors destroyed Custer a little farther north, along the Little Big Horn. The State of Montana could do so much more with this site, considering the importance of the battle.

I would like to see this park become part of the National Park Service as in my opinion this battle sealed the fate of General Custer at the Little Big Horn 8 days later. In my opinion if General Crook had continued his march towards the Indian camp the Custer fight would never have happened. It is not only my opinion.The park is located on Decker Road (Hwy 338) on the way from Sheridan to Busby. The last couple of miles is on a dirt road. It's a little hard to find and there is no one there to greet you upon arrival. There are a few monuments but little else. It seems so neglected. Even the fee is on the honour system. There is a circle dirt road around the battle area but the lands all round are private. It's very lonesome there but for me very inspiring. If you are going to the Little Big Horn I urge you to stop over here first.

Perhaps it was timing but we enjoyed seeing this site given its history related to events at Little Bighorn. We left early and the ride through the valley out to the site was amazing as it was lightly raining with a little mist. The site is not developed but does sport a restroom as well as history plaques that provide a summary of events. There is a small entry fee but the ride is beautiful and understanding its relation to Little Bighorn makes it worth it.

Very worth the trip! Very important history. The guides were great at explaining the history of the location. Breathtaking views. Everybody very friendly and helpful. Small gift shop with some local artisans work. Very clean.

This is an important historical location as it significantly foreshadows Custer's Last Stand. Custer was part of a three-pronged strategy and he was not even in command of his segment, General Terry was and Custer served at his behest. Crook's command was surprised literally during a coffe-break by Crazy Horse, who aggressively attacked the command. It was only saved for the fate awaiting Custer by the brave action of their Indian scouts who held off Crazy Horse until Crook's command mobilized. Important because this action by Crazy Horse indicated a very aggressive posture on the part of this large Indian encampment, not the usual scattering when confronted by the military. Crook retreated in the gace of this attack and basically took the rest of the summer off, without telling either Terry/Custer or Gibbon, who led the third prong. So, an important site. But, this appears a hiking location, not a drive-tour, as is Little Bighorn. Maps provided are poor, as those at Little Bighorn are excellent. I could not find the trail, or any trail with my car. Landscape is beautiful and worth a visit to see the scenery, but a poorly presented historical site. The information when you arrive is excellent, telling the full story. However, those really wanting to see what happened where will really have to hike versus drive. Given that Little Bighorn Rangers kept warning of rattlesnakes in the region and that there was no cell-phone reception or even the hint of any Rangers or other living person in the area, not conducive to parking your car and hiking out with poorly presented maps. Too bad. Location badly needs some work to make it more user-friendly. Could be an important site as only about one hour drive from Little Bighorn.

After a drive of about a mile and a half from the highway over a rough dirt road, I arrived at the "Visitor Center", which consisted of a locked bathroom, a couple of markers, and a billboard-type exhibit describing the battle here and the location of various sites of the combat. There is supposed to be an old ranch house somewhere in the park serving as the Park Ranger's quarters – but I never found it!Driving now over an even more brutal and vegetation-clogged unpaved road, I reached the top of Crook's Hill, from which I had a marvelous view down onto the battlefield and across the valley toward the Bighorn Mountains. Although this battle was a "draw", it forced Crook's command to return to Fort Laramie, thus removing one prong of the three-pronged campaign against the Sioux, which probably contributed to the disaster at the Little Bighorn.