Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (MT)
Read MoreLittle Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Entrance
The main entrance to the monument is along US-212, just off Interstate 90 south of Crow Agency...
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Visitor Center
The visitor center is a small unassuming structure. Unfortunately, as it was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I can't comment on the facilities inside...
1. Native American Encampment (Illustrated)
"On June 25, 1876, approximately 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe, including 1,500-2,500 warriors, are encamped below along the Little Bighorn River. Led by Sitting Bull, they refused to be restricted to their reservation, preferring their traditional nomadic way of life." -- National Monument Brochure
"On June 25, 1876, approximately 7,000 Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe, including 1,500-2,500 warriors, are encamped below along the Little Bighorn River. Led by Sitting Bull, they refused to be restricted to their reservation, preferring their traditional nomadic way of life." -- National Monument Brochure
2. Custer's Advance (Crow's Nest)
"From a promontory 13 miles away in the Wolf Mountains, Custer's scouts observe the Lakota, and Cheyenne pony herd and evidence of a large village in the valley behind you. Convinced the Indians had spotted his regiment and would soon scatter, Custer decides to attack before they flee." -- National Monument Tour Sign
2. Custer's Advance (Illustrated)
"From the Crow's Nest, Custer's Crow and Arikara scouts see evidence of an Indian encampment. Convinced that he has been discovered, Custer divides his command to strike the camp before it can scatter. He orders Maj. Marcus Reno's battalion to attack the encampment. Custer, with approximately 225 men, veers to the northwest in pursuit of mounted warriors and appears on the ridge to your left for the first view of the camp." -- National Monument Brochure
"From the Crow's Nest, Custer's Crow and Arikara scouts see evidence of an Indian encampment. Convinced that he has been discovered, Custer divides his command to strike the camp before it can scatter. He orders Maj. Marcus Reno's battalion to attack the encampment. Custer, with approximately 225 men, veers to the northwest in pursuit of mounted warriors and appears on the ridge to your left for the first view of the camp." -- National Monument Brochure
3. Reno's Valley Fight (Illustrated)
"After fording the Little Bighorn, Reno's battalion charges the encampment. Convinced that he is vastly outnumbered, Reno dismounts and forms a skirmish line across the valley, firing into the lodges. Warriors rush forward to defend the camp and outflank Reno's command, forcing it into the timber." -- National Monument Brochure
"After fording the Little Bighorn, Reno's battalion charges the encampment. Convinced that he is vastly outnumbered, Reno dismounts and forms a skirmish line across the valley, firing into the lodges. Warriors rush forward to defend the camp and outflank Reno's command, forcing it into the timber." -- National Monument Brochure
3. Reno's Valley Fight - Warrior Counterattack (Illustrated)
"Reno's battalion of 175 soldiers, civilian personnel, and arakira and Crow Scouts halt in the valley and form a thin skirmish line. Warriors race out from the village to oppose him. After 10 minutes of fighting, Lakota and Cheyenne warriors outflank Reno, forcing him into the timber on his right." -- National Monument Tour Sign
3. Reno's Valley Fight - Warrior Counterattack
"Reno's battalion of 175 soldiers, civilian personnel, and arakira and Crow Scouts halt in the valley and form a thin skirmish line. Warriors race out from the village to oppose him. After 10 minutes of fighting, Lakota and Cheyenne warriors outflank Reno, forcing him into the timber on his right." -- National Monument Tour Sign
3. Reno's Valley Fight - Timber Fight (Illustrated)
"June 25, 1876 Approximately 3:15-3:55pm. Reno occupies a defensive position in the timber. Determined to defend their village, warriors soon penetrate the woods, convincing Reno that the position is untenable. After fighting for 30 minutes, Reno retreats across the Little Bighorn River." -- National Monument Tour Sign
3. Reno's Valley Fight - Timber Fight
"June 25, 1876 Approximately 3:15-3:55pm. Reno occupies a defensive position in the timber. Determined to defend their village, warriors soon penetrate the woods, convincing Reno that the position is untenable. After fighting for 30 minutes, Reno retreats across the Little Bighorn River." -- National Monument Tour Sign
4. Reno's Retreat - Retreat Crossing (Illustrated)
"June 25, 1876 Approximately 4:00pm. During Reno's retreat from the timber, Crazy Horse, Wooden Leg, Black Elk, and perhaps as many as 600 warriors chase the soldiers across the Little Bighorn River. Reno's casualties are 40 men killed and 13 wounded. The remnants of Reno's command occupy a new position on the bluffs where you are standing. Lakota and Cheyenne casualties are few." -- National Monument Tour Sign
4. Reno's Retreat - Retreat Crossing
"June 25, 1876 Approximately 4:00pm. During Reno's retreat from the timber, Crazy Horse, Wooden Leg, Black Elk, and perhaps as many as 600 warriors chase the soldiers across the Little Bighorn River. Reno's casualties are 40 men killed and 13 wounded. The remnants of Reno's command occupy a new position on the bluffs where you are standing. Lakota and Cheyenne casualties are few." -- National Monument Tour Sign
4. Reno's Retreat (Illustrated)
"Forced to withdraw, Reno's retreat becomes a rout as pursuing warriors ride among the troopers, killing about 40 soldiers as they attempt to reach the safety of the bluffs beyond the Little Bighorn River. Warrior casualties are few. Detecting another threat to their encampment (Custer) many of the warriors break off pursuit to face this new threat." -- National Monument Brochure
"Forced to withdraw, Reno's retreat becomes a rout as pursuing warriors ride among the troopers, killing about 40 soldiers as they attempt to reach the safety of the bluffs beyond the Little Bighorn River. Warrior casualties are few. Detecting another threat to their encampment (Custer) many of the warriors break off pursuit to face this new threat." -- National Monument Brochure
5. Reno-Benteen Hilltop Defense
"After an unsuccessful attack on the Indian camp in the valley, Major Reno and his battalion retreated to this vicinity where they were soon reinforced by Captain Benteen's battalion and the pack train. In an attempt to find and rejoin Custer they moved northwest, but returned when confronted by warriors. Here the surrounded troops made a desperate stand until the next afternoon when the warriors withdrew as the Terry-Gibbon column approached." -- National Monument Tour Sign
5. Reno-Benteen Hilltop Defense (Illustrated)
"After an unsuccessful attack on the Indian camp in the valley, Major Reno and his battalion retreated to this vicinity where they were soon reinforced by Captain Benteen's battalion and the pack train. In an attempt to find and rejoin Custer they moved northwest, but returned when confronted by warriors. Here the surrounded troops made a desperate stand until the next afternoon when the warriors withdrew as the Terry-Gibbon column approached." -- National Monument Tour Sign
5. Reno-Benteen Hilltop Defense
"After an unsuccessful attack on the Indian camp in the valley, Major Reno and his battalion retreated to this vicinity where they were soon reinforced by Captain Benteen's battalion and the pack train. In an attempt to find and rejoin Custer they moved northwest, but returned when confronted by warriors. Here the surrounded troops made a desperate stand until the next afternoon when the warriors withdrew as the Terry-Gibbon column approached." -- National Monument Tour Sign
5. Reno-Benteen Hilltop Defense (Illustrated)
"After an unsuccessful attack on the Indian camp in the valley, Major Reno and his battalion retreated to this vicinity where they were soon reinforced by Captain Benteen's battalion and the pack train. In an attempt to find and rejoin Custer they moved northwest, but returned when confronted by warriors. Here the surrounded troops made a desperate stand until the next afternoon when the warriors withdrew as the Terry-Gibbon column approached." -- National Monument Tour Sign
5. Reno-Benteen Hilltop Defense
"After an unsuccessful attack on the Indian camp in the valley, Major Reno and his battalion retreated to this vicinity where they were soon reinforced by Captain Benteen's battalion and the pack train. In an attempt to find and rejoin Custer they moved northwest, but returned when confronted by warriors. Here the surrounded troops made a desperate stand until the next afternoon when the warriors withdrew as the Terry-Gibbon column approached." -- National Monument Tour Sign
5. Reno-Benteen Hilltop Defense
"This area was occupied by Troops A, B, D, G, H, K, and M, 7th U.S. Cavalry, and the pack train when they were besieged by the Sioux Indians June 25th and 26th, 1876." -- Site Monument Inscription