Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument preserves the site of the June 25 and 26, 1876, Battle of the Little Bighorn, near Crow Agency, Montana, in the United States. It also serves as a memorial to those who fought in the battle: George Armstrong Custer's 7th Cavalry and a combined Lakota-Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho force. Custer National Cemetery, on the battlefield, is part of the national monument.

The site of the connected military action led by Marcus Reno and Frederick Benteen is also part of the National Monument, but is about 3 miles (4.83 km) southeast of the main site. As part of a series of censorship actions at several National Park Service sites, in February 2026 the Trump Administration removed signage that described the background of the Battle of Little Bighorn and Native American boarding schools. Changes were opposed by the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument occupies a particular place in the imagination of American public lands. As a National Monument in Montana, it represents a deliberate choice — by the people who advocated for its protection, and by the National Park Service rangers who maintain it — to keep this landscape available to anyone willing to make the trip. That accessibility is the quiet miracle of the park system.

The pages linked below break the visit down into the four practical questions every traveler asks: where can I hike, where can I sleep, what else is worth seeing while I'm in the area, and what should I know before I show up. Each one is written from the perspective of someone planning their first trip — assume nothing, explain what's worth explaining, and skip the marketing language. If you've been here before, treat these guides as a refresher and a way to discover the corners you missed last time.

What this guide covers

Over the next four pages, this field guide breaks Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument into the practical questions every traveler asks: which trails are worth the effort, where to sleep both inside and outside the park boundary, what else is worth a stop in the surrounding region, and the small-but-essential tips that make the difference between a stressful first day and a smooth one. Use the navigation above to jump between sections, or read them in order — they're written to flow.

• Hikes — short loops, half-day trails, and backcountry routes
• Camping — drive-in campgrounds, RV sites, and backcountry permits
• Nearby attractions — gateway towns and adjacent public lands
• Visitor tips — timing, fees, weather, and what to skip

Logistics at a glance

Use this quick reference when you're putting together your itinerary. The figures below are the most-asked questions every visitor needs answered before arrival, summarized in one place.

Designation	National Monument
State	Montana
Entrance fee	Typically free or under $10 per person. Confirm at park entrance.
Visitor center hours	Most open daily 8–9am to 4:30–6pm. Reduced winter hours common.
Best months	Plan around the weather notes above.
Camping inside park	See the camping guide for campground details, fees, and reservation windows.
Nearby gateway towns	See nearby attractions for lodging and supply stops.