Overview
You may not recall the 1876 battle at the Little Bighorn River in southern Montana, but most Americans (even children) recognize its label “Custer’s Last Stand.” For such a relatively minor skirmish in the bloody 1800s, it has an outsized legend that only grows with time. At this site more than 140 years ago, a large portion of the 7th U.S. Cavalry met their demise for tactical reasons still debated to this day. The blame is generally placed upon Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer who was believed to be jockeying for a presidential nomination in the 1876 election. Today this National Park Service (NPS) site is located on the Crow Indian Reservation in southern Montana, just off Interstate 90.
Highlights
Museum, Custer National Cemetery, driving tour, Last Stand Hill, Indian Memorial
Must-Do Activity
On June 25, 1876, with only 600 soldiers, Custer attempted to defeat a temporary village composed of multiple tribes numbering over 7,000 individuals. Never before had so large an American Indian encampment been collected anywhere on the Great Plains. Renowned war chiefs Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Two Moons, and many others have their words memorialized at the Indian Memorial, not built at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument until 1997 near the mass grave on Last Stand Hill. Be sure to come in late June for the opportunity to witness a historical reenactment of the famous battle, which is held on the Crow Indian Reservation adjacent to the 765-acre National Monument.
Best Trail
None
Instagram-worthy Photo
The Battle of the Little Bighorn Reenactment is a two-hour, fully narrated presentation explaining the significance of the Battle of the Greasy Grass (as the American Indians call it). The site of the reenactment is a ford where Lieutenant Colonel Custer’s battalion came closest to the encampment where 1,800 warriors of the Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe Nations were gathered to protect their families. American Indian riders go bareback, leaping on and off their ponies with ease, while saddled 7th U.S. Cavalry re-enactors splash through the fast-flowing Little Bighorn River astride powerful horses.
Peak Season
Summer (the best time of year to visit is around the June 25 anniversary when a reenactment of the battle is held)
Hours
https://www.nps.gov/libi/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Fees
$25 per vehicle or America the Beautiful pass
Road Conditions
All roads paved
Camping
There is a small, private campground at the exit from Interstate 90, but the nearest NPS campground is 40 miles away at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
Related Sites
Washita Battlefield National Historic Site (Oklahoma)
Big Hole National Battlefield (Montana)
Devils Tower National Monument (Wyoming)
Last Stand Hill 
Indian Memorial 
Indian Memorial 
Lieutenant Colonel Custer in buckskins at the June reenactment 
Horses crossing the Little Bighorn River at the June reenactment
Explore More – When was Custer National Cemetery originally established and when did it become part of a National Monument?
Raven About The Parks | Raven About The Forests 
This was one of the best monuments we’ve visited. We listened to a ranger talk and then played the recordings as we drove from site to site. We enjoyed learning about the battle plans and how everything went wrong. Such a useless loss of life.
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When we visited, hardly anyone was there. I felt emotional, like I did at the Vietnam memorial. Such a tragic part of our history. I would have liked to see the reenactment. Nice pictures of the action!
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Thanks for leaving a comment! Maybe you will make it to the reenactment someday.
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