Nez Perce Trail in Montana

Follow the Nez Perce Trail and experience history. Starting in Oregon and ending in Montana just short of the Canadian border, this trail was used by the Nez Perce Indians to flee from the Army. You'll see where Chief Joseph led his people and view the scenes of their great battles.

It all started in 1877, when the Nez Perce Indian Chiefs including Chief Joseph had to run for their freedom. Being pursued by army troops, they fled at first to find safety with allies in the east, but ended trying for sanctuary in Canada. Their exact path is now marked by The Nez Perce National Historic Trail, with historic sites along the way.

Leaving Wallowa Lake in Oregon, (the original home of Chief Joseph and his own band of Nez Perce) the trail goes northeast through the state and enters Idaho at Lewiston. Cutting across Idaho, it continues in Montana by Lolo Pass and through the Bitterroot Valley. Traversing the Continental Divide, it then crosses Yellowstone National Park and goes north to Bear's Paw Mountains in Montana, only 40 miles shy of the Canadian border.

It was near Chinook, Montana, at Bear's Paw Battlefield where the Nez Perce were finally trapped after a long siege. The flight ended. This historic site is left for all to see.

Vacationers can now retrace the route close to the exact path of the Indians. There is an autoroute that can be traveled in all weather, marked by Nez Perce road signs the entire way.