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Little Big Horn Battlefield

Posted on 1/28/20 at 11:28 pm
Posted by Adajax
Member since Nov 2015
6125 posts
Posted on 1/28/20 at 11:28 pm
I'll be driving through Montana in April. Is Little Big Horn worth the stop? Can I enjoy it and see what I need to see in 2 hrs or less?
Posted by canyon critter
Montana
Member since Feb 2019
1116 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 8:47 am to
It’s nothing spectacular, just a memorial. What do you want see? Some monuments are scattered along the “scenic road” throughout the park. As for scenery, you’re in eastern Montana so it’s all plains. If you have time to spare, sure, check it out. But I wouldn’t go out of the way for it.
This post was edited on 1/29/20 at 8:49 am
Posted by dingle
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2004
467 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 8:56 am to
Went last summer. It was really crowded then so maybe April will be less crowded. If not too far out of the way I would go. If you're not in that area a lot, might as well do it. I thought it was worth it but we always do battlefields on trips.
Posted by PJinAtl
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2007
12747 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 9:40 am to
I was there in May of 2007 and it was not very crowded at all.

The visitors center isn't much to see, but it does give a bit of an explanation of the Indian Wars up to that time, and if I remember maybe a few small dioramas of the various battles (box wagon, fort fetterman, etc.)

As has already been posted, there isn't much to see - just the monument on Last Stand Hill and the individual markers showing where soldiers and Indians fell. Still, it gives you an idea of what Custer and his men felt being up there and knowing there wasn't a chance of escaping.

You can also drive the park road out to the Reno-Benteen battlefield. That gives you a feeling of how large the Indian encampment was and what the soldiers were facing.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
260547 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 10:08 am to
If you're into history, definitely. Looking over the site, the markers on the hill gives you a really good perspective. I really enjoyed it. It's one of our countries iconic battle sites
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
260547 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 10:10 am to
quote:

As for scenery, you’re in eastern Montana so it’s all plains.


There's a lot of history and emotion in this particular site. It appears you're looking for the wrong things.
Posted by PJinAtl
Atlanta
Member since Nov 2007
12747 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 10:22 am to
But yes, you can enjoy it and see it in 2 hours.

Also in April in that part of the country know that you may have snow.
Posted by nctiger71
North Carolina
Member since Oct 2017
1321 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 10:58 am to
We were there last August; driving from Rapid City, SD to Billings on Hwy 212. We should have stopped then as it was 5:00 pm when we were driving by, and they stayed open til 8:00 - didn’t know that at the time. But we went back a few days later mid day.

It was worth the visit to me. We stayed about two hours and listened to a few ranger talks.


Posted by OldHickory
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2012
10602 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 1:20 pm to
I enjoyed it. If you’re a fan of history and have the time, check it out.
Posted by Adajax
Member since Nov 2015
6125 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 1:32 pm to
Thanks for all the feedback.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22631 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 2:07 pm to
Worth seeing. Gave me an eerie feeling. We were there early in the morning with no one else around.

The plains are beautiful.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
260547 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 3:31 pm to
quote:

Gave me an eerie feeling. We were there early in the morning with no one else around. 



Standing on last stand hill looking over the plains is very eerie. It's a feeling i've not forgotten.

It's very surreal standing there amid the markers imagining how it played out.
Posted by Adajax
Member since Nov 2015
6125 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 4:23 pm to
I'm driving cross country from WA to VA. I think I'll take the time to stop and visit since I'll probably never pass that way again.
Posted by BobABooey
Parts Unknown
Member since Oct 2004
14281 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 8:17 pm to
100% go. Don’t second guess yourself - just go if you are driving through.

I’m not sure where your drive will take you but see if you’ll be close to Devil’s Tower, too.
Posted by Kafka
I am the moral conscience of TD
Member since Jul 2007
141958 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 8:19 pm to
quote:

it gives you an idea of what Custer and his men felt being up there and knowing there wasn't a chance of escaping.
Could Custer Have Won?
quote:

With two companies, Custer still maintains the offensive even as his men are being rolled up along Calhoun’s line and in a ravine just north of Calhoun Hill. Advancing to the northwest he comes down out of the bluffs and attempts to seize the next northernmost crossing of the Little Bighorn so he might yet capture the Sioux and Cheyenne families hiding in the ravine in and around Squaw Creek.

It is impossible to know the details of this foray. How many troops did he send to the ford? Did Custer himself lead them? How many warriors did he face? Scholars of the battle have previously paid little attention to this action. Yet it may be the fight’s most critical moment. If Custer pushes across the Little Bighorn River and captures the noncombatants, he might still achieve a victory—a costly one, to be sure, but one that could have burnished his fame as an Indian fighter and made him a hero.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22631 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 8:34 pm to
quote:

Standing on last stand hill looking over the plains is very eerie. It's a feeling i've not forgotten

My dad loved history and would visit every battlefield he was close to. This one gave me a feeling I’ve never felt anywhere else. Maybe the setting or something else not really sure.
Posted by RogerTheShrubber
Juneau, AK
Member since Jan 2009
260547 posts
Posted on 1/29/20 at 10:52 pm to
quote:

This one gave me a feeling I’ve never felt anywhere else. Maybe the setting or something else not really sure.


Same with me. I've been to a few battlefield sites but this one was the most moving.

This post was edited on 1/30/20 at 9:20 am
Posted by canyon critter
Montana
Member since Feb 2019
1116 posts
Posted on 2/20/20 at 8:46 am to
quote:

There's a lot of history and emotion in this particular site. It appears you're looking for the wrong things.



You’re right, my apologies. My comment was pretty short sighted. There is a great amount of history there, so it’s a worthy stop if in the area.

Kinda reminds me of Nez Perce.
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