Nez Perce National Historical Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nez Perce National Historical Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Bear Paw Battlefield in Montana
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 Nez Perce National Historical Park
Location in Idaho
Nez Perce National Historical Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, United States |
| Nearest city | Lewiston, Idaho |
| Area | 4,561 acres (18.46 km2) |
| Established | May 15, 1965 |
| Visitors | 239,908 (in 2016) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Nez Perce National Historical Park |
The Nez Perce National Historical Park is a special place in the United States. It's not just one big park. Instead, it's made up of 38 different sites. These sites are spread across four states: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
All these places are important to the history of the Nez Perce people. They tell the story of their culture and their fight for freedom. A big part of this story is about Chief Joseph and his group. In 1877, they tried to escape to Canada to avoid being forced onto a reservation. The U.S. Army chased them, and they fought many battles.
The park was officially created in 1965. A museum opened at the park's main office in Spalding, Idaho, in 1983.
History of the Nez Perce Park
This park helps us remember the rich history and culture of the Nez Perce people. It also tells the story of the Nez Perce War in 1877. During this war, the Nez Perce people bravely resisted the United States. They did not want to give up their lands.
The National Park Service manages the park. Many sites are also looked after by other groups. The main office for the park is in Spalding, Idaho. This town is east of Lewiston.
The U.S. Congress created the park in 1965. Building the main office and museum took some time. This was because of land purchases and money issues. In 1979, during construction, ancient Nez Perce remains were found. The park worked closely with the Nez Perce people. They made sure these important discoveries were treated with respect. The visitor center and museum finally opened in June 1983.
Exploring the Park Sites
The Nez Perce National Historical Park is unique. It's not like most national parks that are one big area. Instead, it has many sites spread out. There are 38 sites in total, across four different states.
These sites are connected by the history of the Nez Perce people. They are not just linked by where they are on a map. Twenty-six of the sites are in Idaho. Many are near the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. You can visit many of these Idaho sites in one day. The other twelve sites are in the nearby states.
Many of these sites are part of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. The United States Forest Service manages this trail. It follows the path Chief Joseph and his group took in 1877. They were trying to reach Canada for freedom.
Some of the important sites include:
- Battle of Bear Paw – in Blaine County, Montana
- Battle of the Clearwater – in Idaho County, Idaho
- Battle of White Bird Canyon – in Idaho County, Idaho
- Big Hole National Battlefield – in Beaverhead County, Montana
- Camas Meadows Battle Sites – in Clark County, Idaho
- Camas Prairie – in Idaho County and Lewis County, Idaho
- Camp Chopunnish – in Idaho County, Idaho
- Joseph Canyon – in Wallowa County, Oregon and Asotin County, Washington
- Old Chief Joseph Gravesite – in Wallowa County, Oregon
- Weippe Prairie – in Weippe, Idaho
Nature and Animals in the Park
The many sites of the Nez Perce National Historical Park cover different types of natural areas. These are called ecoregions.
One type is the shortgrass prairie. You can find this in places like the Palouse grasslands and Missouri Basin. These areas are mostly flat or gently rolling. They have rivers and streams. Their height above sea level is about 1,000 to 3,500 feet (300 to 1,000 meters).
Another type is the sagebrush steppe. This is found on the plateaus of the Columbia and Snake rivers. These areas are around 3,000 feet (900 meters) high. They include interesting lava fields.
The third type is in the mountains. This includes the Blue Mountains, Salmon River Mountains, and parts of the Rocky Mountains. Here, you'll find conifer forests and alpine meadows. These high places are colder and get more rain and snow.
Many different animals live in the park's various sites. You can find mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Some of these animals are very special. They are considered "threatened," "endangered," or "sensitive" by the states.
Animals like the Montana Arctic grayling, mountain plover, swift fox, great grey owl, and boreal owl live here. You might also sometimes see gray wolfes and bald eagles. The park managers work hard to protect these animals. They also try to stop invasive plants from taking over. They want to keep animal homes safe and deal with the effects of climate change.
