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Visit Camas Meadows

Camas Meadows is the location of the August 20, 1877 battle during the Nez Perce Flight. Seeking to slow General Oliver O. Howard's advance following the Big Hole fight, nimíipuu warriors raided Howard's camp at night to steal horses and disrupt his pursuit. A roadside pullout with interpretive panels preserves this story.

A metal silhouette of a Nez Perce warrior on horseback with the sunset in the background.
A warrior silhouette at the Camas Meadows pullout captures the spirit of this crucial battle during the Flight of 1877. U.S. Forest Service/Roger Peterson

Getting There

Camas Meadows is located 32 miles east of Dubois, Idaho. From I-15 at Dubois, drive east on A-2 Clark County Road/Kilgore Road for 25 miles. Turn right onto A-2 Clark County Road/Idmon Road and continue 7 miles to the pullout.

From U.S. Highway 20 near West Yellowstone, drive west 26 miles to A-2 Clark County Road/Kilgore-Yale Road. Turn right and continue 21 miles to A-2 Clark County Road/Idmon Road. Go slightly left and continue 3 miles to the Camas Meadows pullout. The Idaho Falls Regional Airport is 82 miles south and the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is 140 miles north.

What You'll See

Camas Meadows consists of two battle sites on private property: General Oliver O. Howard's Camp Calloway and Captain Randolph B. Norwood's Encounter Site. A roadside kiosk with interpretive panels and metal silhouettes of nimíipuu warriors allows visitors to understand the site's significance. Please respect the landowner's property rights and do not venture beyond the roadside kiosks.

Understanding This Battle

The raid at Camas Meadows demonstrated the tactical skill and determination of the band's warriors. Though the Army continued its pursuit, the successful horse raid was a significant morale boost and tactical victory for the nimíipuu. The August 20th engagement remains an important chapter in the story of the 1877 Flight.

Visitor information adapted from National Park Service interpretive materials (public domain).