Nez Perce National Historic Trail, National Historic Trail across Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, United States.
The Nez Perce National Historic Trail is a 1,170-mile (1,883 km) route from Wallowa Lake in eastern Oregon to the Bear Paw Battlefield near Chinook, Montana. It crosses the Snake River, the Clearwater Mountains, the Bitterroot Range, and Yellowstone National Park. Little of it is a foot trail; much of the route can be followed by roads.
The trail marks a journey from 1877 when the Nez Perce people traveled across four states. This movement was a turning point in the community's history and is documented at various memorial sites along the route.
The trail tells the story of the Nez Perce people and their deep connection to the lands that remain visible today. At many locations along the route, visitors can see where significant moments happened in the community's history.
The best way to explore the route is by car, since the sites are spread across large distances and information materials are available at various stops. Plan time to visit each location, as each has its own hours and accessibility conditions.
The trail passes through Yellowstone National Park, which had been created five years before the 1877 journey; the Nez Perce crossed it from west to east and left by Sylvan Pass. The Chief Joseph Trail Ride follows the historic route every year.
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