When planning a road trip through southeast Montana—whether you’re headed to Yellowstone National Park or exploring nearby Billings—a stop at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is a powerful way to connect with the past.

We took a Little Bighorn Battlefield guided tour, an unforgettable experience that vividly brought the history of this site to life.

Thank you to Visit Southeast Montana for hosting this tour. All opinions are my own. You can read our full disclosure policy

Where History Comes Alive: What is the Little Bighorn Battlefield?

Driving through this beautiful and serene National Monument today, it’s hard to imagine the battle that took place here. 

The Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand, occurred in June 1876. U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry, led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, and a coalition of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. 

This battle was a significant moment in the Great Sioux War and a rare and resounding victory for Native American tribes resisting U.S. expansion into their lands.

Visiting the battlefield is more than just seeing a historical site—it also honors the people whose lives were forever changed there.

Why Take a Guided Tour?

Visitors can explore the National Monument on their own. However, a guided tour is similar to the driving tour below, but with a guide telling stories along the way. 

Either way, start your tour with a short talk from the National Park Service outside the main building. 

It’s very informative, but nothing compares to having a tour guide hop in your vehicle and tell an animated story of her people and the historical Battle that took place.

Rosie, our guide and owner of Indian Battle Tours, brought deep knowledge and personal passion to the tour, connecting facts with stories and highlighting details we would never have noticed ourselves.

We stood on Last Stand Hill, looked out across the rolling prairie, and listened to Rosie as she pointed out and told an animated story where warriors and soldiers clashed. 

We listened to her powerful stories of bravery, strategy, and heartbreak from both sides of the battle. She pointed out monuments and markers throughout the site commemorating the individuals who fought and died here—both Native and U.S. Cavalry.

A self-guided tour would never have had the same lasting effect. However, even if you don’t opt for a guided tour, you should not miss this National monument, so take the self-guided tour!

Driving Tour & Walking Paths: Immerse Yourself in the Battlefield Landscape

One of the best ways to fully experience Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is by taking the self-guided driving tour, which stretches approximately 4.5 miles from the visitor center to the Reno-Benteen Battlefield overlook. 

💡 Tip: Don’t miss the 4.5-mile drive through the Battlefield. The big monuments near the Visitor Center were busy, but we hardly passed any cars on our drive through the Battlefield. Don’t miss out on this drive!

This drive-through the Battlefield offers a broader perspective on the movements of the U.S. Army and Native American forces during the two-day battle in June 1876.

Several pull-offs along the drive have interpretive signs detailing key events, military strategies, and personal stories from the battle. 

You’ll pass sweeping views of the prairie and Little Bighorn River, which help paint a vivid picture of how the terrain impacted the battle’s outcome. 

During our guided tour with Rosie, she told such an animated story that it was like watching a movie! 

This drive also includes monuments and white marble markers scattered as far as the eye can see, showing where soldiers fell—a sobering and profoundly moving sight.

If you’re up for walking, the Battlefield has several paved and unpaved walking paths around Last Stand Hill, the 7th Cavalry Memorial, and the Indian Memorial. 

💡 Tip: Drive through, park at the pull-off, and walk a bit- you can stretch your legs and get your steps in. This will help break up your drive on the way to Yellowstone!

These interpretive walking trails are relatively easy and provide a slower, more reflective way to explore the site. 

Look for the informational plaques, quotes, and battlefield markers that bring the military and Native perspectives to life.

We found that walking around a bit adds a deeper layer of understanding—you can stand in the very place where history unfolded and take in the vast silence that now covers these sacred grounds.

Photo Highlights from our driving tour of Little Bigorn Battlefield

During the 4.5 mile drive or walk, look for white markers indicating where a fallen soldier was found.

The Custer National Cemetery, with graves dating back to the Indian Wars and beyond

A monument marking the area where the Sioux Indians won the battle against Custer’s Army.

Sweeping grasslands that give the land a sense of timelessness

Stunning scenery where the Battlefield unfolded

Things to Know Before You Go

Location: Just off I-90, about an hour southeast of Billings, MT

Distance to Yellowstone: Roughly 3.5 hours to the North Entrance of Yellowstone, making it a perfect half-day detour

Visitor Center: This center offers interpretive exhibits, a bookstore, and short history talks by the National Park Service. If you have a National Park Passport book, remember to get it stamped. 

The Best Time to visit is late spring through early fall, when the weather is milder and ranger programs are active. Also, as always, we prefer a weekday tour with fewer people.

Don’t miss driving the tour road, which extends several miles and includes interpretive stops. Our tour included this drive, but we made it a second time to take it all in. We saw many people visiting the monuments close to the visitors’ center but then returning to their cars and leaving. Don’t do that!

Cost: Use your America The Beautiful Pass for free entry. Prices range from free to $80 per year. This pass gives you access to all National Parks and National Monuments.

Without the pass, there are fees to see this National Monument. This page lays out all the costs associated with visiting. 

A Must-See Stop in Southeast Montana

Whatever you do, don’t miss this Montana historical site. If you choose to do a guided or self-guided tour, this should be on your list of things to do in southeast Montana. 

This tour is perfect for the history buff, road tripper, or someone who wants to understand America’s history better and from a different perspective.

Please read our complete guide for things to do in southeast Montana on the way to Yellowstone. 

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