Nez Perce National Historical Park - Spalding, ID - Park

In 1805, Lewis and Clark first met the Nez Perce Indians. According to them, there were many of these Indians and they lived in numerous villages. Although later history reveals that they wanted to kill Lewis and Clark and his men, they spared them and treated them well because an Indian woman of their tribe had met other white people while she was a prisoner of another tribe and was treated well.

According to their own history, the Nez Perce Indians had been here for as long as there was time - for thousands of years. At the time of Lewis and Clark, there were many villages and these were spread across a four state area - Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Montana.

The Nez Perce National Historical Park, Spalding, ID, is a center of the many historically preserved sites of the Nez Perce Indians. There are 38 sites in all, but they are spread over a wide area - which would make it impossible to see them all at one time. In fact, visitors would need to travel more than 1,500 miles to do so. Visitors may, however, be able to see up to 26 other sites that are not far from Spalding. The remaining 12 sites are in other states.

At the Park in Spalding, Idaho, there is a visitor's center which provides maps of the various sites. The site is the actual location of the first mission to reach the Nez Perce Indians. It was started by Henry and Eliza Spalding. Guests can also see the Nez Perce National Historical Park Museum which reveals a lot of history and artifacts of the Nez Perce people. Rangers present various demonstrations and talk about the traditions and history of this Indian tribe. Rangers give talks and demonstrations during the summer months at 11:00, 1:00, and at 3:00 each day. Movies are also shown at the Museum, and there are many pictures and art, too. It is open year around, except on the major holidays.

The Nez Perce Indians rode horses, seasonally caught and lived on salmon, and also hunted buffalo. Because of the changing food supply, they were largely migratory. They were powerful, and were finally forced onto reservations after a number of battles which started in the spring of 1877.

Today, visitors can follow the Nez Perce National Historical Trail and see many of the sites. Some of the battlegrounds can also be seen, such as the White Bird Battlefield, which was the first battle. Another major battle, which was a major blow to the Indians, was the surprise attack by the US troops at the Big Hole National Battlefield on August 9, 1877. From there, the remaining Nez Perce Indians, about 800, fled north toward Canada. They were stopped just 40 miles south of Canada by the Army, and Chief Joseph surrendered on October 5, 1877. Today, the remaining Nez Perce Indians live on nearby reservations where their traditions are kept alive.

When it comes to other activities that visitors can do in the area, there is almost no limit. There are many places within easy driving distances that provide sport opportunities for rafting and kayaking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, hang-gliding, ballooning, hunting and fishing, and much more. There are also many places to see, too, such as museums, guided tours, wildlife viewing - and much more.