About the Organization
38-site park across four states documenting Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people's history and 1877 War. Interprets Lewis and Clark encounter, missionary work, and Chief Joseph's resistance.
Administered by the National Park Service, Nez Perce National Historical Park is described as "a park about a people, for all people." The National Park Service notes that since time immemorial the valleys, prairies, mountains, and plateaus of the inland Northwest have been home to the nimíipuu (Nez Perce) people, who proved extremely resilient as they survived the settling of the United States and adapted to a changed world. Rather than a single building, the park is a network of sites spread across the homeland, inviting visitors to explore these places and learn their stories.
Places to Explore and What to See
The park preserves and interprets a number of significant places and themes connected to Nez Perce history and culture, including:
- The Nez Perce Flight of 1877, a 126-day journey of more than 1,170 miles that spanned four different states
- Nez Perce Story Sites, special places that serve as backdrops to stories about spiritual entities in Nez Perce culture
- The Virtual Museum and the Wetxuuwíitin' Collection, whose exhibit commemorates the 25th anniversary of the return of historic Nez Perce artifacts
- A Junior Ranger program and an events calendar of current and planned programming
Planning Your Visit
The park's headquarters is located at 39063 US Highway 95 in Lapwai, Idaho, and the park can be reached by phone at 208-843-7009. Because the park comprises 38 sites across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, visitors are encouraged to review the park's maps and calendar before traveling. For hours, directions, and program details, visit the official National Park Service page at nps.gov/nepe.
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