Trip to the Battlefield

[Diane Merkel]

The following note is from an LBHA member. Let's help him make this a memorable trip!

I am a long-time member who has never been to the battlefield. Although I can't make it to this year's conference in Rapid City, SD, I would still like to travel west and visit the battlefield with my 16-year old son this summer. I'm not really sure what is the best approach to take. I live in the New York City area, so I will have to fly to some relatively nearby location where my son and I can rent a car and drive to the battlefield. I plan on being out west for 5 or 6 days. My son and I often do trips to the eastern Civil War battlefields and are used to traveling in an 'austere' manner, so other than a roof over our heads accommodations are not really an issue. Any suggestions that fellow members would have about how to plan a meaningful and productive trip to the Little Big Horn, from where to fly to, where to stay, other historical destinations in the area would be greatly appreciated. The only other member that I have ever spoken to has been Joan Croy, who was a real pleasure to talk to on the phone. I look forward to meeting other members some day, perhaps at next year's 'eastern' conference.

[Steve Wilk]

One option you might consider is to fly to Denver. You can then head north on I-25 thru Cheyenne. You can then take a swing to the east and take in Ft. Laramie (which I highly recommend) before continuing north toward Casper. Farther north you can visit the Bozeman Trail/Red Cloud's War sites: Ft. Phil Kearny, Fetterman battle site, Wagon Box fight etc. Then you will want to culminate your trip with a visit to Rosebud Battlefield (although this is a bit of side trip and there is really nothing there as far as interpretive trails or the like) and of course, Little Big Horn.

You will of course find lodging in Casper, Sheridan, and Buffalo as well as decent chain restaurants. There is not much in Hardin; personally I've always stayed in Billings and made the 60 mile ride to the battlefield. Billings is a decent sized city of 100,000 so I would think a NYer would prefer it. Better places to eat, better motels, etc. You could also fly into Billings. Still another option is Salt Lake City.

If you'd prefer to camp, you could rent an SUV and take your camping gear. Big Horn National Forest offers ample campsites in a beautifully scenic area.

I'd recommend making motel reservations beforehand. Nothing worse than getting to a town and not finding any lodging. A Motel6 or a Super8 can be found in most every sizeable town. As for rental cars I often book off breezenet.com. You can find cheap rates; even if you've booked a car, check it out again a day or two before you leave as the rate may have dropped...then you can rebook at the lower rate.

As for airfare, try the usual internet sites, (travelocity, hotwire, etc. or a travel agent) I work for an airline so I get to fly free ;D. Consequently I don't know much about airline deals for the general public.

I recommend you get a decent atlas and check out what you'd like to see and plan where you'd want to stay. Above all enjoy your trip. The west is awesome.

[El Crab]

If you just want to go to the battlefield, fly into Billings, rent a car and drive to Hardin. I'd recommend the American Inn in Hardin to stay. And Hardin's not far from the battlefield.

I went for the first time last year, with several guys that many of you probably know. And we had the privilege of several days on Custer's trail and the field with Dr. Fox. Great memories.

[melliott]

Another possiblity it to fly into Rapid City, spend a couple of days driving around the Badlands (including Wounded Knee), and the Black Hills, which are (as many LBHA members will attest) quite beautiful, and also full of historical interest. (Paul Horsted's book can guide you to some Custer sites.) It is then a drive of 6 hours to Hardin and the Little Bighorn across the Plains.

There are people on the message board who are much more familiar with the battlefield and can tell you more about what to do there -- and where to go that is not actually part of the National site. One thing you want to do is drive on the roads that approach the battlefield from the other side of the river -- using the access road that goes between the Crow Agency and Garryowen exits. You then travel through the area where the Indians were camped, and I think see the battle from a different perspective.

[Melani]

Where's the closest campsite to the battlefield that has showers?

[Tricia]

Melani--

I'm thinking there is a KOA in either Hardin or Garryowen, MT. As the McLean definition of camping is a room at the Marriott Courtyard, my memory of where I saw camping facilities might not be completely accurate ...

Regards,
Leyton McLean

[Jim]

Melani,

Talk about Camping at the "Ritz", right next to the LBH, check out this place(or palace):

www.historicwest.com/

It's even has wireless Internet, so you won't be too far from this forum!!!

Jim

[Melani]

Wow, I could sleep in a tepee in the same camp with General Custer! And with wireless internet, my husband might even come, too! And not only that, it's cheap (at least compared to California prices). Thanks, guys!

[Jim]

Melani,

The only problem with "sleeping in a tepee in the same camp with General Custer!", is that General Custer took the LONG DIRT NAP, and not the nap you plan on taking!!!!

Jim

[fred]

Yeah, & his didn't have showers, though he certainly got hosed.

[Diane Merkel]

Here's another LBHA commercial . . . .

Sandy and Chip Watts, the owners of the 7th Ranch, are LBHA members and wonderful hosts. The Ranch is on what used to be Henry Weibert's property; Henry was the author of Sixty-six Years in Custer's Shadow and had a fantastic collection of battle artifacts.

[Melani]

Okay, ya talked me into it (boy, that was hard!). Now to get my husband, who never wants to plan more than five minutes in advance, to agree. My workmate is about ready to sign on; she found a local Civil War Roundtable lecture on LBH in two weeks, and we will be playing hooky to attend. We may not do the tepee, though--I'm not sure how much my husband will put up with! (But wifi from a tepee--now there's a thought!)

[Diane Merkel]

Melani, please post the info on the Civil War Roundtable talk about LBH. We have members in the San Francisco area, and I would like to pass the info on to them.

Thanks!
Diane

[fred]

I'm jealous of all of you. I'd love to go!

[Jim]

Fred,

If you and your "Better Half" move to Houston, then you're only 1604.15 Miles away from the LBH Battlefield!?!?!? Just a hop and a skip away!!!

Jim