My buddy and I are thinking about visiting the BLB site this spring/early summer. . . We both have always been interested in the battle, and have read several accounts of it.  My friend visited the state last year with his family, but did not make it the BLB site. . . .

So. . . I am looking for any tips or information you local guys may have---take a private guided tour, or is the National Park tour good enough?  Native American tours worth it?   I would prefer to walk rather than go in a car or jitney. . . .

I've lived my entire life in the NY Metro area, but have always wanted to visit Montana. . . looking forward to this trip. . .

I attended a Staff Ride of the battle a few years ago. It was pretty amazing. We were asked to read Nathaniel Philbrick’s ‘Last Stand’ before arriving. Very interesting book. About half of the day was spent outside the National Monument at various stops on the Crow Reservation. It was an excellent class and if I can get find the Staff Ride guide I’ll see if I can’t scan and send it to you.

The battlefield is very spread out. It’s not something you really want to walk. One thing to note is that the way you enter the Monument is back asswards. You want to drive to the far (south) end to Reno’s Hill to get to the “beginning” of the battle. Otherwise you’re trying to see it all in reverse. Although, Reno attacked below/outside of the NPS boundary and more closer to the Gary Owen gas station and then retreated to Reno Hill. From there the battle moves north ending at the Last Stand.  It’s a fascinating and important piece of history. Something that most people driving I-90 pass by without even noticing.

@FudgieGhost1

I found the booklet from the staff ride that I attend. If you’d like a copy shoot me a PM with your email. I can also get you the locations of each stand.

Sunny: DM sent with my email. . .thanks!

All this. We've been a couple of times since we moved here. The road starts where the battle ended. It's mostly just a drive in and out on the one road. There are areas where you can get out and walk around some. There are signs up at certain points with pictures and descriptions of what happened at each site. Each of these spots also has a number assigned. You can call a phone number, punch in the site you're at and a recording plays telling you about the site. Sort of a telephone guided tour. I read Last Stand by Philbrick after the first visit and enjoyed the second visit much more. Knowing more about what happened, where it happened and at what point in the battle made it much more enjoyable.

Edit to add: I don't know much about the guided tours, but now I'm interested.

the Crow, Cheyanne and Sioux all call it the battle of the Greasy grass.