Nez Perce National Historical Park


Since time immemorial, the valleys, prairies, mountains, and plateaus of the inland northwest have been home to the nimíipuu (Nez Perce) people. Extremely resilient, they survived the settling of the United States and adapted to a changed world. Nez Perce National Historical Park consists of 38 places important to the history and culture of the nimíipuu. Explore these places. Learn their stories.

Driving south bound on U.S. Highway 95 you will find the Visitor Center 10 miles from Lewiston, ID. Roughly one mile after crossing the Clearwater River you will find the park entrance on your left. When driving north on U.S. Highway 95 the Visitor Center will be 3 miles north of Lapwai, ID. The park entrance will be on your right.

  • Arts and Culture
  • Craft Demonstrations
  • Cultural Demonstrations
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

  • Archeology
  • Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
  • Colonization and Settlement
  • Explorers and Expeditions
  • Forts
  • Military
  • Cavalry
  • Indigenous and Native Warrior
  • Battlefields
  • Monuments and Memorials
  • Native American Heritage
  • Religion and Spirituality
  • Missions
  • Churches
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • Tribal Conflicts
  • Colonial/European Contact Conflicts
  • Indian and Frontier Wars
  • Westward Expansion
  • Homesteading
  • The Gold Rush
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Canyons and Canyonlands
  • Climate Change
  • Forests and Woodlands
  • Geology
  • Grasslands
  • Meadows
  • Mountains
  • River and Riparian
  • Scenic Views
  • Watersheds

Painted Tipi

Colorful painted tipi on green lawn

Every morning in the summer Rangers put a tipi on the front lawn of the visitor center. Visitors are always welcome to help.

Buffalo Eddy

Petroglyph carvings on the bank of the Snake River.

Buffalo Eddy contains many petroglyphs and is considered a ancient crossing place.

Take Flight

Birds in flight across a grassy field.

Birds take flight across a grassy field.

Buffalo Hide Tipi

Elder (Mylie Lawyer) sitting in front of Old Buffalo hide tipi.

The only known remaining complete buffalo hide tipi belonging to a Nez Perce.

Appaloosa Horse Parade

Horses and riders dressed in native regalia.

This horse parade was held in the Spalding picnic area during the parks 50th anniversary in 2015.

Weippe Camas

Blue Camas flowers in a prairie field.

Camas has been a food staple of the Nez Perce for thousands of years.