Explorer 2012

hours south of Missoula and 10 miles west of Wisdom. Located on the banks of the Big Hole River’s North Fork, the site commemorates lives lost during the largest battle of the five-month Nez Perce War. The Big Hole battle erupted on August 9, 1877, when the U.S. Army attacked five Nez Perce bands—composed of 750 men, women and children—who had refused to be moved onto an Indian reservation. Nearly 90 Nez Perce and 31 soldiers were killed during the day-and-a-half battle. Trenches dug by the Army remain visible today. In July and August, the battlefield hosts historians and tribal elders who provide their interpretations of the events surrounding the battle.

About 20 minutes south of the Battlefield, nestled between the Bitterroot and Pioneer mountain ranges, sits Jackson Hot Springs. It’s a rustic yet comfortable resort. Foremost among its amenities is a large natural geothermal pool that’s cooled to about 100 degrees. Jackson’s restaurant serves delicious steaks and seafood. There’s a full bar, too. Cabins with fireplaces start at $126 a night; sleeper cabins are $45. Or you can pitch a tent for $30.