Camas Meadows Battle Sites

The Camas Meadows Battle Sites, also known as Camas Meadows Camp and Battle Sites, are two sites important to the Battle of Camas Creek, fought August 20, 1877 between member of the Nez Perce tribe and troops of the United States Army. The Nez Perce captured about 150 horses and mules from a campsite of the pursuing army, and for several hours besieged a detachment sent to recover them at a second site. The two sites, each about 40 acres (16 ha) in size, are about 5 miles (8.0 km) apart in Clark County, Idaho. They were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989, and are now part of Nez Perce National Historical Park, a collection of sites important in Nez Perce history.

Both sites are located northeast of the town of Dubois, Idaho, off Clark County Road A-2 on the east side of Camas Creek. The Army campsite was located at approximately 44°21′11″N 111°53′06″W / 44.35306°N 111.88500°W / 44.35306; -111.88500. Its full extent has not been identified, and is likely to extend beyond the 40 acres in the landmark designation. This area was known as Camas Meadows because the meandering streams provided water for a profusion of camas flowers in the otherwise arid environment. Most of the camp was located in between Camas Creek and Spring Creek, although the tent of General Oliver O. Howard was located on a rise to the east of Spring Creek.

The siege site is located further to the northeast, at about 44°24′45″N 111°47′41″W / 44.41250°N 111.79472°W / 44.41250; -111.79472. Its principal features are two low knolls at which the detachment of Captain Randolph Norwood took refuge from the numerically superior Nez Perce. In this area the soldiers dug out several rifle pits, which survive.