Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Washita Battlefield National Historic Site adventure.
Discover western Oklahoma and the Washita Battlefield. It was here that Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer led a surprise dawn attack against the Southern Cheyenne village of Peace Chief Black Kettle on Nov. 27, 1868. The battle marked a sad point in American history when the U.S. government sought to protect interests of homesteaders moving west.
The site of the battlefield includes rolling plains and wide-open spaces. Make sure to stop at the scenic overlook for the picturesque Washita River Valley. Miles of rolling hills paint a beautiful picture that
The visitor's center contains exhibits and artifacts that explain what happened here. A 27-minute film tells you the events that led up to the battle and why it occurred. The visitor's center puts the landscape in context before you explore the site.
A trail runs for 1-1/2 miles through this historic site. During the summer months, you may request a ranger-led tour. Watch for special events throughout the year, such as living history demos hosted by members of the Cheyenne tribe. Watching a tribal historian gives you a taste of the vibrant culture of the Cheyenne who once thrived here.
Another important aspect of the site is the Washita Native Garden. It's a wheel-shaped garden that features plants traditionally used by the Cheyenne people.
Campsites near the Washita River offer scenic views and a chance to get away from it all. The Washita Battlefield represents an important cultural stop on your adventure tour of this wide-open landscape.