The best camping near Washita Battlefield National Historic Site

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.