Washita Battlefield National Historic Site
Protected park · OK, USA
Washita Battlefield National Historic Site in OK, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Quick answers
- Is there a nursing room or baby care at Washita Battlefield National Historic Site?
- Mapped for this park: 1 changing table. Details
- When is the best time to visit Washita Battlefield National Historic Site?
- By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are March, April, and November. Details
- Where do you park?
- The park lists two parking areas with 57 spaces in all; the largest, Washita Battlefield Visitor Center Parking Lot, has 42. Details
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
On November 27, 1868, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th US Cavalry on a surprise dawn attack on a Cheyenne village led by Peace Chief Black Kettle. The event was an example of the tragic clash of cultures that occurred during the Great Plains Wars. It is also a place of remembrance and reflection for those who died here. Read More
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions, Visitor center.
Nursing and baby care
Mapped for this park: 1 changing table.
- Visitor Center
When is the best time to visit Washita Battlefield National Historic Site?
By typical weather, the best months for a day outdoors here are March, April, and November.
The weather works against it in January, June, July, August, and December.
The warmest month is July, with average highs near 96°F (36°C); the coolest is January, near 49°F (9°C).
May is the wettest month, with about 3.5 in (89 mm) of precipitation in a typical May.
Getting in to Washita Battlefield National Historic Site: fees and parking
The park lists two parking areas with 57 spaces in all; the largest, Washita Battlefield Visitor Center Parking Lot, has 42.
Six accessible spaces are marked across two parking areas.
Official facts
On the Forest Service's 2023 map, Washita Battlefield National Historic Site's mapped point sits in the moderate wildfire hazard class; it rates the ground, not the weather.
The closest live USGS river gauge to Washita Battlefield National Historic Site is Washita River Near Cheyenne, OK (07316500), 3.3 km away.
Public access: Restricted access.
Protected area: 320 acres (129 ha).
Designation: National Historic Site. Listed as "Washita Battlefield National Historic Site" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: protected from conversion, multiple uses allowed (GAP 3).
Established: 1996.
Managed by: NPS.
River or stream: Washita River. Mapped at or near this park in the USGS National Hydrography Dataset.
At the park
- Visitor center
- Wildlife & bird watching
Shows and experiences
- Historic sites & museum
What's on at Washita Battlefield National Historic Site
The park's own calendar lists three dated events from November 12 to November 15, 2026, two different events in all.
30th Anniversary Artist Showcase is held on two dates.
By kind, the calendar holds two regular events.
Most listed start times are in the morning, from 8 am to 1 pm.
Events
- 30th Anniversary Artist Showcase
- 30th Anniversary Commemoration
Before you go
- Mobility
- Available in the park: mobility & stroller rentals. Confirm rental availability and pricing with the park.
- Limits
- Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go
- ⚠ Caution: No Winter Maintenance on Battlefield Trail
- The battlefield trail is open year round, but receives no winter maintenance. There may be ice or snow on the trail. Please use caution.
- Getting there
- Washita Battlefield is located just west of Cheyenne in western Oklahoma approximately 130 miles west of Oklahoma City and 140 miles east of Amarillo, Texas; just 25 miles north of I-40 on State Highway 283. From Cheyenne head west on State Highway 47 for about 1 mile and then make a right on State Highway 47A. The visitor center will be on the right and the battlefield is about .5 miles past the visitor center on the right as well.
- Weather & when to go
- Weather in western Oklahoma can vary considerably. Winters can be mild to severe with ice storms being the biggest concern. Spring is usually short but pleasant although severe weather, including tornadoes, is still a possibility. Usually a strong breeze is associated with spring weather. Summers are brutally hot and visitors should be cautioned about spending any length of time in the heat. Falls are cool with a bitter wind.
- Visitor center
- Visitor Center — Open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. — Cheyenne is situated in western Oklahoma approximately 140 miles west of Oklahoma City and 128 miles east of Amarillo, Texas; just 22 miles north of I-40 on State Highway 283. The Visitor Center is 1 mile west of Cheyenne.
- Visitor center
- Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Visitor Center
Facilities on the park map
5 benches, 1 changing table, 1 defibrillator, 1 first aid kit, 1 mobility rental, 1 picnic area, 7 restrooms, 5 visitor information, 1 water fountain.
History
- Opened
- 1996
- Heritage status
- Listed heritage / protected status
- Park opened