DUG BAR AND THE NEZ PERCE FLIGHT OF 1877

Snake River Adventures, LLC

One of the most historically significant locations along the Snake River is Dug Bar.

Dug Bar was a traditional Snake River crossing for the nimíipuu. On May 31, 1877, Chief Joseph’s band crossed the Snake River there while complying with the U.S. government’s demand that they leave their homeland in northeastern Oregon’s Wallowa Valley and relocate to the Nez Perce Reservation near Lapwai, Idaho.

The timing made the crossing particularly dangerous because the Snake River was swollen by spring runoff.

People and possessions crossed using horsehide rafts pulled by swimming horses, while large numbers of horses and cattle were driven into the river. Livestock were lost during the difficult crossing.

Events soon escalated into the Nez Perce War and the Flight of 1877. The non-treaty Nez Perce ultimately traveled more than 1,170 miles over 126 days, crossing portions of what are now Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.

Today, Dug Bar remains an important historical location and part of the greater story preserved by Nez Perce National Historical Park.