Know Before You Go

For any trip on the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historical Trail, it is important to be prepared and stay safe. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Outdoor Ethics

It is up to us to respectfully use the trail while remembering that it is part of our heritage. To the Nee-Me-Poo, the trail is part of their sacred land, land they still use. If we want those who come after us to have a sense of the trail history, we must preserve and protect it. Prehistoric and historic artifacts are irreplaceable resources that provide clues into our collective heritage. Once damaged, they lose much of their meaning.

This land is an important source of spiritual strength for all races, including the Nez Perce. Its natural and historic sites should be left undisturbed by all who visit.

"We the surviving Nez Perces, want to leave our hearts, memories, hallowed presence as a never-ending revelation to the story of the event of 1877. This trail will live in our hearts. We want to thank all who visit this sacred trail, that will share our innermost feelings. Because their journey makes this an important time for the present, past, and future."    - Frank B. Andrews, Nez Perce descendant

DO:

• Feel free to photograph, draw, and handle artifacts on the ground surface, but replace them where they were found.
• Let Forest staff know if you’ve found something special.
• On rivers, camp on lower beaches, not on upper terraces where pithouses may be found.

DON'T:

• Gather artifacts into piles and take them home.
• Touch or leave marks on rock art (the oil in your fingers may damage the fragile art).
• Sit or walk on walls, cairns, or enter structures.
• Reveal site locations on websites or give out GPS coordinates.

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has developed 15 cultural protocols travelers should know before visiting Native homelands in the U.S including sites along the Trail. While every tribe and region of Native America is different, check out these general guidelines for visiting Native lands. 

Safety

Plan Ahead:

• Tell someone where you are going when you expect to return and what they need to do if you don’t return. For safety don’t hike alone.
• Cell phone reception is often sporadic or nonexistent in some areas along the Trail.
• If you get lost or become disoriented, stay calm and stay put! Wait for help to arrive.
• Keeping warm is more important than finding food and water.
• As a last resort, follow a drainage or stream downhill. This will often lead to a trail or road. 

Weather:

• Storms form quickly in the mountains. Lightning storms are common in the summer. Snow can occur year-round at higher elevations.
• Check the weather before heading out at National Weather Service.
• Bring clothing for all weather conditions-raincoats, fleece, or wool.
• Avoid afternoon summer storms by heading out early and getting off mountain peaks and high points before storms arrive.
• If you see a storm approaching, get off the high points or away from lone trees or large rocks.
• If you are caught in a lightning storm, remove your pack and crouch with your hands on your knees until the worst has passed.
• Use caution crossing or parking in dry streambeds and low areas: sudden storms may cause flash floods. 

Wildlife Viewing Ethics:

• Give the wildlife their space. Use those binoculars!
• Please leave “orphan” or sick animals alone. Often the parents are close by and are waiting for you to leave.
• Pets must always be under control.
• Do not feed wildlife-they can become habituated to handouts, losing their instinctive fears of people. Often the only solution is to euthanize the animal.
• Leave the area if an animal shows signs of alarm. Watch and listen for raised ears, skittish movements, or alarm calls.

River Wild! Water Safety:

• Swift Currents can flow only a short distance from the shore. Learn where these currents are before you wade or swim. Watch for steep drop offs.
• Cold Water can kill. Hypothermia can impair your judgment and your ability to swim safely.
• Wear Life Jackets when on the river, especially when tubing. Children should always wear them.
• Each Spring brings changing river conditions: new snags, holes, and bars… and a fresh supply of cold, deep water. Spring flows can be deadly; avoid them or proceed with extreme caution.

Leave No Trace

Responsible trail users follow a shared ethic of outdoor recreation called Leave No Trace, which encourages enjoyment of our outdoor spaces while leaving minimal impact. This not only helps to maintain healthy ecosystems for plants and animals to thrive but also ensures that our natural spaces remain beautiful for future human visitors.

Leave No Trace Principles:

• Plan ahead and prepare
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste properly
• Leave what you find
• Minimize campfire impacts
• Respect wildlife
• Be considerate of other visitors

For more information, visit Leave No Trace.

Geocaching

Geocaching is welcome along MOST of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail (NPNHT), but not everywhere. If you are not familiar with this activity, go to Geocaching.com for more information. Federal land management guidelines do require detailed information about proposed geocaches and permission to place a cache. Remember it is up to us to respectfully use the trail and protect our heritage. To the Nee-Me-Poo, the trail is part of their sacred land, land they still use. If we want those who come after us to have a sense of the trail history, it is up to us to preserve and protect it.

Follow geocaching rules of etiquette such as avoiding fragile or culturally sensitive locations and practice CITO: "Cache In, Trash Out". Respecting the environment, taking care of the resources you encounter, and cleaning up after others can help to preserve the future opportunities in the forest for geocaching with minimal regulation.

Federal land management geocaching policies vary and are specific to the local national forest, national park, or BLM State Office. 

Dispersed Camping

Camping in the undeveloped portions of the NPNHT is a free and popular way to enjoy the trail. Some areas are called “designated dispersed” areas where you must camp in designated sites. Several popular areas have a few amenities (such as fire rings, tables, and restrooms) to help protect natural resources. Other areas are simple pull-offs on primitive roads. Dispersed camping means in general there are no toilets, tables, or drinking water.

Elsewhere in the national forests, dispersed camping with motorized vehicles is allowed within a certain distance of most Forest roads or motorized trails. Please refer to the Motor Use Map (MVUM) for more details about dispersed camping in the national forest where you are. The number of days you can camp is also limited. Check the Alerts on the appropriate national forest websites for information on occupancy and use restrictions and other closures, food storage requirements, and more local regulations.

Follow these guidelines to ensure that these areas can be enjoyed by future generations. 

• Choose sites that are already established.
• Follow all camping and travel restrictions specific to your location.
• Don’t dig ditches around tents or trailers
• Pack out all garbage.
• Do not carve or chop into tree trunks-this can eventually kill the tree
• Bury human waste 200 feet from water sources in a hole 6-8” deep. Carry out used toilet paper.
• Soap degrades water quality and harms aquatic life; wash at least 200 feet from water sources and use biodegradable soap.