Chief Joseph Gravesite

Located near Joseph, Oregon, the Old Chief Joseph Gravesite is a sacred and historically significant site within the Nez Perce National Historical Park. This small cemetery serves as the final resting place of Tuekakas, known as Old Chief Joseph, a prominent leader of the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce. Originally buried between the Wallowa and Lostine rivers, his remains were reinterred at this location in 1926. The site holds deep cultural importance for the Nez Perce people.

The gravesite is just off the Wallowa Lake Highway south of Joseph, with parking nearby. The grounds feature a circular earthen platform with a stone retaining wall and a central memorial marker adorned with a bronze relief of Chief Joseph’s head. A flagpole stands nearby, and the site offers commanding views of Wallowa Lake and the surrounding mountains.

The site is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. Visitors are encouraged to approach the location with respect and quiet contemplation, acknowledging its status as a sacred burial ground. Summer afternoons can be hot with limited shade, so bringing sunscreen and a hat is advisable. The gravesite provides a poignant opportunity to learn about Chief Joseph’s legacy, his refusal to accept the 1863 treaty that sought to remove his people from their homeland, and the enduring history of the Nez Perce tribe.