First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

Located just outside of Great Falls, MT, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is one of the most significant and well-preserved Native American Heritage sites in the country. This archaeological site is believed to be the largest bison cliff jump in North America. Plains tribes, including the Blackfeet, Salish, and Shoshone, used it for at least a thousand years before Lewis and Clark’s expedition through Montana. They skillfully drove herds of bison off the cliff as part of a complex communal hunting tradition.

The site features several interpretive hiking trails that wind through native prairie, leading visitors to the top of the jump, offering panoramic views and a powerful sense of place. The bison jump site is a mile-long sandstone cliff that rises to 50 feet, with remnants of drive lines and up to 18 feet of compacted bison remains below the cliff.

The park includes picnic tables, a black-tailed prairie dog town, and a 6,000-square-foot visitor center. At the visitor center, you’ll find immersive exhibits, traditional tools, and archaeological displays that shed light on Indigenous peoples’ lives, customs, and survival techniques in Central Montana. Educational programs and ranger-led tours make this an engaging stop for families, school groups, and heritage travelers.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump is ideally located near other must-see Great Falls attractions, including Giant Springs State Park and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, making it a perfect addition to your Montana road trip itinerary.