Madison Buffalo Jump State Park, Historic indigenous hunting site in Gallatin County, United States.
Madison Buffalo Jump is a limestone cliff formation rising above the Madison River valley and overlooking Montana's mountain ranges and grasslands. The site includes interpretive trails with educational displays, picnic areas, and restroom facilities accessible throughout the year.
Hunters used this site for more than 2000 years by driving bison herds over the cliff to meet their food needs. The hunting method ended as the way of life of local people changed and bison populations collapsed.
This site served as a gathering place where hunting communities passed down knowledge and celebrated shared successes across generations. The cliff acted as a natural tool that allowed groups to work together in coordinating large bison hunts and distributing the catch.
The park is accessible year-round and entry is free, leaving you free to spend time exploring the displays and trails. Visitors should bring weather-resistant clothing, as the site is exposed and winds can be strong.
Excavations at the cliff base have uncovered massive bone deposits from bison, revealing how productive the hunting method was. These discoveries offer insight into the scale of resources that earlier communities obtained from this location.
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