First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, Archaeological site in Cascade County, United States
The cliff runs for about 1 mile along the Montana prairie with a limestone wall roughly 40 feet high that was used for traditional buffalo hunting. The site preserves the geographic features that allowed hunters to drive large herds over the edge.
Plains Indian tribes used this hunting site from around 500 CE until about 1700 CE as a major hunting location. Over this long period it became the most heavily used buffalo jump in North America and shows how this hunting method endured for many centuries.
The name comes from the Blackfeet word Pishkun, meaning deep kettle of blood, reflecting how Plains Indian tribes understood this hunting place. Visitors can sense how the name itself tells the story of what happened here across many generations.
The visitor center displays archaeological findings and explains how the communal hunting worked through educational exhibits. The site sits on open prairie, so come prepared for wind and wear sturdy shoes for walking the terrain.
Young tribal members called buffalo runners wore animal hides to guide large herds toward the cliff during coordinated hunts. This specialized role demanded skill and courage when working with panicked animals.
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