Rising from the Montana prairie along a mile-long sandstone cliff, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park preserves one of the largest pishkun (buffalo jump) sites in North America. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples drove bison herds over this cliff edge as a communal hunting strategy — a practice that shaped cultures, sustained communities, and left behind layers of archaeological evidence visible in the exposed cliff face today.

Spanning 1,481 acres in Cascade County, the park sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountain Front, offering sweeping views of the Missouri River valley and the distant Highwood Mountains. An interpretive trail winds along the cliff’s rim, with educational signs explaining the jump’s history, the ecology of the surrounding grasslands, and the deep cultural significance of this site to the Blackfeet, Salish, and other tribal nations.

The visitor center houses exhibits on buffalo jump archaeology, traditional hunting methods, and Plains Indian life. Tipi rings and drive lane markers are still visible across the landscape for those who know where to look.

Hiking and wildlife watching are the primary activities — pronghorn, raptors, and prairie wildflowers are common companions on the trail. There are no developed campgrounds within the park, but nearby Great Falls offers full amenities and is just 15 minutes away.

Late spring through early fall is the best window for visiting, when trails are dry and the interpretive center keeps regular hours. Come for the history — you’ll stay for the view.

Explore Nearby

• Helena–Lewis and Clark National Forest — National Forest in Montana
• Ear Mountain — Public Land in Montana
• Centennial Mountains — Public Land in Montana