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Historic site · Fort Macleod, Alberta
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Cliff used for about 6,000 years by Plains peoples to hunt bison, with an interpretive centre excavated into the rock. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Head-Smashed-In sits on the edge of the Porcupine Hills, where the prairies meet the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. For about 6,000 years, Plains peoples, including the Blackfoot, used the cliff to hunt bison. Drive lines guided herds along paths marked with stone cairns toward the bluff edge, where the animals fell into the valley below and were processed.
At the base of the cliff, layers of bones, tools, and camp remains accumulated to depths of metres, and the site is one of the oldest and best preserved of its kind in North America. The name comes from a Blackfoot story about a young man who wanted to watch the hunt from below the cliff. In 1981 the site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The interpretive centre is built into the cliff on five levels and tells the story of the bison, the hunt, and Blackfoot life, with guides from the community. Trails lead to the cliff edge and down to its base through the camp area.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours.
Best time
From May to October for the trails. The centre is open all year, with reduced hours in winter; check before you go.
How to get there
Along Highway 785, about 18 km northwest of Fort Macleod.
Tip
Start at the top floor of the centre, which exits onto the trail along the cliff edge, and descend through the exhibits.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
How long was Head-Smashed-In used?
About 6,000 years.
Is Head-Smashed-In a UNESCO site?
Yes, since 1981.
Is Head-Smashed-In open in winter?
Yes, the centre is open year-round, with reduced days outside summer.
Where does the name Head-Smashed-In come from?
From a Blackfoot story about a young man who wanted to see the hunt from below the cliff.