Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump, Alberta

Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump is one of the world's largest and best preserved buffalo jumps located in the Porcupine Hills of southwestern Alberta. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981. There is an impressive interpretive centre and museum which is built and blends into the ancient sandstone cliff. The centre is composed of 5 levels which depict the history and culture of the Native Americans.

Native people of the North American plains (The Blackfoot) used a creative strategy of rounding up the bison and chasing the herd down drive lanes lined with more than 500 stone cairns over a precipice. This began nearly 5,500-6,000 years ago and continued into the middle of the 19th century. After being killed due to the fall from the cliff, the dead carcasses were processed at a nearby camp. The bison provided the Native People of the Great Plains with food, hides for clothing and shelter, sinew, and bone for tools.

Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo-Jump is situated 18 kms west of Fort Macleod and roughly 180 kms south of Calgary. This is a great stop for those who are going to or coming back from Waterton Lakes National Park.