Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site

Of all of Alberta’s parks and historic sites, this one is the best! The museum itself is a great presentation, complete with a gift shop and cafe. There is an outdoor area where one can get a good view of the jumps, and a hiking trail below, allowing you to walk right where the action was taking place! If you take an interest in history, and are able to visit, this place is a must!

If you like history, it is a must go. A lot of knowledge I learnt from here. The cafeteria doesn't open during winter season thought but not a big deal.

Love the location of this museum, built into the cliff side next to the buffalo jump. The exhibits did an excellent job explaining the ways of life and knowledge of the local First Nations peoples. The museum also has trails which allow you to physically explore the buffalo jump site from the cliff top and from below. Really enjoyed roaming those trails. Total highlight!

Such a beautiful and informative site! We thoroughly enjoyed the museum displays and the walking trails. Be sure to watch the 15 minite movie in the museum theater, it was very informative and well done! The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly!

Small museum to know about the history of the jumping buffaloes and the way they planned the hunting to get meat

Highly recommending Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site!

By chance, we joined a group tour led by the knowledgeable and friendly guide, Quinton, who is from the Blackfoot people. This UNESCO Heritage Site offers a deep understanding of how Plains people hunted buffalos and the cultural significance of the location.

The well-designed center provides comprehensive insights into the background, stone tools, treaties, and more. I highly recommend starting your visit early to fully appreciate the incredible efforts behind this educational site.

First class interpretation centre. The video presentations are worth the time. Getting on the top trail gives great perspective.

Visit the place to understand how the Indigenous people of western Canada lived in harmony with nature. The role that the Buffalo played in their lives.

Knowledge gain:
Price:
Gift shop: (closed)
Cafeteria: (closed)
Envr.: ?

Stupid humans make mistakes repeatedly. But, luckily, most people learn from it to avoid history repeating itself! This is an extremely precious cultural relic archaeological site!
Visiting this historic site, Aboriginal people once again share the wisdom of their ancestors and their value to life.
In the end, I just want to say.be kind, grateful for the source of the food, thanks for our Mother Earth. Learn the good thing from each other. Let's be Canadians that our children and grandchildren can be proud of.
Also, thank you for reading this.

Fun fact!

Incidentally the name of the place “head smashed in” does not refer to the dead bison; it arises from a legend:

there was once a young warrior who wanted a grandstand seat from which to watch the animals crashing down. So he stood with his back to the cliff face as the bison plummeted before his eyes.however that particular day the number of animals killed was greater than usual… more and more crashed to their death, crushing the young man against this sheer Cliff wall.as a result the Blackfeet call the place “where he got his head smashed in. ”

Great and informative place to learn and understand Indigenous culture. Every Canadian should visit this place. I really enjoyed the stories from Little Leaf. His stories and his experiences helped me understand Indigenous history. I hope to hear more of his stories the next time I go there.

Really amazing place to learn about the history of the natives that lived on these lands. How they hunted, how their societies formed and how they lived in balance with the world around them.

Amazing museum and sights of the jump were fascinating. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Donovan's presentation was so interesting, warm and showed a sincere passion for his culture. Loved it!

Highly recommended. Never knew any history existed like this, I have high respect for nature and history, real a Canadian experience to share with family

The petroglyphs are very interesting but the surrounding area is truly breathtaking. I do recommend taking a guided tour to see the petroglyphs, without the guide there to describe and give meaning to them they would be lost in alot of the other graffiti on the stone walls.

A sacred part of Canada's past is preserved right here in Alberta and is something all Canadians need to experience. Do I take time now to describe every aspect of what a visit is like or urge every single person out there to make the trip to see and experience this extraordinary place. Staff are friendly and helpful. Facility is incredibly clean and very well organized. Absolutely tons of berries along the interpretive trail. TIPS: sunblock. Comfortable shoes for the interpretive walk. Do not take the first exit up a dirt road towards the tipi. Keep driving. Saw a few people head up there mistakenly. There is a huge sign at the entrance. People with physical disabilities, or other metabolic issues should be dropped off up top before parking down the hill in designated parking. It is a bit of a slog to get up the hill from there to the center.

Centre itself is very well designed and suits the landscape. Information clearly presented with videos, photographs, historical background, expert taxidermy and interesting positioning. The clifftop trail gives a great view of the while area and the lower trail provides information on the stages of the hunt.

Absolutely amazing and immersive experience! The entire site was really well done and educational.

Just wish the ladies at the front would have explained the museum route better. They rattled it off so fast and rushed us through admission, we had no idea where the beginning of the exhibit was, and wandered around confused for a good 10 minutes.

Amazing interpretive center providing a lot of information about Blackfoot people.
It’s located in an actual Buffalo jump site and the museum building is perfectly blended into the cliff. We were wondering if the GPS or the road sings were wrong until we were just there, because we were not able to distinguish it from the distance.
If you are in the area, just take the detour and plan for no less than 2 hours there. Definitely worth it!
When coming from the southwest, just be aware the fastest route took us out of the highway into a gravel road. maps: that was not a good choice! Just stay in the main road. Even when it is 10 min slower you will be avoiding a flat tire or some damage in your car!