The cliff
Above the prairie.
Thomas Fuhrmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ken Thomas — Public domain · Mike from Vancouver, Canada — CC BY-SA 2.0 · XeresNelro — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Matthias Süßen — CC BY-SA 3.0
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a heritage site and museum of Blackfoot culture 18 km west of Fort Macleod, Alberta, where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains begin to rise from the prairie, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For 5,500 years the Indigenous peoples of the plains used it to hunt, driving bison herds from grazing land in the Porcupine Hills towards the edge of an 11-metre cliff. The site carries a Blackfoot name, and the Piikani elder Joe Crowshoe Sr. was instrumental in its development. The weathered sandstone cliff stands above a vast golden grassland stretching to the horizon, with grassy hills and walking trails around it, and the visitor centre is built into the cliff itself on several levels. The centre tells the story of Blackfoot life, hunting and culture, and its rooftop looks out over the prairie. Winds are often strong here, so bring a jacket, and check opening times before you go.
Above the prairie.
Built into the cliff.
Across the grassland.
West of Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada
About two hours.
Often; bring a jacket.