Cities and regions／Canada
Place of interest ·

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is an archaeological and cultural landscape in the foothills of southern Alberta. Its interpretive centre, viewpoints and trails explain how Blackfoot or Niitsitapi peoples organized communal bison hunts by using the terrain.

Cliff and open prairie at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta.
Photo by Lazarus000 Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
The place

What makes it special

  • Interpretive centre with seven floors of exhibitions, a film and an upper viewpoint.
  • Landscape of drive lanes, cliff edge and processing areas.
  • Interpretation connected with Blackfoot or Niitsitapi history and knowledge.
Exterior of the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre built into the hillside.
Photo by Ed Correa Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
Bison in a grassland landscape, contextual image not necessarily taken at the site.
Photo by Kim Siever from Lethbridge, AB, Canada Source: Wikimedia Commons Licence: CC0
Travel atlas

Articles in Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Guides to this place

1 article

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Viajalo Editorial

Guides to this place

1 related guides

Cliff and open prairie at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and the landscape of communal hunting

A visit to southern Alberta to understand a Niitsitapi/Blackfoot landscape, explore its viewpoints and plan a stop that depends on having a car.

Read guide →
Information in context

Sources and references

This profile summarises our destination guides. Their research sources and the geographical reference are listed below.

Profile updated: 13/09/2026