Montana State Parks :: First Peoples Buffalo Jump

First Peoples Buffalo Jump

STATE PARK

See one of the largest buffalo jump sites in the country. Explore the visitor center and interpretive trails that tell the story of the people, the animals, and the landscape of the buffalo culture.

HOURS & LOCATION

SEASON AND HOURS
Park
Open all year

Summer Hours
Visitor Center and Upper Access Area
4/1 - 9/30: 8 am - 6 pm daily

Winter Hours
Visitor Center and Upper Access Area:
10/1 - 3/31
10 am - 4 pm Wed - Sat and 12 pm - 4 pm Sun.

LOCATION
342 Ulm -Vaughn Rd.
Ulm, MT 59485
Latitude/Longitude: (47.479 / -111.525)

GET DIRECTIONS >>

FEE INFORMATION >>

MT State Parks Guide

MEET THE PARK MANAGER
Photo of Richard Hopkins, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park Manager

Richard Hopkins is Park Manager for First Peoples Buffalo Jump and Tower Rock State Parks. He began with Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks in 2004 after a 36-year career with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). He served in various positions in Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming, including range conservation, reclamation, and tribal coordination, in addition to working in Washington, DC. in mineral leasing. Richard was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas and grew up in Pueblo, Colorado, graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in Range Science.

CONTACT

CONTACT INFO
Mailing Address:
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
PO Box 109
Ulm, MT 59485

Phone: 406-866-2217
Email: rhopkins@mt.gov

First Peoples Buffalo Jump

STATE PARK

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is an archaeological site with possibly the largest bison cliff jump in North America. Native peoples used this site for at least a thousand years before Lewis and Clark passed through here. The bison jump site consists of a mile long sandstone cliff; there are remnants of drive lines on top of the cliff and there are up to 18 ft. of compacted bufffalo remains below the cliff. The park has an interpretive trail, picnic tables and a protected black-tailed prairie dog town to help the visitor better understand the epic history of hunting on the high plains.

In an effort to pay homage to the buffalo and the people who honor this mighty animal, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park has a terrific on-site education Visitor Center. The 6,000 square foot center offers visitors buffalo culture exhibits, a storytelling circle, classroom, gallery and bookstore. An outdoor amphitheater and traditional games playing fields are featured outdoors.

For hundreds of years, Indians stampeded buffalo over the mile-long cliff. Now, the top of the jump provides expansive panoramic views of the Rocky Mountain Front, the Missouri River valley, and the buttes and grasslands that characterize this High Plains setting. Plan at least a two-hour stop in this day-use-only park.

Activities Available