Canada AlbertaHead-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site

secondary Highway #785, 275068 AB-785, Fort MacLeod, AB T0L 0Z0, Canada

4.7(1.0K)

Open 24 hours

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Cultural

Outdoor

Scenic

Family friendly

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Phone

+1 403-553-2731

Website

headsmashedin.ca

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Posts

sara ~sara ~

Absolutely amazing. As young high schoolers we often drove to the cliff as a group & hiked up. We also walked through the cows right to the base. This was all way before it was repatriated to the Blackfoot. I'm so glad things are run by the ancestral people of the land. My memories of the place are completely different. I think we went to the further, now for First Nations only, Buffalo Jump. I loved the interpretation centre. I wish we could have joined the private group tours to learn more. There wasn't any wandering interpretation staff to talk to when we were there. The man at the entrance to pay was so friendly & welcoming. I wanted to offer him tobacco to ask permission to come in, as I was taught, but there was a line behind me & I didn't want him to feel awkward seeing as he was behind a glass wall. I grew up knowing that you offered tobacco as both permission to be somewhere & to ask if the Firsr Nations person would accept it to honour their guidance they could choose to give you. It's symbolic but important. I would suggest adding some different languages as an audio walking tour or maybe books to borrow for common other languages. There were 2 family groups i witnessed, one Persian & one French that struggled with understanding the movies & written displays. As someone who grew up in Southern Alberta I knew this place was important & sacred. My high school didn't respect its sacredness or coordinate with local Blackfoot to have permission or even pay for a guided tour. I offered tobacco as an offering when I came for several reasons. First, to apologize for coming there without permission as a teen & not respecting the sacredness in the past. Next to thank the spirit & ancestors of the land for allowing me to come back to both apologize & see it's majesty again. I had hoped to offer tobacco officially to a guide to ask them if they would accept it, but I never saw anyone until we were leaving. I had prayed with it & had some ready to offer. I used most of it up at the tourist area overlooking the first jump, but left some along the path to & from the facility in sincere thanks. The gift shop was ok, but I would have loved to see much more artisanal work by local Blackfoot . The t shirts were nice, staff in the shops too. The gift shop is poorly designed and cramped. The snack area was closed. Parking was ok. You can drop off people at the entrance that have mobility issues. It's all wheelchair friendly. You start by taking elevators to the top. I did overhear that one of the USA groups had trouble with the elevators because they were all too heavy.

RAB P.P.RAB P.P.

🦬 Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump – A Powerful Connection to the Past—We’ve visited Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump a few times over the years, and each time it gets better. The staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable—they really bring the history to life. The site is well-maintained, and the washrooms were clean, which is always appreciated. This year, we noticed some new features added since our last visit, which made the experience feel fresh. They offer family packages and discounted rates for veterans and their families, which is a thoughtful touch. No need to book in advance—we walked in on a weekend and had no issues, even with tour buses coming through. 🐾 Heads-up for pet owners: Dogs aren’t allowed inside the interpretive centre, but there’s a shaded waiting area outside where you can sit with your pup. They even provide water bowls, which was a kind gesture. ✅ Tip: If you’re heading south from Pincher Creek or exploring the Waterton area, this is a must-stop. It’s not just a museum—it’s a place to reflect, learn, and connect with Indigenous history in a meaningful way.

Jeff LlemaJeff Llema

The World Heritage Site: Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump After a long week of work, we finally had the chance to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, just a 2-hour drive from Calgary. No booking required! Simply pay the entrance fee and enjoy the fascinating exhibits. It’s a place rich in history, offering insight into how Indigenous people survived and thrived in this cold and challenging environment. You’ll learn about traditional hunting methods, culture, and resilience. A must visit, especially for families with kids! It’s a meaningful way to teach children about the remarkable ways people adapted and lived in harmony with nature.

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Reviews of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site

4.7

(1,042)

5.0

13w

I'm so glad things are run by the ancestral people of the land. My memories of the place are completely different. I think we went to the further, now for First Nations only, Buffalo Jump.

I loved the interpretation centre. I wish we could have joined the private group tours to learn...

5.0

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is the oldest preserved buffalo jump site in North America. Continuing there since 1948, archeological research and excavations found multiple proofs that this site was used by Indigenous people starting from over 7000 years ago.

The site was designed as National Historical Site in 1968, and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1981. In May 1982 Provincial Government approved the constraction of the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive...

4.0

The only downside of this place is the parking situation. You can drop off people at the top of the loop, but parking is downhill. Unfortunately, they lost funding precovid, which allowed them to have a shuttle back in the day, but that is gone now. So keep that in mind when you are going. First Nations get in free which was wonderful. Kids under 4 are free, adults are $15 each, and they offer family passes. The set up is meant to be top to bottom. So to begin you take one elevator to 4th...