Madison Buffalo Jump State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madison Buffalo Jump State Park |
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Interpretive tablets facing the cliff
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 Madison Buffalo Jump State Park
Location in Montana
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| Location | Gallatin County, Montana, United States |
| Nearest town | Logan, Montana |
| Area | 638 acres (258 ha) |
| Elevation | 4,554 ft (1,388 m) |
| Designation | Montana state park |
| Established | 1966 |
| Named for | A buffalo jump in the Madison River valley |
| Administrator | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks |
| Website | Madison Buffalo Jump State Park |
Madison Buffalo Jump State Park is a special place in Montana, USA. It's a state park that protects a tall cliff in a canyon. Long ago, Native American tribes used this cliff as a "buffalo jump."
This was a clever way to hunt bison. They would guide large herds of bison to stampede over the cliff. This method helped them get food, clothing, and shelter. Even today, the area looks much like it did centuries ago.
Discover Madison Buffalo Jump State Park
Madison Buffalo Jump State Park is located in Gallatin County, Montana. It's about seven miles south of Logan, Montana. This park is famous for its history. It shows how early people lived and hunted.
Archaeologists, who study old things, have found many bison bones here. They also found signs of old villages where people lived in tipis. These discoveries help us understand life from a long time ago.
A Look Back in Time
Native American tribes used this buffalo jump for about 2,000 years. They started using it around 500 B.C. and stopped around 1750 A.D. They hunted bison without horses or guns.
Young men called runners would guide the bison. They were very fast and had great endurance. The tribes also built lines of rocks called cairns and used logs. These helped funnel the bison towards the cliff.
The bison provided everything they needed. Their meat was used for food, and extra meat was dried. Skins became tipis and clothes. Bones and horns were made into tools.
Many different tribes used this hunting ground. These included the Hidatsa, Shoshone, Lakota, Dakota, Nez Perce, Bannock, Arapaho, Salish, Cheyenne, Blackfeet, Crow, Gros Ventres, Cree, and Assiniboine. Families would camp at the bottom of the cliffs to process the bison.
When Europeans brought horses to North America, hunting changed. People could now hunt bison more easily from horseback. This led to the end of the buffalo jumps.
Visiting the Park Today
Madison Buffalo Jump State Park covers 638 acres. Most of this land is owned by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The rest belongs to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
The park has a small picnic area. You can enjoy a meal there near the parking lot. There's also a hiking trail that leads to the top of the cliff. Along the trail, you'll find signs that explain the history of the site.
This park is open every day for visitors. You can go hiking, watch for wildlife, and have a picnic. It's a great place to learn about Native American history and enjoy nature.
