Situated on the edge of a broad valley carved by the
Madison River, this high limestone cliff was used for 2000 years, and as recently as 200 years ago, by American Indians. It enabled them to stampede herds of bison in vast numbers off this massive semicircular cliff, using them for food, clothing, shelter and provisions. The introduction of horses led to the abandonment of the jump sometime after 1700.
The park encloses all the main geographical features of a jump site and several formations remain to provide visitors with a glimpse of the cultures that used the jump site as a method of hunting.
Madison Buffalo Jump is located 23 miles west of Bozeman on Interstate 90 at the Logan exit, then 7 miles south on Buffalo Jump Road.
