Madison Buffalo Jump State Park

Madison Buffalo Jump State Park
Montana State Park
named for: A buffalo jump in the Madison River valley
Country United States
State Montana
County Gallatin County
Elevation 4,554 ft (1,388 m) [1]
Coordinates 45°47′40″N 111°27′45″W / 45.79444°N 111.46250°W / 45.79444; -111.46250Coordinates: 45°47′40″N 111°27′45″W / 45.79444°N 111.46250°W / 45.79444; -111.46250
Area 638 acres (258 ha)
Location of Madison Buffalo Jump State Park in Montana
Website: Madison Buffalo Jump State Park

Madison Buffalo Jump State Park is a Montana state park in Gallatin County, Montana in the United States. The park is 638 acres (258 ha) and sits at an elevation of 4,554 feet (1,388 m).[1] The park is named for a canyon cliff used by Native Americans as a buffalo jump, where herds of bison were stampeded over the cliff as an efficient means of slaughter.[2] Madison Buffalo Jump State Park is a day use-only park. It is open year-round for hiking, wildlife observation, and some picnicking.[2]

History

The buffalo jump at Madison Buffalo Jump State Park was used by numerous Native American tribes for approximately 2000 years, dating as far back as 500 B.C. and ending around 1750 A.D.[3] The indigenous peoples stampeded the herds of bison off the cliff without the aid of horses or guns.[4] They used the bison for food, clothing, provisions and shelter.[5] The bison were forced into a stampede by young men known as runners. The runners were trained for endurance and speed.[5] The bison were also forced into groups by linear cairns and logs that were placed to funnel the bison into specific locations on areas in behind the cliff face.[6] The introduction of the horse to North America by European explorers and settlers brought about the end of the buffalo jumps.[5] The State park has not changed much over the years; bone shards are still scattered at the base of the cliff and tepee rings still gather around the top.[7]

The buffalo jump along the Madison River was used by numerous tribes including the Hidatsa, Shoshone, Lakota, Dakota, Nez Perce, Bannock, Arapaho, Salish, Cheyenne, Blackfeet, Crow, Gros Ventres, Cree and Assiniboine.[3] The families of the runners from the tribes would camp at the base of the cliffs. From there they were able to process the bison. The meat was used for food and the meat that was not eaten right away was dried.[8] Skins were used for tipis and horns and bones were used for various types of tools.[8] Markings on many of the bones indicate that foul play was a possible cause of death.

Park

Madison Buffalo Jump State Park protects the main geographic features of the jump site.[5] The layout of the land is largely unchanged since the days of the jumps. Archaeologists have found tons of bison bones buried at the base of the cliffs.[5] They have also uncovered the remains of tipi villages.[5]

The park is seven miles south of Interstate 90's interchange at Logan. There is a small picnic area near the parking lot. An interpretive hiking trail leads visitors to the top of the cliff. The cost is $5 day fee per vehicle for a non-resident visitor.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Madison Buffalo Jump State Monument". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. June 1, 1995. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  2. 1 2 "Madison Buffalo Jump State Park". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  3. 1 2 "Introduction to Madison Buffalo Jump and Bison in American Indian Cultures" (pdf). Indian Education: Montana Office of Public Instruction. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  4. ↑ Bray, Thomas (2006-07-19). "Where the Bison Roam". New York Sun. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Madison Buffalo Jump State Park". Montana Official Travel Site. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  6. ↑ Nielsen, John (2006-11-16). "Writers preserve American Landscape Words". National Public Radio. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  7. ↑ McRae, W. C. & Judy Jewell. "Madison Buffalo Jump State Monument". Moon Travel Guides. Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  8. 1 2 "Madison Buffalo Jump". Travel Montana. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  9. ↑ "Madison Buffalo Jump State Park". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
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