Head Smashed-in Buffalo Jump Tour
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, located where the foothills of the Rocky Mountains meet the great plains, is one of the world's oldest, largest, and best preserved buffalo jump's known to exist. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Head-Smashed-In has been used continuously by the Prairies First Nation (Blackfoot) peoples of the plains for more than 5,500 years. The Blackfoot bands were nomadic. The structure of their movements was dictated by the location of the bison herds, the weather and the season. This structured movement is known as the seasonal round.
In mid-summer, when the Saskatoon berries were ripe, the bands came together for the Sun Dance. The Sun Dance was the major tribal ceremony in historic times. This was the only time of year when all the people of the tribe assembled at the same place. After the Sun Dance, the bands again separated to pursue the buffalo. In the fall, the bands would gradually shift to their wintering areas and prepare the bison jumps and pounds. Several bands might join together at particularly good sites, such as Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. As the bison moved into the area, drawn by water and richer forage than the burned-dry summer grasses, communal kills would again occur, and the people would prepare dry meat and pemmican for winter. Such dry food stores were used as emergency supplies for those times when the bison were not near. At the end of the fall, the Blackfoot would move to their winter camp locales.
Tour Highlights
- Sightseeing and informative driving through the Great Canadian Prairires of Southern Alberta
- Short, sightseeing and informative stops at:
- Big Rock (Glacial Erratic)
- Scenic drive south along Highway 22, also known as Legendary Cowboy Trail
- Drive past and see Bar U Ranch
- Village of Longview
- Chain Lakes
- Frank Slide
- Key stop at:
- The duration of the tour is between 9 and 9.5 hours
- Want a more detailed overview? See this tour's Details & Itinerary
Cost, Payment, and What's Included
- Cost: $135.00 per person
- Amount does not include applicable taxes & fees
- Tour Includes:
- Driver & Tour Guide
- Comfortable and air-conditioned, 7 or 15 passenger ground transportation
- Full day of Sightseeing and guiding to all the above attractions
- Admission into the Head Smashed-in Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre
- Acceptable forms of payment:
- Online - PayPal or Interac e-Transfer
- Driver gratuities or tipping may be provided at your own discretion and will be happily accepted
- Please visit our Terms & Conditions page for our cancellation policy, and other important information
Quick Tour Facts
- This Tour is available all year-round, but is confirmed and operates based on the following criteria:
- Operator Availability
- At least 4 persons must be reserved, and paid for, in full
- Traveling alone or in a small group? Reserve now to pre-confirm your seats, as tours fill up quickly
- For groups larger than 4 persons, this Tour can be privately booked upon request, and for a nominal fee
- Tour Commences at 07:00 in the morning during peak season (May - November), and at 08:00 during the slow season (December - April)
- Service includes pick-up from the Calgary Tower, HI Youth Hostel and at major hotels in downtown Calgary.
- Tour returns to Calgary around 16:00
- All Drop-offs take place at the Calgary Tower
- Have a question about the tour? Visit this tour's Frequently Asked Questions
Discounts
- HI & Backpackers Hostel Members, International Student Members, and Senior Citizens (65+)
- $10.00 Discount
- Chilrden (6-11)
- $25.00 Discount
- Children 5 and under
- Free
- One discount per person