First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System four special dogs, the Lewis and Clark Pups, will travel in the paws of their ancestor Seaman, dog of Meriwether Lewis. The pups will travel more than 3,700 miles to complete their mission to commemorate and protect the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. As they make their stops they will be reporting back in on their adventures. Follow Rocky, Harper, Dakota, and Keelie on their adventures at: https://www.nps.gov/lecl/newfie-news.htm

Today, Harper visits First Peoples Buffalo Jump and Tower Rock State Parks.

Good thing I learned how to fold brochures with Ranger Ryan at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters. It really helped with passing out brochures at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park in Montana.

At First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park they always tell the story of how the buffalo runner leads a herd of buffalo over a cliff. For the hunt, the runners wore animals hides like this one, but I don’t think it quite fits me.

Their interpretive center has a small replica of what the cliff might look like. They let me climb on the cliff to get a bird’s-eye view of the interpretive hall.

From my bird’s-eye view I found this momma buffalo. I decided to give her kisses in honor of the sacrifice her ancestors made. The buffalo was so important to the Native Indians here.

I even got to go on a hike with Ranger Becky and her school group.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is known for being the largest buffalo jump in North America. The hike we took led us to the top of the cliffs. I wanted to go to the edge, but it was a 35-foot drop and windy. Maybe next time.

After going to First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park I got to go to Tower Rock State Park. Meriwether Lewis helped name this place. In his journal he said “At this place there is a large rock of 400 ft. high which stands immediately in the gap which the Missouri makes on its passage from the mountains… This rock I called the tower. It may be ascended with some difficulty nearly to its summit and from there is a most pleasing view of the country we now are about to leave.”

I’m glad Montana State Parks made a hiking trail to the top of Tower Rock. It’s making my travels a lot easier.

Ranger Kaitlin and Ranger Becky helped me recreate the famous pose my ancestor is in.

They were even nice enough to let me take a break and sit under a shady tree.

Some parts of the trail were a bit too hard for me, but thanks to Ranger Becky I didn’t get left behind!

I had a great day at First Peoples Buffalo Jump and Tower Rock State Parks! Thanks for the tour!

Learn more about First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park:
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Learn more about Tower Rock State Park:
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Tower Rock is a High Potential Historic Site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Learn more about the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail:
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