First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is an off-the-beaten-path venue to hold events during Western Art Week, and Rick Thomson says that is just fine. Through his job as park manager for First Peoples Buffalo Jump and Tower Rock State Parks outside of Great Falls, he sees everyday how the Native American and homesteader history at the archeological site near Ulm is tightly wound with the art that brings thousands to the Great Falls art shows and auctions each spring. 

“Working with more artists? That is a direction I would like to see things going  people coming out to do their painting or other work,” Thompson says. “We do get photographers who come out, and last summer an art class from the C.M Russell Museum used the (Buffalo) Jump for inspiration on their work.”  

During Western Art Week Thompson and his crew are hosting two events on Saturday, Mar. 18. At 10 a.m. people will meet at the First Peoples visitors center where a ranger will lead a group of 20 people on a two-hour hike at the base of the cliffs. Hikers will see different geological formations holding of rock art, like pictographs, petroglyphs and homesteader inscriptions.  

He said the $4 hike is best for those ages 12 or older. “We consider this to be a strenuous hike,” he adds. The hike is limited to 20 people, and spots can be reserved by calling (406) 866-2217. 

At noon in the visitors center, is open for the second year of the Park’s Western art show featuring two participants. The first is painter D.G. House; more art comes from members of the Kuka family who live in the Great Falls area. Four family members present their works in multiple mediums, such as painting and metal works. The show is free for Montana residents, and Thompson explains that out-of-state visitors pay the everyday park fee of $6 per vehicle.  

These artists participated last year and returned for 2017. “A few pieces sold. …For a first time event last year, it was a success. A respectable amount of people came out to see the artwork and enjoy refreshments,” Thomson says. 

He said Saturday, or any open day, visitors always enjoy following the three-mile looped hiking trail. Thomson says, “Enjoy a nice walk. Also, access the top of the jump, or you can drive around to top. The view from up there is pretty amazing.”  

He suggests visitors bring their cameras, as there are also other visitors on-site. “Pronghorn antelope. Take pictures if you are lucky enough to catch them passing through. There’s also mule deer, coyotes, golden eagles, owls and prairie dogs. This is a good spot to do some wildlife viewing.” 

But, foremost, the park and National Historic Landmark is an archaeological site with possibly the largest bison cliff jump in North America, and definitely the largest in the Great Falls region, Thompson says. He adds that there are 40 or more bison jumps in the region; some were rarely used and aren’t accessible because of private ownership.  

Native Americans used the First Peoples site for at least 1,000 years before Lewis and Clark passed through, the State Park Service says. The bison jump site consists of a mile long sandstone cliff; there are remnants of drive lines on top of the cliff and there are up to 18 feet of compacted buffalo remains below the cliff. The interpretive trail and visitors center are open limited winter hours. Days and hours of operation are at http://stateparks.mt.gov/first-peoples-buffalo-jump/ . 

The First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is at 342 Ulm -Vaughn Rd.    Thomson’s directions say it is 12 miles off Interstate 15 at exit 270, Ulm. From exit, drive 3.5 miles west on Ulm-Vaughn Road and signs will point you to the park.