Visit the Vore Buffalo Jump

Just off I-90, a natural sinkhole preserves an extraordinary record of communal bison hunting and Plains history.

Circle of Sacred Smoke sculpture with Devils Tower beyond
The Circle of Sacred Smoke sculpture stands within a landscape held sacred by many Indigenous peoples. Photo: NPS / S. Carter

The Vore Buffalo Jump is a seasonal archaeological and interpretive site near Beulah. It fits naturally between Spearfish, Sundance and Devils Tower.

What the site preserves

The central feature is a natural sinkhole used as a bison trap during the late prehistoric period. Archaeology at the site documents repeated hunts, processing and the movement of Plains peoples through the region.

The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains an active place of research and interpretation—not simply a roadside overlook.

How to visit

The visitor experience is seasonal. Confirm opening dates, tour times, admission and accessibility before building a day around it.

The descent toward the archaeological area may be difficult for some visitors. Ask the site directly about current access and mobility options.

Pair it with Beulah or Sundance

Beulah makes a quiet nearby stop at the Wyoming line. Sundance offers the broader set of meals, lodging and visitor services.

From the jump, continue west toward Sundance and Devils Tower or east toward Spearfish and the Northern Black Hills.

Visit thoughtfully

The history interpreted here belongs to Indigenous peoples and living communities. Give exhibits and guides time to explain the site beyond the mechanics of a hunt.

Stay within designated visitor areas and do not collect bone, stone or other material.

Best place in the itineraryUse the Vore Buffalo Jump as the historical bridge between a Black Hills morning and a Sundance or Devils Tower afternoon.

Check current official information

Details such as fees, openings, closures and regulations can change. Use these official sources before travel: