In addition to its grandiose landscapes and natural beauty, Montana also has some fascinating history, legends, and stories. Unfortunately, some of them are quite unpleasant. But nothing quite tops the tragic tale of Sacrifice Cliff in Billings, Montana, which comes from an old Native American legend. Once you hear the story, it’s impossible to think of much else when you spot the massive cliff in the distance.

Sacrifice Cliff overlooks the Billings area, and the views are fantastic.

Jessica S. / TripAdvisor The cliff looms over the entire city, which makes the tragic tale seem even spookier and more sinister.

According to the legend, the cliff was once a place of meditation for young boys and men in the Crow tribe. They would make the trip over from wherever they lived and spend some time on the rocks in silence.

Robby GC / TripAdvisor One day, two teen Crow boys returned to their tribe to discover that nearly everyone had been wiped out by smallpox. In most versions of the tale, the victims included both of the boys’ sweethearts as well as their immediate family members.

The boys were so distraught over the loss of their loved ones, they couldn’t bear to go on living. So they returned to Sacrifice Cliff with their horses, blindfolded the horses, and rode off the cliffs to their deaths so they could join their tribe on the other side.

Jessica S / TripAdvisor And that’s how this beautiful, rugged cliff got its name.

No one knows for certain if the tale is true or not, but sadly, it isn’t impossible.

Robby GC / TripAdvisor The smallpox epidemic was extremely dangerous for Native Americans in the 1800s. The disease was extremely lethal, killing around 90 percent of the Native American people who became sick with it.

These days, you can visit Sacrifice Cliff and read about the legend while taking in the sweeping views of the city.

Robby GC / TripAdvisor But, while the area is perfectly peaceful now, its chilling history remains.

Do you think the heartbreaking legend of Sacrifice Cliff is true? The stories surrounding Sacrifice Cliff in Billings are numerous, but many of them share the same basic premise. So while we’ll never know for sure what took place here, we definitely encourage all visitors to be safe in the area.

Jessica S. / TripAdvisor

The cliff looms over the entire city, which makes the tragic tale seem even spookier and more sinister.

Robby GC / TripAdvisor

One day, two teen Crow boys returned to their tribe to discover that nearly everyone had been wiped out by smallpox. In most versions of the tale, the victims included both of the boys’ sweethearts as well as their immediate family members.

Jessica S / TripAdvisor

And that’s how this beautiful, rugged cliff got its name.

Robby GC / TripAdvisor

The smallpox epidemic was extremely dangerous for Native Americans in the 1800s. The disease was extremely lethal, killing around 90 percent of the Native American people who became sick with it.

But, while the area is perfectly peaceful now, its chilling history remains.

This isn’t the only fascinating story that Montana has under its belt. Check out these spooky urban legends.

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Address: Sacrifice Cliff, Montana 59101, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Sacrifice Cliff & Related Info December 21, 2022 Jennifer What are the prettiest scenic overlooks in Montana? In Big Sky country, there is no shortage of stunning panoramic views and epic high points (both natural and man-made) from which to enjoy them. Craving some mile-high sights? Check out these scenic overlooks, byways, and alpine peaks in Montana:

Lone Peak Blodgett Canyon Overlook Hidden Lake Overlook Tranquil Basin Overlook Devil’s Canyon Overlook Goat Lick Overlook Beartooth Pass Whitefish Mountain Resort Tally Lake Overlook Paradise Valley Bighorn Canyon Bear Creek Overlook Trail Glacier Lake Trail Going-to-the-Sun Road Skalkaho Highway Scenic Byway Mt. Haggin Scenic Drive National Bison Range Scenic Byway Sun River Wildlife Management Area Scenic Byway Big Sheep Creek Backcountry Byway Missouri Breaks National Back Country Byway Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway Big Sky Backcountry Byway Beartooth Highway

  What are some of the most unique museums in Montana? Whether you love learning about Montana’s geologic and prehistoric history or are hoping to uncover more about the settlement of the West, physics, art, and everything in between, Montana has plenty of museums to satisfy even the most curious visitor. You’ll quickly find that small town specialty and massive galleries alike can be found in every corner of the state…and maybe even a few oddities as well. Some of the best and most unique museums in Montana include:

American Computer & Robotics Museum, Bozeman Children’s Museum of Montana, Great Falls Gallatin History Museum, Bozeman Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum, Glendive Historic Dumas Brothel Museum, Butte Holter Museum of Art, Helena Little Bear Schoolhouse Museum, Bozeman Miracle of America Museum, Poison Missoula Art Museum, Missoula Montana Museum of Art & Culture, Missoula Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman Old Trail Museum, Choteau Range Riders Museum, Miles City Stonehenge Air Museum, Lincoln County Winifred Museum, Winifred

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

Sacrifice Cliff & Related Info

December 21, 2022

Jennifer

What are the prettiest scenic overlooks in Montana? In Big Sky country, there is no shortage of stunning panoramic views and epic high points (both natural and man-made) from which to enjoy them. Craving some mile-high sights? Check out these scenic overlooks, byways, and alpine peaks in Montana:

Lone Peak Blodgett Canyon Overlook Hidden Lake Overlook Tranquil Basin Overlook Devil’s Canyon Overlook Goat Lick Overlook Beartooth Pass Whitefish Mountain Resort Tally Lake Overlook Paradise Valley Bighorn Canyon Bear Creek Overlook Trail Glacier Lake Trail Going-to-the-Sun Road Skalkaho Highway Scenic Byway Mt. Haggin Scenic Drive National Bison Range Scenic Byway Sun River Wildlife Management Area Scenic Byway Big Sheep Creek Backcountry Byway Missouri Breaks National Back Country Byway Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway Big Sky Backcountry Byway Beartooth Highway

  What are some of the most unique museums in Montana? Whether you love learning about Montana’s geologic and prehistoric history or are hoping to uncover more about the settlement of the West, physics, art, and everything in between, Montana has plenty of museums to satisfy even the most curious visitor. You’ll quickly find that small town specialty and massive galleries alike can be found in every corner of the state…and maybe even a few oddities as well. Some of the best and most unique museums in Montana include:

American Computer & Robotics Museum, Bozeman Children’s Museum of Montana, Great Falls Gallatin History Museum, Bozeman Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum, Glendive Historic Dumas Brothel Museum, Butte Holter Museum of Art, Helena Little Bear Schoolhouse Museum, Bozeman Miracle of America Museum, Poison Missoula Art Museum, Missoula Montana Museum of Art & Culture, Missoula Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman Old Trail Museum, Choteau Range Riders Museum, Miles City Stonehenge Air Museum, Lincoln County Winifred Museum, Winifred

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

In Big Sky country, there is no shortage of stunning panoramic views and epic high points (both natural and man-made) from which to enjoy them. Craving some mile-high sights? Check out these scenic overlooks, byways, and alpine peaks in Montana:

  • Lone Peak
  • Blodgett Canyon Overlook
  • Hidden Lake Overlook
  • Tranquil Basin Overlook
  • Devil’s Canyon Overlook
  • Goat Lick Overlook
  • Beartooth Pass
  • Whitefish Mountain Resort
  • Tally Lake Overlook
  • Paradise Valley
  • Bighorn Canyon
  • Bear Creek Overlook Trail
  • Glacier Lake Trail
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road
  • Skalkaho Highway Scenic Byway
  • Mt. Haggin Scenic Drive
  • National Bison Range Scenic Byway
  • Sun River Wildlife Management Area Scenic Byway
  • Big Sheep Creek Backcountry Byway
  • Missouri Breaks National Back Country Byway
  • Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway
  • Big Sky Backcountry Byway
  • Beartooth Highway

 

What are some of the most unique museums in Montana?

Whether you love learning about Montana’s geologic and prehistoric history or are hoping to uncover more about the settlement of the West, physics, art, and everything in between, Montana has plenty of museums to satisfy even the most curious visitor. You’ll quickly find that small town specialty and massive galleries alike can be found in every corner of the state…and maybe even a few oddities as well. Some of the best and most unique museums in Montana include:

  • American Computer & Robotics Museum, Bozeman
  • Children’s Museum of Montana, Great Falls
  • Gallatin History Museum, Bozeman
  • Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum, Glendive
  • Historic Dumas Brothel Museum, Butte
  • Holter Museum of Art, Helena
  • Little Bear Schoolhouse Museum, Bozeman
  • Miracle of America Museum, Poison
  • Missoula Art Museum, Missoula
  • Montana Museum of Art & Culture, Missoula
  • Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman
  • Old Trail Museum, Choteau
  • Range Riders Museum, Miles City
  • Stonehenge Air Museum, Lincoln County
  • Winifred Museum, Winifred