Malta, Montana - Sleeping Buffalo Rock

Malta is the closest place to this attraction, by 17 miles, and it's along a desolate stretch of US Rt 2 near the eastern end of the state. This is an old rock indigenous to the area, part of a group of boulders that the local Indians held sacred, and a pre-historic native long ago had made carvings in the rock to make it look more like a buffalo. It's really hard to see how the carvings make it a buffalo, though, but this appears to be one of the earliest known instances of American roadside attractions.

The rock currently rests roadside under a protective shack, with informational markers on either side. [Jim Heverin, 10/31/2005]

The Sleeping Buffalo Rock reposes in its corral under a shed at the junction of US 2 and MT 243. Its shape is suggestive of a buffalo, with its legs tucked up, resting its chin on the ground. Carvings highlight the outline of ribs and backbone and are probably prehistoric.

You should approach the rock with respect. It will tell you what it wants. It appreciates coins (Canadian currency is OK.) and is especially fond of tobacco -- judging from the unsmoked cigarettes that people have left for it. [Chuck Rhode, 05/26/2005]