Beyond Yellowstone: Where To See Bison In Montana

Think Yellowstone is the only place to see bison? Think again. Here are a couple of spots in Montana where you can still catch them roaming.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:56pm

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Montana is known for its incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, and one of the top animals on visitors' lists is the American bison. While Yellowstone National Park is a well-known destination for bison sightings, there are other places in Montana where you can spot these majestic creatures in the wild, including the CSKT Bison Range and American Prairie's Sun Prairie and Buffalo Camp locations.

Why it matters

Bison populations have declined significantly over the years, making sightings in the wild a more unique experience. These alternative bison viewing locations in Montana provide opportunities to see the animals in their natural habitat and learn about the cultural and conservation efforts surrounding them.

The details

The CSKT Bison Range is home to a herd of around 350 bison and has a long history tied to conservation, first established in the early 1900s and now owned and managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. American Prairie's Sun Prairie and Buffalo Camp locations allow visitors to view bison roaming across a massive landscape, providing a more backcountry-like experience as the animals can cover a lot of ground in a single day.

  • The CSKT Bison Range has been in operation since the early 1900s.
  • American Prairie's bison viewing locations have been open to the public for several years.

The players

CSKT Bison Range

An area established in the early 1900s that is now owned and managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, home to a herd of around 350 bison with deep cultural roots.

American Prairie

An organization that manages large tracts of land in Montana, including the Sun Prairie and Buffalo Camp locations where visitors can view bison roaming across a massive landscape.

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The takeaway

While Yellowstone National Park is a well-known destination for bison sightings, Montana offers alternative locations where visitors can experience these majestic animals in their natural habitat and learn about the cultural and conservation efforts surrounding them.