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. 6, 2026 at 10:56am

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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 were once abundant across North America, numbering in the tens of millions. Today, seeing them in the wild is a much more unique experience, making these alternative bison-viewing spots in Montana valuable for both conservation and tourism.

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-style experience compared to the more confined areas of Yellowstone.

  • 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.

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 vast 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 view these majestic animals in a more natural and less confined setting, providing a unique wildlife experience and supporting conservation efforts.