Nature & Wildlife
Wildlife Safari
America's Serengeti
Montana is home to the largest concentration of wildlife in the Lower 48 states, earning it comparisons to Africa's great game reserves. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the last nearly intact temperate ecosystems on Earth, supports an incredible diversity of large mammals that have roamed this landscape for thousands of years. Nowhere else in the United States can you encounter such a wealth of iconic species in their natural, wild habitat.
From the thundering herds of bison in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley to the wolves hunting at dawn in Hayden Valley, Montana offers wildlife experiences that rival anything on the planet. The state is home to grizzly bears, black bears, gray wolves, mountain lions, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn antelope, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and bald eagles, all living wild and free across vast public lands.
5,500+Bison in Yellowstone
700+Grizzly Bears
500+Wolves in Montana
Where to See Wildlife
Lamar Valley, Yellowstone, Often called the "American Serengeti," Lamar Valley is the premier wildlife viewing destination in the entire national park system. Dawn and dusk bring spectacular activity: wolf packs on the hunt, grizzly bears foraging on hillsides, bison herds moving across the valley floor, and coyotes playing in the sagebrush. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope, the valley is wide and the animals often maintain a healthy distance from the road.
National Bison Range, Located in the Mission Valley near Moiese, this 18,500-acre refuge was established in 1908 to protect one of the last remaining bison herds in North America. Today, 350–500 bison roam the rolling grasslands alongside elk, pronghorn, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and bighorn sheep. A scenic 19-mile driving tour offers outstanding viewing opportunities, particularly in spring when calves are born and in fall during the dramatic rutting season.
Glacier National Park, The park's diverse habitats support an impressive roster of wildlife. Mountain goats are frequently spotted along the Highline Trail and at Logan Pass. Grizzly bears inhabit the Many Glacier valley and the backcountry. Moose browse in wetlands along the park's western edges. Keep your eyes skyward for golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and harlequin ducks in the park's crystal-clear streams.
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, This million-acre refuge along the Missouri River breaks is one of the largest and most remote wildlife refuges in the Lower 48. Elk, mule deer, pronghorn, sage grouse, and prairie dogs thrive here. It's also one of the best places in Montana to see the landscape as Lewis and Clark encountered it, vast, wild, and essentially unchanged.
Safety first: Always maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other large animals. Carry bear spray when hiking and know how to use it. Never approach, feed, or attempt to photograph wildlife at close range.
Guided Safari Experiences
Several outfitters offer guided wildlife safari tours with expert naturalist guides who know the animals' habits, territories, and daily routines. Tours typically depart before dawn and include high-quality spotting scopes, binoculars, and field guides. Yellowstone safari companies based in Gardiner and West Yellowstone offer half-day, full-day, and multi-day excursions. Private tours can be customized to focus on specific species like wolves or bears.