Yes, wild buffalo—American bison—still live in Wyoming, mainly in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and managed herds near Jackson.
Are There Buffalo in Wyoming? Visitor Expectations
Many travelers type “are there buffalo in wyoming?” into a search bar before they book flights or map out a road trip. The short answer is yes, and the longer story explains where to go, what you will see, and how to stay safe around these huge animals.
Locals often say buffalo, but the animals you watch along Wyoming roads and valleys are American bison. They weigh up to a ton, can sprint much faster than a person, and still roam wide, open country in the northwest corner of the state.
Buffalo Versus Bison: Same Animal, Different Name
True buffalo live in Africa and Asia, while bison are native to North America. Over time, visitors, hunters, and writers used the word buffalo for bison, and the nickname stuck. In parks and on official signs you will usually see the word bison, yet guides and residents still talk about buffalo herds.
Buffalo In Wyoming National Parks And Preserves
Wyoming holds some of the best public land in the United States for watching wild bison. The largest free roaming herds move through Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and the National Elk Refuge near Jackson.
Yellowstone Bison Herds
Yellowstone stretches across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and it protects one of the last large herds of free ranging bison in North America. Recent estimates from the Yellowstone bison ecology page describe a population that usually ranges between three and six thousand animals, with a pre calving count of about four and a half thousand in 2024.
Within the Wyoming part of the park, classic viewing areas include the Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, and the meadows around the Madison and Firehole rivers. Long, open valleys with grass, water, and space give bison room to feed, raise calves, and move with changing weather.
Grand Teton Herd Near The Teton Range
Just south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park holds its own bison herd in front of mountain peaks that rise straight out of the valley. Open sage flats around Mormon Row and Antelope Flats are well known spots to see bison grazing, as confirmed in the park’s Grand Teton wildlife viewing advice.
Jackson Herd And The National Elk Refuge
North of the town of Jackson, the National Elk Refuge provides winter range not only for elk but also for a large bison herd. The refuge hosts more than a thousand bison in many winters, making it one of the biggest single groups managed by a federal agency in the country.
| Area | Where To Look | What To Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone – Lamar Valley | Pullouts along the main road between Tower Junction and the northeast entrance. | Large herds on open grassland, frequent roadside crossings, and long views. |
| Yellowstone – Hayden Valley | River flats between Canyon Village and Yellowstone Lake. | Family groups, calves in late spring, and morning fog over the Yellowstone River. |
| Yellowstone – Madison And Firehole | Meadows along the Madison and Firehole rivers west of Old Faithful. | Smaller groups beside the road, plus steaming vents and hot springs in the distance. |
| Grand Teton – Antelope Flats | Sage flats near Mormon Row and the barns east of Highway 191. | Bison moving across wide plains with the Teton Range as a backdrop. |
| Grand Teton – Elk Ranch Flats | Turnouts north of Moran Junction along Highway 191. | Regular summer sightings of grazing herds near ponds and willow thickets. |
| National Elk Refuge | Pullouts along Refuge Road and guided winter tours. | Dense groups of elk with bison often visible on nearby ridges and meadows. |
| Wind River Reservation Programs | Permitted tours with tribal guides on designated buffalo pastures. | Smaller herds tied to restoration work and stories from local residents. |
Best Seasons And Times To See Buffalo In Wyoming
Bison stay in Wyoming year round, yet the feel of a sighting changes with each season. Your best window depends on whether you want newborn calves, dust clouds from a summer herd, or steam rising off shaggy coats in mid winter.
Spring: Calving Season And Quiet Roads
Late April and May bring fresh grass and young calves, often called red dogs because of their color. Herds spread across valley bottoms, traffic stays lighter than during the school holiday rush, and chilly mornings keep bison active near the roads at dawn.
Summer: Peak Herd Watching
June, July, and August draw the largest human crowds, and bison drift through every corner of accessible habitat. Warm temperatures push animals toward rivers and higher benches, yet they still cross roads without warning, which makes early and late drives helpful for both photos and slower traffic.
Fall: Rut, Frost, And Golden Grass
By late August and September, bulls start chasing cows and challenging one another. You may hear deep grunts, crashing horns, and the thud of hooves through dry grass while cool nights paint willows in shades of yellow and orange.
Winter: Steam, Snow, And Quiet Days
Winter visits deliver a different side of buffalo in Wyoming. Dark shapes stand out against snow, steam from rivers or hot springs wraps around their coats, and guided snow coaches or sleigh rides replace most personal vehicles inside Yellowstone.
Rules And Etiquette Around Buffalo In Wyoming
Searches for buffalo in Wyoming usually come from people who picture quiet herds in a meadow. On the ground, you share space with wild animals that can injure people when someone walks too close or blocks their path.
Required Distance And Park Rules
National Park Service guidance for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton tells visitors to stay at least twenty five yards, or about twenty three meters, from bison at all times. Park safety pages stress that bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal and can run three times faster than a person.
If a bison shows signs of agitation, such as pawing, snorting, or lifting its tail, you are already too close. Step back to your vehicle or a solid barrier, keep your line of retreat clear, and never try to stand your ground for a photo.
Driving Near Bison
Bison often walk straight down the center of a road or stand across both lanes. In a traffic jam, stay inside your vehicle, move slowly, and wait for the herd to break up instead of honking or edging your bumper toward an animal.
Photography Without Trouble
Telephoto lenses and binoculars let you frame close portraits while you remain at a safe distance. Tripods and long lenses work well from pullouts, picnic areas, or boardwalks, as long as you give bison a clear path to move and never surround an animal with cars or people.
| Situation | Safe Action | What To Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Bison Beside A Road | Stay in your car or stand near it at a pullout, watch quietly, and let the herd pass. | Parking in a traffic lane or walking onto the center line for photos. |
| Bison On A Trail Or Boardwalk | Back away, wait at a safe distance, or choose a different route. | Trying to push through the group or slipping between animals. |
| Bison Approaching Your Vehicle | Keep windows mostly up, stay still, and give the animal room to walk around you. | Revving the engine, honking, or pulling forward toward the animal. |
| Taking Photos Near A Herd | Use a long lens from at least twenty five yards away, preferably more. | Standing in the middle of a herd or turning your back on nearby animals. |
| Watching Bison With Children | Hold hands, keep kids beside you, and step back if animals move closer. | Letting children run ahead, shout, or throw objects near the herd. |
| Viewing From A Guided Tour | Follow directions from the guide or driver and ask questions about behavior. | Ignoring instructions or leaving the group to approach animals alone. |
| Hiking During Calving Season | Give cows with calves extra space and leave an area if they lower their heads or stare. | Walking between a cow and calf or trying to approach a newborn for pictures. |
Planning Your Buffalo Watching Trip To Wyoming
Most visitors link Yellowstone and Grand Teton in a single loop that starts and ends in Jackson, Bozeman, or Salt Lake City. This route brings multiple chances to see bison in different habitats, from steaming river bottoms to dry sage benches.
Give yourself time for slow drives, short picnic breaks, and surprise stops.
Building A Simple Itinerary
One common plan begins with a night in Jackson, a drive through Grand Teton, and an afternoon stop at the National Elk Refuge overlook. From there, you can head north toward Yellowstone and spend several days near Old Faithful, Canyon, or the northern entrance corridor.
What To Pack For Buffalo Country
Layered clothing fits mountain weather, where cold mornings can give way to warm afternoons and sudden storms. Field glasses, a camera with zoom, spare batteries, water, snacks, paper maps, and a small first aid kit help you stay out longer without rushing back to town.
Respecting Land, Wildlife, And Local Rules
Buffalo herds in Wyoming exist today because park staff, state biologists, tribal leaders, ranchers, and visitors follow long standing rules. Stay on marked roads and trails, obey closures, and book only permitted guides when you visit tribal buffalo herds or ranch based tours.
When friends ask you, are there buffalo in wyoming, you will be able to answer with confidence. The animals are there, in big numbers in some valleys, as long as every visitor treats them with care and gives them room to stay wild.