On the range, in refuges and national parks, America’s wild bison are magnificent to observe. Here are five places where you and your family members can revel in wide-open spaces and perhaps snap a shot of one — with a zoom lens.
Yellowstone National Park, Montana, Wyoming and Idaho: America’s first national park is the only place in the U.S. where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times. Home to approximately 3,500 bison, many are the descendants of the few who survived near- extinction.
The Bison Range, Mission Valley, Montana: Established in 1908, this historic range in the center of the Flathead Indian Reservation sprawls across 18,000 acres and is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the nation. In addition to herds of bison, the range supports populations of Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn and bighorn sheep.
Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, Jackson Hole, Wyoming: This family- owned and operated organization provides year-round wildlife viewing and natural history interpretation to those interested in a close-up view of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s wild creatures in their natural habitat.
Custer State Park, South Dakota: Weather permitting, you can snag top notch views of wildlife via the 18-mile Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway. Possible sightings include elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and the resident bison.
Terry Bison Ranch, Cheyenne, Wyoming: This ranch offers bison viewing year-round on a 27,000-acre spread. Home to nearly 3,000 bison, the ranch also has train rides, horseback riding and a trading post.