Best Time to See Bison in the US
July, June and August is the best time to see bison in the United States. This is a national picture built from 59,854 verified iNaturalist observations across 50 states, showing when and where bison are most active.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself.
59,854 verified observations of bison in the US, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bison are recorded in the US
Peak month
July
9,644 records (16.1% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2,291 | 3.8% |
| February | 2,665 | 4.5% |
| March | 3,701 | 6.2% |
| April | 4,370 | 7.3% |
| May | 6,416 | 10.7% |
| Junepeak | 8,667 | 14.5% |
| Julypeak | 9,644 | 16.1% |
| Augustpeak | 7,800 | 13% |
| September | 5,729 | 9.6% |
| October | 3,642 | 6.1% |
| November | 2,685 | 4.5% |
| December | 2,244 | 3.7% |
Bison you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bighorn Sheep | 23,253 |
| American Bison | 21,106 |
| Mountain Goat | 7,038 |
| Aoudad | 1,420 |
| Thinhorn Sheep | 1,372 |
| Domestic Cattle | 1,251 |
| Domestic Goat | 1,013 |
| Nilgai | 795 |
Across the country, bison sightings peak in July, when 9,644 of the 59,854 annual observations are logged, about 16.1% of the national total. Nationwide activity stays high through July, June and August.
The best states to see bison by recorded sightings are Wyoming (12,289), California (6,342), Colorado (6,179), South Dakota (5,441) and Montana (4,514). Each state page below breaks the year down month by month for that state.
The bison you are most likely to encounter nationwide are Bighorn Sheep, American Bison and Mountain Goat, the most-recorded species across all states combined.
Best states to see bison
- bison in Wyoming12,289 sightings, peak July
- bison in California6,342 sightings, peak March
- bison in Colorado6,179 sightings, peak July
- bison in South Dakota5,441 sightings, peak July
- bison in Montana4,514 sightings, peak July
- bison in Utah4,475 sightings, peak April
- bison in Texas3,741 sightings, peak April
- bison in Alaska2,893 sightings, peak June
- bison in Nevada2,733 sightings, peak April
- bison in Washington2,047 sightings, peak August
- bison in Arizona1,919 sightings, peak June
- bison in New Mexico1,507 sightings, peak June
- bison in Oklahoma1,328 sightings, peak April
- bison in North Dakota1,303 sightings, peak June
- bison in Hawaii1,017 sightings, peak May
Most-recorded bison species nationwide
- Bighorn Sheep23,253 records
- American Bison21,106 records
- Mountain Goat7,038 records
- Aoudad1,420 records
- Thinhorn Sheep1,372 records
- Domestic Cattle1,251 records
Plan your bison trip in Wyoming
Start with live tours near Wyoming, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Wyoming
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bison viewing area.
Booking.com
Stay nearbyStay near Wyoming
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bison viewing area in Wyoming.
Viator
Broader backupBook a bison tour in Wyoming
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see bison in the US?+
July is the single best month nationwide, with the broader peak running through July, June and August, based on 59,854 verified observations across 50 states.
Which states are best for seeing bison?+
By recorded sightings, the top states are Wyoming, California and Colorado. Wyoming leads with 12,289 verified observations.
How many bison sightings are recorded in the US each year?+
About 59,854 verified bison observations are logged on iNaturalist across 50 states with enough data to chart a seasonal pattern.
What kinds of bison live in the US?+
The most-recorded species nationwide are Bighorn Sheep, American Bison and Mountain Goat, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.