Bison in Colorado in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see bison in Colorado. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,040 of the 6,179 sightings logged across the year (16.8%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for bison in Colorado
16.8%
of yearly sightings
1,040
records in August
#2
busiest month of 12
6,179
verified records a year
July 21.4%, August 16.8%, September 8.9%. Busiest month is July at 21.4%.
6,179 verified observations of bison in Colorado, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bison are recorded in Colorado
Peak month
July
1,322 records (21.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 138 | 2.2% |
| February | 168 | 2.7% |
| March | 291 | 4.7% |
| April | 421 | 6.8% |
| May | 463 | 7.5% |
| Junepeak | 901 | 14.6% |
| Julypeak | 1,322 | 21.4% |
| Augustpeak | 1,040 | 16.8% |
| September | 548 | 8.9% |
| October | 447 | 7.2% |
| November | 269 | 4.4% |
| December | 171 | 2.8% |
Bison you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bighorn Sheep | 4,319 |
| Mountain Goat | 1,423 |
| American Bison | 282 |
| Domestic Sheep | 70 |
| Domestic Cattle | 53 |
| Domestic Goat | 7 |
In Colorado, August carries 16.8% of the year's bison sightings, about 8.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from July (21.4%) into August, and it heads toward September (8.9%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so August is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bison most often recorded in Colorado are Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat and American Bison. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which bison you are most likely to see
- Bighorn Sheep4,319 records
- Mountain Goat1,423 records
- American Bison282 records
- Domestic Sheep70 records
- Domestic Cattle53 records
- Domestic Goat7 records
Plan your bison trip in Colorado
Start with live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bison viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
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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
Can you see bison in Colorado in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 1,040 of the 6,179 verified bison sightings logged in Colorado across the year, which is 16.8% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bison in Colorado?+
August is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of July, August and June.
What month is best for bison in Colorado?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 6,179 verified observations.
Which bison are you most likely to see in Colorado?+
The most-recorded species in Colorado are Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat and American Bison, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bison in Colorado in other months
More places to see bison
More wildlife in Colorado