Best Time to See Bison in Montana
June, July and August is the best time to see bison in Montana. Based on 664 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bison are most active across the year in Montana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.
American Bison · Karen Szafrajda CC BY
American Bison · Public domain CC0
American Bison · Jens-Christian Svenning CC BY
664 verified observations of bison in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bison are recorded in Montana
Peak month
June
126 records (19% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 3% |
| February | 21 | 3.2% |
| March | 26 | 3.9% |
| April | 46 | 6.9% |
| May | 90 | 13.6% |
| Junepeak | 126 | 19% |
| Julypeak | 107 | 16.1% |
| Augustpeak | 97 | 14.6% |
| September | 89 | 13.4% |
| October | 32 | 4.8% |
| November | 3 | 0.5% |
| December | 7 | 1.1% |
Bison you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Bison | 664 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bison are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bison sit around 47 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 17°F | 1" |
| Feb | 22°F | 9°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 33°F | 18°F | 1.1" |
| Apr | 40°F | 24°F | 2.3" |
| May | 53°F | 36°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Julbest time | 75°F | 55°F | 2" |
| Augbest time | 74°F | 54°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 65°F | 46°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 46°F | 31°F | 2" |
| Nov | 36°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 30°F | 18°F | 1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Montana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on bison in Montana:
Sightings of bison in Montana peak in June, when 126 of the year's 664 verified observations are logged — about 19% of the annual total. Activity stays high through June, July and August.
The quietest stretch is November, when bison are hardest to find — November sees just 3 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The bison you are most likely to encounter in Montana are American Bison — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see bison in Montana
- Big Hole National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see bison in Montana?+
June is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through June, July and August, based on 664 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are bison hardest to see in Montana?+
November is the quietest month for bison in Montana, with only 3 verified records.
Are bison active year-round in Montana?+
Bison are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Montana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in June.
More places to see bison
More wildlife in Montana