Bison in Montana in August
Yes, August is one of the best months to see bison in Montana. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 1,105 of the 4,514 sightings logged across the year (24.5%), 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 July 2, 2026.
Peak month for bison in Montana
24.5%
of yearly sightings
1,105
records in August
#2
busiest month of 12
4,514
verified records a year
July 33.7%, August 24.5%, September 10.3%. Busiest month is July at 33.7%.
4,514 verified observations of bison in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bison are recorded in Montana
Peak month
July
1,523 records (33.7% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 75 | 1.7% |
| February | 57 | 1.3% |
| March | 87 | 1.9% |
| April | 116 | 2.6% |
| May | 265 | 5.9% |
| Junepeak | 614 | 13.6% |
| Julypeak | 1,523 | 33.7% |
| Augustpeak | 1,105 | 24.5% |
| September | 464 | 10.3% |
| October | 106 | 2.3% |
| November | 54 | 1.2% |
| December | 48 | 1.1% |
Bison you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bighorn Sheep | 2,008 |
| Mountain Goat | 1,818 |
| American Bison | 649 |
| Domestic Cattle | 21 |
| Domestic Goat | 1 |
In Montana, August carries 24.5% of the year's bison sightings, about 16.2 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 (33.7%) into August, and it heads toward September (10.3%) 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 Montana 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 Sheep2,008 records
- Mountain Goat1,818 records
- American Bison649 records
- Domestic Cattle21 records
- Domestic Goat1 records
Plan your bison trip in Montana
Start with live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield
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 Big Hole National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bison viewing area in Montana.
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Broader backupBook a bison tour in Montana
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 Montana in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 1,105 of the 4,514 verified bison sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 24.5% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see bison in Montana?+
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 Montana?+
July is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through July, August and June, based on 4,514 verified observations.
Which bison are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat and American Bison, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bison in Montana in other months
More places to see bison
More wildlife in Montana