Bison in North Dakota in July
Yes, July is one of the best months to see bison in North Dakota. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 265 of the 1,303 sightings logged across the year (20.3%), 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 North Dakota
20.3%
of yearly sightings
265
records in July
#2
busiest month of 12
1,303
verified records a year
June 20.6%, July 20.3%, August 20%. Busiest month is June at 20.6%.
1,303 verified observations of bison in North Dakota, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bison are recorded in North Dakota
Peak month
June
268 records (20.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15 | 1.2% |
| February | 4 | 0.3% |
| March | 23 | 1.8% |
| April | 38 | 2.9% |
| May | 166 | 12.7% |
| Junepeak | 268 | 20.6% |
| Julypeak | 265 | 20.3% |
| Augustpeak | 261 | 20% |
| September | 146 | 11.2% |
| October | 55 | 4.2% |
| November | 43 | 3.3% |
| December | 19 | 1.5% |
Bison you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Bison | 1,224 |
| Bighorn Sheep | 56 |
| Domestic Cattle | 14 |
| Domestic Goat | 1 |
In North Dakota, July carries 20.3% of the year's bison sightings, about 12 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 holds steady between June and July, and it heads toward August (20%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so July is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bison most often recorded in North Dakota are American Bison, Bighorn Sheep and Domestic Cattle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a July split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in July itself.
Which bison you are most likely to see
- American Bison1,224 records
- Bighorn Sheep56 records
- Domestic Cattle14 records
- Domestic Goat1 records
Plan your bison trip in North Dakota
Start with live tours near Knife River Indian Villages 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 Knife River Indian Villages 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 Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bison viewing area in North Dakota.
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Broader backupBook a bison tour in North Dakota
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 North Dakota in July?+
Yes. July accounts for 265 of the 1,303 verified bison sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 20.3% of the annual total.
Is July a good time to see bison in North Dakota?+
July is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, July and August.
What month is best for bison in North Dakota?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, July and August, based on 1,303 verified observations.
Which bison are you most likely to see in North Dakota?+
The most-recorded species in North Dakota are American Bison, Bighorn Sheep and Domestic Cattle, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bison in North Dakota in other months
More places to see bison
More wildlife in North Dakota