Bison in North Dakota in September
Yes, September is a good month to see bison in North Dakota. It is the 5th busiest month of the year, with 146 of the 1,303 sightings logged across the year (11.2%), 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.
Good month for bison in North Dakota
11.2%
of yearly sightings
146
records in September
#5
busiest month of 12
1,303
verified records a year
August 20%, September 11.2%, October 4.2%. 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, September carries 11.2% of the year's bison sightings, about 2.9 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 5th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from August (20%) into September, and it heads toward October (4.2%) after. The busiest month is June (20.6%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The bison most often recorded in North Dakota are American Bison, Bighorn Sheep and Domestic Cattle. Those counts are annual totals rather than a September split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in September 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 September?+
Yes. September accounts for 146 of the 1,303 verified bison sightings logged in North Dakota across the year, which is 11.2% of the annual total.
Is September a good time to see bison in North Dakota?+
September is the 5th busiest month. It is workable, though June and July is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
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