Recently updated on November 13th, 2024 at 12:04 pm
Popular American TV series “Yellowstone” has captured a loyal audience with its intense drama, complex characters, and stunning cinematography. Now into its fifth season, the show is set in the state of Montana and follow the conflicts of the Dutton family, who run the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States.
Beyond the drama that unfolds on screen, are the real-life Yellowstone filming locations and breathtaking scenery which make the show come to life. We’re diving behind-the-curtain to find out where Yellowstone was actually filmed, and we’ll share the locations so you can visit stunning vistas, historic landmarks, and quaint towns featured on screen.
From the vast expanses of Yellowstone National Park to the picturesque towns dotting the Montana countryside, here is where fans can live a real-life Yellowstone moment under brilliant blue skies where mountains loom above oat-colored fields. Here’s everything you need to know about the Yellowstone filming location – the real-life ranches, reservations, and all.
What is Yellowstone?
Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, Yellowstone is a popular Paramount Network TV show that premiered in 2018. Since then the past five seasons has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with its gripping storytelling and breathtaking scenery.
This fanbase is hooked on the fictional lives on the Dutton family and their ranch. Filled with serious drama, complicated characters, and brilliant scenery, the beautifully shot show is loaded with conflict. We don’t want to give it all away, so you’ll have to watch the series to see how the family clashes with land developers, Native American tribes, and government officials.
This neo-Western drama has a brilliant cast with Kevin Costner as patriarch John Dutton, and actors Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly and Wes Bentley as part of the Dutton family. Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Gil Birmingham, and Mo Brings round out the cast.
Where was Yellowstone filmed?
While the show is based in the part of Montana which borders Yellowstone National Park, much of the filming for the first three seasons took place a bit further south, in Utah. Here a few of those locations.
Yellowstone’s Utah filming locations:
Ogden
Many of Yellowstone’s iconic scenes were filmed in Ogden, a ski town in winter and haven for mountain biking and hiking in summer. If you wander down 25th Street you’ll find blocks of restaurants, cafés, galleries and shops that were used in the show. Look out for the exterior of the show’s Schwartz & Meyer bank building at 2505 Lincoln Avenue, and for the full “Yellowstone” experience, enjoy a drink at The Outlaw Saloon and sit in the stands for the Odgen Pioneer Stadium rodeo.
Spanish Fork
About an hour south of Ogden, in Spanish Fork, you’ll find the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, the setting for many of the thrilling rodeo scenes from Yellowstone. The fairgrounds, which also host the annual Utah County Fair, capture the grit and authenticity of the cowboy lifestyle that the show portrays so well.
Park City
In Park City, you can visit the luxurious lodge of Dan Jenkins, which is actually located at the Nicklaus Clubhouse at Promontory Point. This stunning location doubles as Jenkins’ upscale house in the series, showcasing the kind of wealth and power often at odds with the Dutton family’s ranching lifestyle.
Utah Backdrops
Many of the landscapes in seasons 1-3 you’ll recognise with a visit to places across Utah like Heber City, Oakley, Kamas Grantsville, Logan, and more. The picturesque farmlands, wide-open plains, rugged wilderness and rolling hills of these locations were used for many of the show’s scenes, making the show as visually beautiful as it is compelling.
Yellowstone’s Montana filming locations:
Though the show is set in Montana, the series wasn’t filmed much here – apart from scenes at the Dutton ranch and Indian reservation. However, in seasons four and five production fully shifted from Utah to Montana, bringing the filming fully to where the story takes place. Here are a few of those locations.
Chief Joseph Ranch
The iconic Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, as seen in the series, was mainly shot at Chief Joseph Ranch, a historic family-owned working guest ranch in the foothills of Bitterroot Valley, with the majestic Trapper Peak in the background.
For centuries, the land was home to the Salish Native American tribe, with a trail that once served as a path for both Lewis and Clark and the Nez Percé tribe, running through the property. In the late 1800s, Chief Joseph himself crossed this land. In 1917, William Ford and Howard Clark Hollister began constructing the 6,000-square-foot lodge that stands today. Originally known as the Ford-Hollister Lodge, it was renamed Chief Joseph Ranch in the early 1950s.
Missoula
Next is Missoula, where Ryman Street and Ruby’s Café were the setting for an intense shoot-out scene. A key moment in the series, where Beth Dutton meets Carter outside a hospital, was filmed at the Missoula Community Medical Center. This same location also served as the hospital where John Dutton recovered after being shot in the dramatic finale of season three.
Other scenes were also shot in Missoula, such as the Missoula County Courthouse and nearby Garlington Building. Half an hour south of Missoula is Glen’s Café, where John Dutton ordered a Salisbury steak. And 19 miles north of Missoula, you’ll find the Gray Wolf Peak Casino at the southern end of Flathead Indian Reservation.
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Hamilton
An hour south of Missoula is Hamilton, where a deadly car chase scene was filmed on Meridian Road and Bear Creek Road. Additionally, Hamilton is home to the governor’s residence, situated at the Daly Mansion. This impressive Victorian home, built in the late 1800s, spans 24,000 square feet and now serves as a museum and wedding venue. The Daly Mansion is open to the public, allowing visitors to explore its rich history and stunning architecture through guided tours. You’ll also find here the show’s Montana Livestock Association building, which can be found at 163 S. 2nd Street in the heart of downtown.
Helena
The governor’s office in Yellowstone was filmed at the real-life Montana State Capitol in Helena. Enjoy some video and virtual tours of the Capitol building, or experience it in person during the summer with guided tours ran by the building. In the first season of the series, the governor’s office is portrayed within the actual state capital; however, in season five, John Dutton’s swearing-in ceremony takes place at the Missoula County Courthouse. This scene features tight shots that cleverly obscure the fact that it isn’t the true state capital.
Crow Reservation
Situated in southern Montana, just 10 miles outside of Billings, is the fictional Broken Rock Reservation, home to Thomas Rainwater. This was filmed in a real reservation: The Crow Reservation. As the largest reservation in Montana, it makes up over two million acres of stunning landscapes and sprawling wilderness.
Texas film locations:
Texas entered the script in season four, when darling farm hand Jimmy was relocated to the 6666 Ranch (Four Sixes Ranch). It’s a real-life ranch of the same name, located near Guthrie and founded in 1870. It’s one of the USA’s most famous ranches, known for being the place where young men would come to learn to become cowboys, or be broken.
On top of that, a small town café in Texas called Mary’s Brazos Cafe was also used in season four. You can visit it for a coffee and chat with Mary in Parker County, north Texas.
Where is the Dutton Ranch located?
The Dutton family ranch is located in Montana, but it has a different name. Called the Chief Joseph Ranch, a real family lives and works from this 5,000-square-foot log house each day. It’s located in the town of Darby in southwest Montana.
Apparently the ranch had never been used in a film or TV show before, and the production team cold-called the family to request to use their home as one of the Yellowstone filming locations. The massive house, built in 1914, is so unique that it became another character in the show!
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Can you stay at the Dutton Ranch in real life?
Normally, you can sleep in a cabin on the property – so long as the show isn’t filming – for at least three nights. Chief Joseph Ranch is open to the public, and two cabins are available for rent that can sleep up from 4 to 8 people each.
However, this depends on availability – sometimes the ranch closes to the public, so you’re best to check its website.
If you dream of staying within the beautiful home, you’re fresh out of luck. The owners have been living in the main residence since they bought the property in 2012. While you can’t stay inside, they will take you on a tour of the ranch and Yellowstone sets.
When you’re not fantasizing about Kevin Costner knocking on the cabin door you can explore the property by horseback, go fishing, or hike the beautiful mountain trails.
Yellowstone fans that don’t want to stay can take a photo of the Dutton Ranch sign on the gate outside of production times.
Is Broken Rock Indian Reservation a real place?
Like the Dutton family ranch, the Broken Rock Indian Reservation is a made-up place. However, filming for the reserve took place on the very real Crow Indian Reservation, which is located just outside of Billings, Montana. The film crew had to get special permission to film at this two million-acre reservation from the Crow Nation tribal chairman, Alvin “A.J.” Not Afraid Jr.
The chairman was skeptical at first as Native Americans are often portrayed in Western film as untrue stereotypes, such as cliché cowboys vs Indians scenes. The show made an effort to portray authentic life on a reservation for the series.
If you want to visit both the ranch and the reservation, there’s a seven-hour drive ahead!
How many states was Yellowstone filmed in?
Utah, Montana and Texas – the Yellowstone series was filmed three states.
Is Yellowstone filmed in Canada?
While the state of Montana borders Canada in the north, the series was filmed entirely in the United States.
That’s our complete list of Yellowstone filming locations. Would you visit these places after seeing the show? Let us know in the comments…