If you’re a fan of the hit show Yellowstone, you might be interested to learn all about the popular Yellowstone filming locations, some of which are right here in beautiful Missoula! There are almost 20 Yellowstone filming locations, most in Montana, with the remainder in neighboring Utah and Texas.

Even if you aren’t into the show or looking to capture some magic at these beautiful Yellowstone filming locations, odds are you’ve heard the tragic news coming out of Yellowstone National Park this summer. The damage from this year’s floods has truly been devastating and has thrown a wrench into the travel plans of many families around the country.

If you still want to get out and explore this summer, we’re here to share just as many incredible and breathtaking treasures to the north of Yellowstone National Park. A trip to Missoula and the surrounding Bitterroot Valley is an excellent alternative for all of you who planned a trip to Yellowstone National Park this year.

While making plans and exploring the many different Yellowstone filming locations or looking for somewhere new to travel, make sure to give yourself a break, too. There’s no better place to stay in Montana than our beautiful Missoula Bed and Breakfast. We’re located just a few minutes outside town, surrounded by the stunning natural beauty you expect from a Montana getaway. We’re here to make your summer a memorable one. Book your room at our Missoula Montana Bed and Breakfast today!

Check Out Yellowstone Filming Locations in Montana

Paramount Network’s popular show Yellowstone has created a tourism boom in Montana, and it’s something we’re excited about. Not only is the show, starring Kevin Costner, absolutely fantastic, but some of the Yellowstone filming locations are right here in the Missoula area. When you’re a fan of a show like Yellowstone, it’s fun to get a first-hand glimpse at the landscapes and backgrounds that brought the show to life.

When in town, much of the filming for the show took place at the Missoula Education Foundation Building, but there are several additional Yellowstone filming locations around the city. If you’re interested in checking out some of the Yellowstone filming locations around the state of Montana, we have a great roundup of nearby places below.

1. Ruby’s Diner has long been a Missoula staple for anyone looking for a delicious plate of comfort food, but lately, it’s become more than that. Ruby’s is one of many Yellowstone filming locations in the Missoula area and is the location of one of the most intense scenes in the show.
2. Even if you’ve only skimmed the show at this point, you’ve likely seen the famed Dutton Ranch in the show. This ranch, which is actually the Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, is another of the most significant Yellowstone filming locations in the Missoula area. There are also other Yellowstone filming locations in the small town of Darby, which is just about 60 miles to the south of Missoula. There have been plenty of other films and tv shows shot here, too.
3. The Community Medical Center in Missoula also makes a cameo in the show as the Bozeman General Hospital.
4. If you remember the show’s anti-industrial animal farming protest, you’ll be pleased to know that scene was shot at the intersection of Railroad and Woody, right here in Missoula.
5. The beautiful Missoula County Courthouse also served as one of the Yellowstone filming locations. Both the interior and exterior spaces were featured during Summer’s trial in the season finale.
6. The majestic Bitterroot valley as a whole served as one of the more prominent Yellowstone filming locations in Montana.

If you’re interested in exploring more of Big Sky country and seeing even more Yellowstone filming locations, you’ll want to head to the Crow Indian Reservation in southern Montana, Helena, Bozeman, and Livingston.

The Real Bitterroot Valley Behind Yellowstone

When most people think of Yellowstone filming locations, they picture the Dutton Ranch surrounded by rugged mountains and wide-open Montana scenery. What many fans don’t realize is that some of the show’s most recognizable locations are right here in western Montana. The Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula is home to the real Dutton Ranch, along with several other places that appeared throughout the series.

Although the first three seasons were filmed largely in Utah, production shifted its primary base to Montana beginning with Season 4. From the Chief Joseph Ranch near Darby to locations in Hamilton, Florence, and Missoula, western Montana became an important part of the world viewers saw on screen.

The Dutton Ranch is the Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana

The most recognizable Yellowstone filming location is the Dutton Ranch, and it is not a purpose-built television set. The real property is the Chief Joseph Ranch, located about a mile south of Darby in the Bitterroot Valley.

William Ford and Howard Clark Hollister purchased the 2,500-acre property in 1914, and Ford spent the next three years building the impressive lodge that viewers now recognize as the Dutton family home. Today, the property remains a working ranch and guest ranch in addition to its place in Yellowstone history.

The lodge, barns, cabins, surrounding fields, and dramatic mountain backdrop all helped create the fictional Yellowstone Dutton Ranch seen throughout the series.

Chief Joseph Ranch is private property, so visitors cannot simply drive through the gates or take a public tour. Fans are welcome to stop near the entrance and photograph the Dutton Ranch sign as long as they remain outside the property and do not block the driveway.

Even without entering the ranch, the surrounding Bitterroot Valley is well worth exploring. The drive through Darby and the landscape stretching south toward Sula give you a close look at the same mountains, ranch country, and rural scenery that became so closely associated with the show.

Darby and Hamilton: The Real Small-Town Settings

Chief Joseph Ranch is only one of the Yellowstone filming locations in the Bitterroot Valley. Darby, Hamilton, Florence, Corvallis, and other communities appeared throughout the series as production expanded its Montana footprint. These are real western Montana towns rather than constructed backlots, making a self-guided filming-location trip an easy addition to a stay in Missoula.

Darby: Gateway to Filming Locations

Darby is a small Bitterroot Valley community surrounded by some of the most recognizable scenery associated with Yellowstone. Its proximity to Chief Joseph Ranch makes it a natural starting point for fans exploring the southern valley.

Key Yellowstone filming locations in and near Darby include:

1. Chief Joseph Ranch: The real-life property used as the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch sits just south of town. Visitors can photograph the famous ranch sign from outside the private entrance.
2. The Train Station near Sula: One of the show’s darkest recurring locations is actually farther south near Sula. The fictional “Train Station,” portrayed as a remote location beyond the Wyoming border, was filmed at a highway turnout along U.S. Highway 93 near Sula Peak Road.
3. The surrounding Bitterroot landscape: The roads, ranchland, mountain views, and open spaces around Darby helped establish the rural Montana setting seen throughout the series.

Hamilton: The Bitterroot Valley’s Largest Town

Hamilton is the largest community in the Bitterroot Valley and served as another important filming area for Yellowstone. Located about an hour south of Missoula, it combines recognizable filming locations with restaurants, shops, historic attractions, and an easy-to-explore downtown.

Key Yellowstone filming locations in Hamilton include:

1. Montana Livestock Association Building: A building around 163 S. Second Street was used for Season 4 scenes involving Kayce Dutton and the Montana Livestock Association.
2. The Daly Mansion: This historic Hamilton estate served as the governor’s residence in Yellowstone. Outside of its television role, the Daly Mansion is a historic attraction where visitors can learn about Marcus Daly and the development of the Bitterroot Valley.
3. Meridian Road and Bear Creek Road: The dramatic car chase in the Season 4 premiere was filmed near the intersection of these roads north of Hamilton.
4. Downtown Hamilton: Streets and buildings around town also helped give the series its recognizable small-town western Montana setting.

Florence: Stop at Glen’s Cafe

Fans looking for another easy Yellowstone stop should add Florence to the drive. Glen’s Cafe appeared in the series during a scene involving John Dutton and Garrett Randall. John notably orders the Salisbury steak, a connection the restaurant has since embraced. Because Florence lies between Missoula and Hamilton, it is an easy stop when driving south through the Bitterroot Valley.

Downtown Missoula: Where Government and Justice Happen

While the Bitterroot Valley provided much of the ranch country and small-town scenery associated with Yellowstone, downtown Missoula was used for many of the show’s government, legal, corporate, and hospital scenes.

Key Yellowstone filming locations in Missoula include:

1. Missoula County Courthouse: The historic courthouse was used for Summer Higgins’ trial and later appeared during John Dutton’s gubernatorial swearing-in. Both interior and exterior areas of the courthouse appeared in the series.
2. Garlington Building: Located at 350 Ryman Street across from the courthouse, this building doubled as Jamie Dutton’s Attorney General office and the Market Equities offices.
3. Community Medical Center: The hospital appeared as the fictional Bozeman medical center where John Dutton recovers after being shot. An exterior bench was also used for the scene where Beth first meets Carter. Because this remains an operating medical facility, visitors should view it respectfully and avoid entering solely for sightseeing.
4. Railroad and Woody Streets: This downtown intersection was used as the fictional Livestock Association’s Livingston field office during a Season 4 protest scene involving Summer Higgins.

Missoula makes a particularly convenient base for a Yellowstone-inspired trip because you can see several filming locations around the city one day and head south into the Bitterroot Valley the next.

Experience the Bitterroot Valley Yourself

One of the best parts of visiting these Yellowstone filming locations is that many of the public places seen on screen are still easy to explore.

A self-guided trip can include:

1. Drive through Darby and stop near the Chief Joseph Ranch entrance to photograph the Dutton Ranch sign without entering private property.
2. Continue toward Sula to see the highway area used for the fictional Train Station.
3. Explore Hamilton and see the Montana Livestock Association location and the Daly Mansion.
4. Stop at Glen’s Cafe in Florence, where John Dutton’s Salisbury steak scene was filmed.
5. Walk through downtown Missoula to see the Missoula County Courthouse, Garlington Building, and Railroad and Woody Street filming locations.
6. Take a scenic drive through the Bitterroot Valley and enjoy the mountains, ranchland, and river scenery that helped give the series its Montana identity.

Pro Tip: Fall can be a beautiful time for a Yellowstone-inspired drive through the Bitterroot Valley. Cooler temperatures and changing foliage bring additional color to the mountain scenery. Summer is another excellent option if you prefer longer daylight hours and want to combine filming locations with hiking and other outdoor activities.

Stay in Missoula and Explore the Bitterroot Valley

If you’re planning a Yellowstone-themed trip, our Montana Bed and Breakfast is particularly well located for exploring both Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley. Our inn sits south of Missoula between the city and Lolo, putting guests on the right side of town for day trips toward Florence, Hamilton, Darby, and Sula while keeping downtown Missoula within easy reach.

Book your stay at our Bed and Breakfast and use our mountain property as your home base for exploring the real Yellowstone filming locations of Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley. After a day on the road, return to comfortable guest rooms, views across the valley and surrounding mountains, and a homemade breakfast waiting the next morning.

Learn More About the Bitterroot Valley

The filming locations are only one reason to head south from Missoula. The Bitterroot Valley is filled with mountain scenery, hiking, small towns, historic attractions, scenic drives, and plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors. For more ideas, read our complete guide to the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.

More Things to do in Missoula This Summer

Though we think visiting these Yellowstone filming locations is a fantastic way to spend a summer, don’t miss your chance to experience all of the great things to do in Missoula while you’re here. The rugged natural beauty of this area lends itself to summertime exploration. Though Missoula is a true outdoor lover’s paradise, there’s much more to this hip, trendy, and artsy city.

One of our favorite things to do in Missoula is to help our guests get out among the locals, enjoy local festivals and markets, or check out the arts and culture scene. There are not many more long summer days left, so come out and get the last taste of this magical season in Missoula. Below, you’ll find a few of our favorite things to do in Missoula, aside from drooling over the majestic beauty of those Yellowstone filming locations.

1. Be sure to check out the River City Roots Festival that takes place this August in the heart of downtown Missoula.
2. One of our favorite things to do in Missoula during the summer is to visit the local markets. The Clark Fork River Market and The Missoula Farmers Market are open all summer.
3. Take a hike! It’s one of the top-rated things to do in Missoula, and Mount Sentinel is the closest hike to town. Still, other popular Missoula hiking trails include the Kim Williams Trail, trails in the Rattlesnake Wilderness, and even more in the Pattee Canyon National Recreation Area.
4. Missoula is a wonderful bike-friendly city, with great biking trails like The Bitterroot Trail and the Kim Williams Trail.
5. Go fly fishing in Missoula’s crystal clear streams – they are home to some of the best trout fishing in the country. Need gear or a guide? Blackfoot River Outfitters, Missoula On The Fly, and Grizzly Hackle all offer what you’ll need.
6. One of the more remarkable things to do in Missoula this summer is to watch the surfers at Brennan’s Wave downtown on the Clark Fork River. On summer evenings, you can come down to check out kayakers, surfers, and paddleboarders trying out new tricks on the wave.
7. Head to the Hip Strip for some unique boutique shopping, art galleries, and outstanding eateries.
8. Need a way to cool off in the afternoon? One of our favorite things to do in Missoula is to visit local craft breweries. Popular choices include Big Sky Brewing Co., Bayern Brewing, Kettlehouse Brewing, Conflux Brewing, and many more.

When the day is done, there’s no doubt you’ll be tired and ready to put your feet up and relax. There’s no better place to do that than our Missoula Bed and Breakfast. We’re located just far enough outside of town for you to feel like you’ve escaped the crowds but close enough for you to make the most of your time in this fantastic city. If you’re ready for a Yellowstone-themed getaway, book your room at our Missoula Bed and Breakfast today!