Yellowstone filming in the Bitterroot Valley / Paramount Network
Most of the wildly popular Yellowstone TV series was filmed in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley.
It’s where the famed “Dutton Ranch” is located — which is really the Chief Joseph Ranch.
This article reviews Yellowstone’s primary filming locations, and shares some insight into the Bitterroot Valley.
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Everyone Asks the Same Question – Where Was Yellowstone Filmed?
A few years ago you would have been crazy to think the Bitterroot Valley would hit the big time on TV.
But, that’s exactly what happened in 2017.
An episode of Yellowstone was filmed in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, and the rest is history.
The Dutton Ranch / Paramount Network
Over the years, we became the primary filming location of the popular series.
Yellowstone’s production dramatically reshaped the local economy, and the show’s success brought more attention to the Bitterroot Valley than ever before.
So the next time you hear the question “where was Yellowstone filmed”, you know the answer — in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.
Yellowstone Filming Began in Montana & Utah
From 2017 to mid 2020, Yellowstone’s filming and production took place in multiple locations throughout Montana and Utah.
Crews and talent were traveling back and forth from state to state throughout filming.
Around here, we all watched in awe whenever “Yellowstone came to town”.
Let’s just say they didn’t pack light.
Filming Yellowstone in the Bitterroot Valley / Paramount Network
Yellowstone filming would go for a few days, or weeks, or even months, and then they were off, headed back to Utah. Then back to Montana. Then back to Utah.
That all changed in 2021.
Since then, most of the production was in Montana, filming scenes in multiple locations throughout the Bitterroot Valley and the Treasure state.
Yellowstone Filming Locations
We’re not the experts on all the locations used for Yellowstone filming, but we do know of a bunch of places where Yellowstone was filmed.
There was quite a bit of production in Utah, including in Park City, Heber, Oakley, Ogden, Logan and Spanish Fork.
Production in Montana included many locations throughout the Bitterroot Valley, mostly around Darby and Hamilton.
Filming and studio work was also performed in downtown Missoula, MT, which is just an hour north of Darby.
| SEASON | YEARS | YELLOWSTONE FILMING LOCATIONS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ‒ 3 | 2017 ‒ 2020 | Utah Film Studios ‒ Park City, Utah |
| 1 ‒ 3 | 2017 ‒ 2020 | Oakley, Heber City, and Logan, Utah |
| 1 ‒ 3 | 2017 ‒ 2020 | Spanish Fork Fairgrounds ‒ Spanish Fork, Utah |
| 1 ‒ 3 | 2017 ‒ 2020 | 25th Street, The Outlaw Saloon ‒ Ogden, Utah |
| 1 ‒ 5 | 2017 ‒ 2024 | Chief Joseph Ranch ‒ Darby, Montana |
| 1 ‒ 5 | 2017 ‒ 2024 | Bitterroot Valley, Montana |
| 1 ‒ 5 | 2017 ‒ 2024 | Crow Indian Reservation, Montana |
| 4 ‒ 5 | 2020 ‒ 2022 | Missoula County Courthouse ‒ Missoula, Montana |
| 4 ‒ 5 | 2020 ‒ 2022 | Montana State Capitol ‒ Helena, Montana |
| 5 | 2021 ‒ 2022 | Four 6666’s Ranch ‒ Guthrie, Texas |
The series also filmed Montana scenes in Helena and Bozeman, and on the Crow Reservation in southern Montana near Billings.
Finally, towards the end of the series, some filming was performed on the Four Sixes ranch in Guthrie, Texas.
Sources report that the spinoff series, 1944, will also be filmed in the Bitterroot Valley, with the Chief Joseph Ranch continuing to serve as the primary filming location and home to John Dutton’s family.
Some say this new series will address the impact of World War II on the John Dutton family.
Chief Joseph Ranch – The Real Life Yellowstone Dutton Ranch
In real-life, the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch is actually the Chief Joseph Ranch located just south of Darby, MT.
Chief Joseph is a sprawling 2,500 acre working cattle ranch that also operates as a guest lodge when Yellowstone production is not in progress.
The ranch offers unique experiences for up to eight guests, including staying overnight in cabins featured on the show, and exploring the ranch on private tours.
2,500 acre Chief Joseph Ranch, the real life Yellowstone Dutton Ranch
Owned and operated by the Libel family, this historic property has roots back to when it was originally known as the Shelton Ranch in 1880.
Over the years, it’s had several transformations, becoming the Ford-Hollister Ranch in 1914 before finally being renamed the Chief Joseph Ranch.
Here’s a link to find out more about the ranch and the experiences they offer.
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Visiting the Bitterroot Valley to See the Dutton Ranch
Lots of Yellowstone fans head this way in hopes of seeing the real-life Yellowstone Ranch for themselves.
Unfortunately, it’s tough to see much of this working cattle ranch from Highway 93 where the entrance is located, and you can expect onsite security to prevent you from stopping to take pictures.
If you do plan to visit, the town of Darby is the closest community to the ranch, and we recommend you stop in and grab a meal when exploring where Yellowstone was filmed.
You’ll find an authentic western Montana town complete with a boardwalk, good burgers, cold beer, and friendly people.
If you need somewhere to stay nearby, check out our Darby Lodging article with some of our favorites in the area.
Chief Joseph Ranch Entrance / Bitterroot Info
While in the area, fans can also visit the historic Daly Mansion in Hamilton where scenes have been filmed.
The Montana State Capitol Building in Helena, and the Missoula County Courthouse have both been featured in the series.
If you have an interest in seeing these locations, Missoula is an hour drive from the ranch, and Helena is about 3 hours away.
The Crow Indian Reservation, depicted as the Broken Rock Reservation in the show, is also in Montana, but it’s a several hour drive from the Bitterroot Valley.
Yellowstone’s Impact on the Bitterroot Valley
As you can imagine, Yellowstone’s production has impacted the local communities and the economy of the Bitterroot Valley.
When hundreds of people, trucks, and equipment come rolling into small towns where just a few thousand people live, everything changes.
Many new opportunities were created for local residents and businesses to serve the needs of Yellowstone’s production efforts, and just about everyone knows someone who benefited as a result.
According to this article, the production of Season 4 of Yellowstone injected over $70 million into Montana’s economy, and over 500 permanent jobs were created.
Darby, MT / Bitterroot Info
But lodging was harder to find for tourists and those needing short term housing, and there was far more traffic and activity in our quiet little towns when Yellowstone production was in progress.
Yellowstone has also exposed the beauty of the Bitterroot Valley, which has attracted many new residents and has contributed to dramatically increased housing costs.
Some around here say Yellowstone’s impact has been mostly positive, while others definitely see it differently.
Good or bad, everyone agrees there has been quite an impact from Yellowstone’s filming in the Bitterroot Valley.
That’s a Good Question
Since 2020, the majority of Yellowstone’s content has been filmed in the spectacular Bitterroot Valley of Montana, near the town of Darby, MT.
The Dutton Ranch is actually the Chief Joseph Ranch, located near the town of Darby, MT.
Yes, you can stay at the Dutton Ranch, which is actually the Chief Joseph Ranch, when Yellowstone is not filming. The main lodge is not available for rent, but 2 cabins are. Booking information can be found here.
Additional Resources
Wikipedia has additional information about filming and production here
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