Nothing captures the spirit of the wild west better than the sight of bison roaming the plains. And there’s no better place to count on seeing bison than Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley. This area is home to the purest bloodline of bison, or buffalo, dating back to prehistoric times. Finding them is as easy as driving through the Lamar Valley, and looking around.
Location
The Lamar Valley is located on the northeast side of Yellowstone National Park, between the Tower-Roosevelt junction and the northeast park entrance.
My Visit
In the summertime, you can count on traffic jams on the roads of Yellowstone National Park. But sometimes, they aren’t caused by slow-moving RV’s.
Lamar Valley
This is a pretty common sight in Yellowstone, especially when you’re driving through the Lamar Valley. This section of the park, on the northeast side, is home to Yellowstone’s northern herd of bison (the other herd is in Hayden Valley, south of Canyon Village). You could spot a loner in the middle of the road at any time…
… but you’ll probably also come upon a large herd of bison, gathered in a wide-open field, rolling around in the dirt. During late July and August, the boys and girls mingle, as the bulls try to find mates. That’s part of the reason for the wallowing — to impress the ladies. They also fight with other bulls and make some bellowing sounds to express their dominance.
The best way to get up-close to bison is to stay in your car and wait for one to walk by. You do NOT want to approach them. You cannot outrun them, and it would be most unpleasant to be butted or trampled by one. If a bison raises its tail, that means it’s agitated and getting ready to attack. Back off.
Aside from the occasional appearance of a bison herd, and the unspoiled natural beauty throughout the Lamar Valley, there aren’t many attractions on the map in this area. The park road takes you through the Lamar Valley on the way to Tower Fall and Roosevelt Lodge — well-developed areas of the park. But out here, there are just a few turnouts and an occasional picnic table.
Drivelapse Video
Here’s a look at the drive through Lamar Valley:
The Bottom Line
If you want to see bison, there’s no better bet than a drive through the northeastern corner of Yellowstone, in the Lamar Valley. Keep a safe distance and enjoy these majestic creatures in their natural environment.
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