Unveiling Yellowstone's Enigmatic Filming Sites: Exploring 8 Captivating Locations in the Kevin Costner Show

Summary

The hit drama

Yellowstone

showcases the authentic cowboy lifestyle in Montana, with filming locations carefully chosen to capture the state's stunning landscapes and western culture.

Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana stands as the legendary Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, with the show also showcasing the Montana State Capitol building and the Crow Indian Reservation. Missoula, Hamilton, Ogden (Utah), Park City (Utah), and even Guthrie (Texas) have all served as filming locations.

Yellowstone

, each adding to the authenticity and unique character of the series.

The appeal of the popular drama Yellowstone lies in its depiction of the idyllic cowboy lifestyle, which is heavily influenced by the breathtaking landscapes and picturesque valleys of the western region. Montana, with its unique topography and ecosystem, serves as the perfect backdrop for the authentic imagery portrayed in the show. In order to capture the true essence of Montana, creator Taylor Sheridan chose to film the majority of Yellowstone in the actual locations where the story takes place.

Although there are a few minor substitutions in specific areas, Yellowstone's filming locations, including the interiors of buildings, truly embody the essence of the Western atmosphere. The commercialization of Montana plays a significant role in the show's plot, focusing on the central character, John Dutton portrayed by Kevin Costner, and his relentless efforts to preserve the pristine nature of the state. It is therefore fitting that eight different locations across Montana were chosen to represent a majority of the settings featured in Yellowstone.

8 Chief Joseph Ranch, Montana

The Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana perfectly captures the essence of a classic Montana cowboy ranch. It served as the backdrop for the iconic Yellowstone Dutton Ranch scenes in the show. Situated in a picturesque valley, the ranch offers an authentic experience with breathtaking views of Trapper Peak and the Bitterroot River Valley. Steeped in history, this land was once inhabited by the Salish Native Americans and holds significance as part of Lewis and Clark's expedition route in 1805. Over the years, the ranch has changed ownership numerous times since its establishment as the Shelton Ranch in 1884.

7 Helena, Montana

The ranch primarily functions as a popular tourist destination and lodging facility at present, offering guests the opportunity to make reservations and stay in one of the charming lodges situated on the expansive ranch property. However, please hold off on checking your calendar for now as all reservations for the year 2023 have already been filled. In the instances where availability does arise, ardent Yellowstone enthusiasts should anticipate spending between $1,200 and $1,500 per night for the privilege of immersing themselves in one of the iconic cabins showcased on the show.

In Yellowstone season 5, we witness a significant shift in John Dutton's focus: from the iconic Dutton Ranch to the state capital of Montana, Helena, where he assumes the role of governor. To capture the authenticity of the governor's office, the cast and crew of Yellowstone traveled to the Montana State Capitol building in Helena, where they filmed captivating scenes. While John's swearing-in ceremony was staged in the Helena Capitol Building, the actual filming took place at the Missoula County Courthouse, adding an interesting twist to the production.

6 Crow Indian Reservation, Montana

Right next to the Yellowstone ranch lies the Broken Rock Reservation, overseen by Chairman Thomas Rainwater. The captivating scenes unfolding on the Broken Rock Reservation were captured on film at the Crow Indian Reservation, Montana's largest reservation. True to its name, this land serves as the homeland for the Crow tribe, which actively maintains a substantial bison herd within the reservation. A significant portion of Yellowstone's early conflicts revolve around Rainwater himself, with numerous impactful scenes shot within the show's Tribal Casino. These particular scenes were filmed at the Apsaalooke Nights Casino, which serves as a substitute for the Tribal Casino on the Crow Indian Reservation.

5 Missoula, Montana

Following the filming of a significant portion of the initial three seasons in Utah, Sheridan decided to shift the majority of Yellowstone's production to Montana. As reported by KPAX in Montana, Sheridan acquired a 40,000-square-foot facility situated on 100 acres just outside Missoula for filming purposes. This ample space offers the opportunity for tailored filming options and was utilized during the creation of Yellowstone seasons 4 and 5.

With production relocated solely to Montana, the latter two seasons prominently showcase Missoula. In addition to capturing various city scenes, the iconic Ruby's Café serves as the backdrop for an intense diner shootout involving John and Rip Wheeler. Missoula Community Medical Center provided the setting for hospital scenes in the show, while Glen's Café, located in Missoula, is where John frequently dines and consistently orders Salisbury steaks.

4 Hamilton, Montana

Located south of Missoula, Hamilton, Missouri is a charming small town with a rich history. It was established by Marcus Daly, a prominent copper magnate, in the late 1800s. Interestingly, Daly's opulent mansion serves as a remarkable substitute for the governor's mansion in the popular television series Yellowstone. Fascinatingly, the area just outside Hamilton was also chosen as the setting for Kayce's thrilling car chase scene, where he relentlessly pursued the individuals who had targeted him and his loved ones, as stated on IMDB.

3 Ogden, Utah

Missoula has served as home base for the later seasons, but Ogden, Utah was the primary location for many scenes in the first three seasons of Yellowstone. According to IMDB, the charming ski town's streets and shops provided the backdrop for much of the city-based action in Yellowstone season 3, including the offices of Beth's employer Schwartz & Meyer. The Outlaw Saloon, a real bar known for its live country music, is the bar frequented by Beth and the other ranchers in the show.

Ogden's Pioneer Stadium was used as one of the rodeo locations in Yellowstone. However, the rodeo scenes featured in seasons 1-3 were actually filmed an hour south of Ogden, in Spanish Fork, Utah. Specifically, these scenes were shot at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, which continues to hold regular rodeo events.

2 Park City, Utah

Park City, Utah, located approximately 20 miles south of Salt Lake City, is a renowned ski town in the Rockies. Similar to Dan Jenkins' vision for the Dutton Ranch valley, Park City comes alive during the tourist season. It is famous for hosting the Sundance Film Festival every January and serving as the venue for skiing and snowboarding events during the 2002 Winter Olympics. In Yellowstone, the luxurious lodge scenes, reminiscent of Jenkins' vision, were filmed at the thriving Nicklaus Clubhouse. This location remains a popular dinner destination, primarily due to its breathtaking views.

1 Guthrie, Texas

After being sent away from Dutton Ranch to improve his cowboy skills, fan-favorite Jimmy Hurdstram finds himself at the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas. This ranch, featured on the show, is still an active cattle ranch spanning over 350,000 acres in West Texas. Its vast size and remote location away from towns and cities make it perfect for filming, providing Yellowstone with an expansive and seemingly endless countryside backdrop.

The 6666 Ranch, now owned by Sheridan and his buyer group, is a key location in both Yellowstone and its spinoff 6666. This purchase took place in 2021, according to Texas Monthly. With Sheridan's involvement, it is likely that the ranch will continue to serve as a filming location for his ongoing projects.