Unlike some of Yellowstone National Park’s wildlife the resident bison do not hibernate, nor do migrate massive distances between their summer and winter ranges. Bison will travel up to 70 miles between their seasonal ranges, retreating to lower elevations as the snowpack develops but they remain very much present in the park and visitors need to respect their distance year round.
Yellowstone’s visitor numbers sharply decrease as the temperatures drop with monthly visitation statistics typically hitting far below 100,000 between November and April. If you want to experience the park with less crowds, head there in the winter but even when the park is at its least crowded, there’s still a chance you witness tourists acting recklessly like the ones in the video below who approached a group of bison to snap pictures and unwittingly put themselves in grave danger.
Fortunately these tourists didn’t get charged but they very well could have. Remember, Yellowstone National Park requires that visitors give bison at least 25 yards (75 feet) of space at all times. They also require that drivers use pullouts if they hope to stop and watch wildlife, ensuring that they don’t block traffic. Read more on bison safety below.

YELLOWSTONE BISON SAFETY GUIDELINES:
Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans. Always stay at least 25 yards away from bison.
- Give bison space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity. 
- Approaching bison threatens them, and they may respond by bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, or snorting. These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent.
- Do not stand your ground. Immediately walk or run away from the animal. Spray bear spray as you are moving away if the animal follows you.