Grand Teton National Park is home to a thriving bison population with approximately 600 animals as of early 2025. The Grand Teton herd is relatively small compared to Yellowstone’s population (estimated population 5,400) but are still a mainstay species that can be dependably observed when visiting the park.
Despite being the largest land mammal in North America with bulls weighing up to 2,000 pounds and standing up to 6 feet tall, bison are surprisingly agile animals for their size. Although they may appear like lumbering beasts that chew grass all day, they are deceptively athletic and can run at speeds up to 35mph and jump up to 6 feet high.
Grand Teton’s bison do not engage in long distance migrations, rather the herd exhibits localized seasonal movements going to lower elevations like the National Elk Refuge during winter months. During the annual seasonal movement, bison may encounter obstacles where their agility comes in handy like this group who filmed this week encountering a fence in Grand Teton National Park which effortlessly cleared it with a single bound.
It should be noted that bison’s speed and agility can make them a liability for tourists who get too close. Grand Teton National Park requires guests to stay at least 25 yards away from bison at all times. Rather than approaching bison to get pictures, tourists should abide by the National Park’s mantra “use your zoom and give them room” and utilize telephoto lens, binoculars or your smartphone’s zoom feature to get an up close perspective. Learn more on wildlife viewing safety in Grand Teton National Park below.
Responsible Wildlife Viewing In Grand Teton National Park:
- Use binoculars, spotting scopes or long lenses for close views and photographs. Always maintain a safe distance of at least 100 yards from wolves and bears, and at least 25 yards from all other wildlife.
- Never position yourself between an adult and its offspring. Females with young are especially defensive.
- It is illegal to feed wildlife, including ground squirrels and birds. Feeding wild animals makes them dependent on people, and animals often bite the hand that feeds them.
- Do not harass wildlife. Harassment is any human action that causes unusual behavior, or a change of behavior, in an animal. Repeated encounters with people can have negative, long-term impacts on wildlife, including increased levels of stress and the avoidance of essential feeding areas.
- Nesting birds are easily disturbed. For wildlife, raising young is a private affair. If an adult bird on a nest flies off at your approach, or circles you or screams in alarm, you are too close to the nest. Unattended nestlings readily succumb to predation and exposure to heat, cold, and wet weather.
- Allow other visitors a chance to enjoy wildlife. If your actions cause an animal to flee, you have deprived other visitors of a viewing opportunity. Use an animal’s behavior as a guide to your actions.