Yellowstone National Park is home to a broad range of wildlife, but the bison are easily among the park’s most popular sights. The area’s bison population has ranged from 3,500 to nearly 6,000 over the past several years and a 2024 population estimate put the number around 5,400.
The park has two primary breeding herds, the northern and central. The massive animals are spread throughout much of the park, primarily in the Hayden and Lamar valleys throughout the year and the grasslands during the summer. In the winter and occasionally throughout the other three seasons, bison can be found around Yellowstone’s popular hydrothermal areas like Old Faithful.
Despite the presence of ample signage advising visitors to maintain a safe distance from wildlife, bison in high-traffic developed areas of Yellowstone National Park are often approached by overconfident tourists attempting to get close up photos of the animals. The following video was recorded at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center and shows a woman blatently disregarding park policies to approach a bison and capture a selfie.
Despite weighing as much as a compact sedan (2,000 pounds), bison are agile and fast, capable of speeds up to 35mph. Visitors to Yellowstone National Park should be reminded that bison have injured more people in the park than any other animal. Visitors should always give bison at least 25 yards of space to avoid a dangerous encounter. Read more on bison safety at Yellowstone National Park below.
Yellowstone National Park 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 (23 m) 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.
