The Ultimate Guide To All 25+ Real-Life 'Yellowstone' Filming Locations You Can Actually Visit

For fans of the hit Paramount Network series Yellowstone, the stunning, rugged backdrop of the Dutton Ranch is as much a character as John Dutton himself. The show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, insisted on filming the series on location to capture the authentic spirit of the American West, leading to a sprawling production that has utilized dozens of real-life locations across three major states: Montana, Utah, and Texas. As of December 11, 2025, the most up-to-date information confirms a significant shift in production from its initial base to a full-time operation in Montana, driven by tax incentives and a desire for even greater authenticity.

The quest to find out "where was Yellowstone filmed" is a journey through some of the most picturesque and historic parts of the Western United States. This definitive guide breaks down every major filming location, from the iconic ranch house to the bustling city scenes, detailing the geographical shift that defined the later seasons of the show.

The Heart of the Show: The Yellowstone Dutton Ranch Location

The single most important and recognizable filming location is the ranch that serves as the Dutton family's home, the massive Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, often referred to simply as "The Y."

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The Chief Joseph Ranch (Darby, Montana)

The sprawling log mansion and its surrounding 2,500 acres are not a set built for the show; they are a working, historic property known as the Chief Joseph Ranch. Located in the small town of Darby, Montana, in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley, this ranch has been the primary exterior location for the Dutton Ranch since the show’s inception.

• The Log Mansion: The exterior of the Dutton family’s main house, the massive log structure, is the actual lodge at Chief Joseph Ranch.
• The Barn and Corrals: All the iconic ranch work scenes, including the cattle roundups, training, and branding, are filmed on the ranch's grounds.
• A Real-Life Guest Ranch: In a unique twist for fans, the Chief Joseph Ranch is also a family-owned guest ranch when the show is not actively filming. Visitors can rent one of two cabins—the Lee Dutton Cabin or the Rip Wheeler Cabin—which are the actual buildings used for the characters on the show.
• Location Detail: The ranch is situated in Ravalli County, approximately 90 minutes south of Missoula.

The Great Shift: From Utah Soundstages to Full-Time Montana Production

While the Chief Joseph Ranch has always been the face of the Dutton Ranch, the series initially relied heavily on Utah for interior and soundstage work. This changed significantly starting with Season 4.

Utah’s Role (Seasons 1–3)

For the first three seasons, roughly 75% of the show's production was based in Utah. The state offered production incentives that made it an attractive location for the show’s interiors and other non-ranch exteriors.

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• Park City's Utah Film Studios: All of the interior scenes for the Dutton Ranch house (the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms) were filmed on soundstages at the Utah Film Studios in Park City. This is also where the production offices were located.
• Spanish Fork Fairgrounds: Scenes involving the rodeo, a recurring element of ranch life, were filmed at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds in Spanish Fork, Utah.
• Other Utah Locations: Various other spots in Utah, including areas near Salt Lake City and Ogden, were used for generic street scenes and other backdrops.

The Move to Montana (Seasons 4 & 5)

In 2020, production for Yellowstone made a decisive move, shifting its entire base of operations to Montana. This change was largely driven by Montana's new state tax program, which offered more favorable production incentives than Utah, making it financially viable to film the entire series within the state where the story is set.

This commitment to filming entirely in Montana led to the use of numerous new cities and specific landmarks, giving the later seasons a deeper sense of place and topical authority.

Montana’s City and Town Filming Locations (The Political and Medical Entities)

The series often leaves the ranch to explore the political machinations and medical emergencies of the Dutton family, leading the production to use several major Montana cities.

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Missoula, Montana (The Urban Hub)

Missoula is one of the most frequently used urban filming locations, serving as the backdrop for hospitals, restaurants, and various offices.

• Community Medical Center: All hospital scenes, including those involving the Dutton family, were filmed at the Community Medical Center in Missoula, not at the actual Bozeman hospital.
• Ruby’s Diner: The classic, local diner where many of the characters meet for tense conversations is a real Missoula institution called Ruby's Diner.
• Missoula County Courthouse: This historic building has been used in several scenes, particularly those involving legal or governmental matters.
• Residential Filming: Specific residential areas, such as a home on East Beckwith and Gerald Avenue, were utilized for various character homes.

Helena, Montana (The Political Stage)

As the state capital, Helena is the only place that could authentically stand in for the seat of Montana’s political power.

• Montana State Capitol Building: When John Dutton (Kevin Costner) is sworn in as Governor of Montana, those scenes were filmed in the actual hallowed halls of the Montana State Capitol Building in Helena. This landmark is used for all major political and gubernatorial scenes.

Hamilton, Montana (The County Seat)

Located near the Chief Joseph Ranch, Hamilton is a quaint town that provides several key administrative settings.

• Montana Livestock Association Building: The building used for the Livestock Association offices, where Jamie Dutton often interacts with officials, is located at 163 S. Second Street in downtown Hamilton.
• Downtown Hamilton: The charming downtown area of Hamilton, with its historic architecture, has been a key backdrop for various street and administrative scenes in Season 5.

Bozeman, Montana (The Modern West)

Bozeman, known for its rapid growth and modern amenities, represents the changing face of Montana. While often mentioned as a location, the filming is more focused on the downtown area to capture the mix of old and new.

The Texas Connection: The 6666 Ranch Storyline

In a major storyline twist in Season 4, the show introduced the legendary 6666 Ranch (often pronounced "Four Sixes Ranch") as the place where Jimmy Hurdstrom is sent to learn how to be a real cowboy. This location is not in Montana, but deep in the heart of Texas, and its inclusion is a nod to the growing Taylor Sheridan universe.

• The 6666 Ranch: The real 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas, served as the primary filming location for all of Jimmy’s Texas scenes in Seasons 4 and 5.
• Texas Panhandle: Additional scenes for the Texas storyline were filmed in the surrounding areas of the Texas Panhandle, including locations near Amarillo and Weatherford.

The use of these three distinct states—Montana for the heartland drama, Utah for the early soundstage efficiency, and Texas for the spin-off storyline—demonstrates the massive scale and commitment to authentic Western landscapes that makes Yellowstone a visual masterpiece and a cultural phenomenon.