The Real Yellowstone: 10 Iconic Filming Locations You Can Actually Visit In Montana And Utah

Since its premiere, the Paramount Network's hit series Yellowstone has captivated millions with its stunning visuals of the American West, making the sprawling Dutton Ranch and the majestic Montana landscape as central to the show as the family drama itself. As of the current date, December 15, 2025, the show's production has solidified its roots in the Treasure State, moving beyond its initial dual-state setup to film the final parts of Season 5 almost entirely on location in Montana, offering fans a true, authentic look at the West.

The question of "where is Yellowstone filmed" goes beyond a simple state name; it involves a complex network of real-life working ranches, historic mansions, and small-town businesses across two states that bring Taylor Sheridan's vision to life. This guide breaks down the most iconic, must-see filming locations, revealing the exact spots where John, Beth, Kayce, and Rip’s dramatic world unfolds.

The Heart of the Dutton Empire: Montana's Chief Joseph Ranch and Bitterroot Valley

The vast majority of the show, especially from Season 4 onward, is filmed in Montana, a strategic move by the production team to fully embrace the setting of the story. This shift not only provided more authentic backdrops but also capitalized on the state's natural beauty and economic incentives.

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1. The Dutton Ranch (Chief Joseph Ranch, Darby, MT)

The undisputed star of the show's locations is the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch itself. In reality, this is the historic Chief Joseph Ranch, located near the small town of Darby in Montana’s picturesque Bitterroot Valley.

• What is Filmed Here: The exterior of the main lodge, the interior of the Great Room, the kitchen, the back porch, the front porch, the helipad, the barn, and the surrounding corrals and fields are all shot on location.
• Can You Visit?: Yes, but only when the show is not filming. The Chief Joseph Ranch is a working cattle ranch and a historic landmark that operates as a guest ranch, offering two cabins for rent (Lee Dutton's Cabin and Rip's Cabin).

2. The Governor’s Mansion (Daly Mansion, Hamilton, MT)

In Season 5, when John Dutton is sworn in as Governor of Montana, his new stately residence is a real-life historic home. The exterior and many interior shots of the Governor's Mansion are filmed at the Daly Mansion in Hamilton, Montana.

• Historical Context: The mansion was built by copper king Marcus Daly, one of the famous "Copper Kings" of Montana. Its grand, aristocratic feel perfectly fits the political and economic power wielded by the Dutton family.

3. Political Power Center (Missoula County Courthouse, Missoula, MT)

While the actual state capital is Helena, many key political and urban scenes are filmed in Missoula. John Dutton’s swearing-in ceremony in Season 5 took place at the Missoula County Courthouse, a significant shift from the Utah-based locations used in earlier seasons.

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4. Urban and Medical Scenes (Missoula, MT)

Missoula serves as the primary urban center for the show’s Montana-based production, replacing many of the Utah cityscapes used previously. Specific, easily recognizable entities in Missoula include:

• Community Medical Center: Used for hospital and medical scenes.
• Ruby's Cafe / Ruby's Diner: A local spot that appears in various dining and meeting scenes.
• Glen's Cafe: Another Missoula establishment used for filming.

The Origin Story: Key Filming Locations in Utah (Seasons 1-3)

For the first three seasons, Yellowstone relied heavily on Utah, specifically the areas around Salt Lake City, to provide the necessary infrastructure and diverse backdrops. This was due to Utah's favorable film tax incentives at the time.

5. The Financial District (Ogden, UT)

The city of Ogden, Utah, doubled as the financial and legal centers for the Duttons' operations, often standing in for scenes set in Salt Lake City.

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• Schwartz & Meyer Bank: The exterior of the fictional bank and law office where Beth Dutton works is actually located in downtown Ogden, at 2505 Lincoln Avenue.
• 25th Street: This historic street in Ogden was used for various bustling town scenes, including Beth Dutton's after-work escapades.

6. Rodeo and Fairgrounds (Spanish Fork, UT)

The authentic rodeo scenes, which are crucial to the cowboy culture of the show, were often filmed in Utah. The Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, located south of Ogden, was the primary location for these events in the early seasons.

7. The Early Governor’s Office (Park City, UT)

Scenes set in the initial Governor's office and other high-end corporate settings were frequently filmed in and around Park City, Utah, a location known for its upscale resorts and stunning mountain vistas.

Why the Major Filming Shift to Montana?

The production of Yellowstone underwent a significant change starting with Season 4, permanently relocating its core operations to Montana. While the show is set in Montana, the initial use of Utah was purely for financial reasons, leveraging the state’s attractive tax rebates.

The decision to move the entire production to the Missoula Valley was driven by a desire for greater authenticity and a more unified filming schedule. By consolidating filming in Montana, the production was able to utilize more natural, authentic backdrops for the ranch and surrounding wilderness, which ultimately brought over $70 million in spending to the state.

This commitment to Montana has been a boon for the state, turning local businesses into recognizable landmarks and fueling a tourism boom for fans, known as "set-jetters," eager to visit the real-life locations of the Dutton Ranch and the Bitterroot Valley.

Additional Yellowstone Entities and Filming Context

To achieve the rich, cinematic feel of the show, the production uses a variety of other locations and entities across Montana:

• Helena, Montana: Used for various state capital and political scenes.
• Bitterroot River: The river that runs through the Bitterroot Valley is frequently featured in scenes involving fishing, cattle drives, and dramatic outdoor encounters.
• Montana Livestock Association: This entity is often mentioned and sometimes featured, reflecting the real-world agricultural politics of the region.
• Missoula Railroad and Woody: Used for scenes involving trains, transport, and industrial settings.
• Wisdom, Montana: A small town in Montana listed as one of the filming locations, likely for remote or wilderness-set scenes.
• The Bunkhouse: The interior of the Dutton Ranch Bunkhouse is a set built on a soundstage, but the exterior is the real bunkhouse at the Chief Joseph Ranch.
• Taylor Sheridan: The show's creator, whose vision for an authentic Western drama necessitated the move to film entirely in Montana.
• Paramount Network: The network that airs the series, which has heavily invested in the Montana-based production.

The seamless blend of the working Chief Joseph Ranch with the urban settings of Missoula and Hamilton has created a world that feels both vast and intimate. While the early seasons were a split effort between Utah and Montana, the later seasons and the highly anticipated conclusion of Season 5 are a testament to the production's deep commitment to the authenticity of the Montana setting, cementing the Bitterroot Valley as the true home of the Dutton family saga.