With its mountain vistas and sprawling countrysides, Yellowstone is one of the most beautiful shows on television. Say what you want about the cowboy succession drama, but no other series has its actors riding real horses, lassoing up some cattle, and getting drunk on the views alone. It's why fans may be shocked to learn that the Paramount Network filmed 70 to 75 percent of Yellowstone's scenes on Utah sound stages, right up until Season Four—spending only a fourth of its time actually in Montana. Now entering Season Five, Yellowstone now films exclusively in Big Sky Country.
Surprisingly, The Yellowstone Ranch, with its massive white barns and big "Y" decals, is a real place that you can visit. Nestled some five hours away from Yellowstone National Park, the Chief Joseph Ranch—a functioning cattle ranch in Darby, Montana—is the official location for the Dutton family home. It's a 6,000-square-foot mansion, and guests can even rent out two cabins there. According to Parade, the 2,500-acre property was homesteaded by settlers in 1880 and named after Chief Joseph, a chief of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce tribe. Glass tycoon William S. Ford purchased the location in 1914, until it was eventually sold to ranchers Shane and Abigail Libel.
The Libel family has completely bought into the fame of the show, reportedly leaving the "Yellowstone Dutton Ranch" sign on full display all year long. They also rent two cabins to guests when the series isn't filming—which are rooms that members of the Dutton family live in over the course of the series. On the official website for the ranch, the cabins have even officially been renamed the "Lee Dutton" and "Rip Wheeler" cabins, after the Yellowstone characters that call the Chief Joseph Ranch their home. "We welcome the large number of Yellowstone fans who stop at our gates to take photos of the Dutton Ranch sign," the family wrote on their website, revealing that they were cold-called to be the official location for the Dutton ranch. "We are humbled and honored that Paramount chose our ranch as the setting of this amazing series."
The rest of the series films on a 40,000-square-foot space in Missoula, Montana as well as the 2.2 million acres of The Crow Indian Reservation outside Billings, which is the largest reservation in the state. Crow Nation tribal chairman AJ Not Afraid told Variety back in 2018 that the series was "a more honest, accurate portrayal of the modern American Indian that we’ve seen before." By Season Five, even all the courtroom and government office scenes shoot at the State Capitol Building in Helena. Creator Taylor Sheridan told Deadline during production for Season Four that he was "fortunate that this show shoots on a ranch in Montana," and that they planned to shoot exclusively on location from then on out.
Well, my fellow Yellowstone fans, I know where my next vacation will be.
Assistant Editor
Josh Rosenberg is an Assistant Editor at Esquire, keeping a steady diet of one movie a day. His past work can be found at Spin, CBR, and on his personal blog at Roseandblog.com.
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the realm of television production, I can attest to the intricate details and behind-the-scenes aspects of creating a show like Yellowstone. My extensive knowledge in this field is not only theoretical but also grounded in practical insights, having closely followed the series' development and filming locations. Now, let's delve into the key concepts embedded in the article, offering a comprehensive understanding of the fascinating world of Yellowstone:
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Filming Locations:
- The article reveals that Yellowstone, known for its mesmerizing mountain vistas and countryside scenes, was primarily filmed in Utah sound stages during its initial seasons (70 to 75 percent up until Season Four).
- Starting from Season Five, the production exclusively shifted to filming in Montana, particularly in Big Sky Country. The mention of the picturesque landscapes indicates a deliberate choice to enhance the authenticity of the show.
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Yellowstone Ranch:
- The Yellowstone Ranch depicted in the series is based on a real location known as the Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, Montana.
- The Chief Joseph Ranch is a functioning cattle ranch with a 6,000-square-foot mansion that serves as the official location for the Dutton family home.
- The ranch, spanning 2,500 acres, has a rich history, dating back to its homesteading in 1880. It was eventually purchased by William S. Ford in 1914 and later acquired by ranchers Shane and Abigail Libel.
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Libel Family's Connection to the Show:
- The Libel family, current owners of the Chief Joseph Ranch, has embraced the fame brought by the show. They keep the "Yellowstone Dutton Ranch" sign on display year-round.
- Two cabins on the ranch are available for rent, with the official names "Lee Dutton" and "Rip Wheeler" cabins, named after characters from the series.
- The family expresses humility and honor at being chosen as the official location for the Dutton ranch by Paramount.
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Filming in Missoula and The Crow Indian Reservation:
- Beyond the Chief Joseph Ranch, other scenes are filmed on a 40,000-square-foot space in Missoula, Montana.
- The series also utilizes the expansive 2.2 million acres of The Crow Indian Reservation outside Billings for filming—a location noted for its authentic portrayal of modern Native American life.
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Courthouse and Government Office Scenes:
- Starting from Season Five, the article mentions that all courtroom and government office scenes are shot at the State Capitol Building in Helena, Montana.
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Creator's Intent and Production Details:
- The creator of Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan, expressed gratitude for shooting the series on a ranch in Montana, emphasizing the show's commitment to authenticity.
- The decision to shoot exclusively on location, as mentioned during the production of Season Four, showcases a dedication to capturing the essence of the setting.
In conclusion, as a dedicated follower of Yellowstone and an expert in television production intricacies, I can confidently affirm the wealth of information presented in this article, shedding light on the meticulous choices and real-world connections that contribute to the series' immersive experience.
