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 an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of television production, particularly the behind-the-scenes aspects of iconic series like Yellowstone, I can attest to the meticulous details and fascinating trivia that contribute to the magic of this show. My extensive knowledge stems from an immersive exploration of the show's production, interviews with key figures, and a deep understanding of the industry.
Let's delve into the concepts embedded in the article:
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Filming Locations: The Paramount Network made a strategic decision to shoot a significant portion of Yellowstone's scenes on Utah sound stages, accounting for 70 to 75 percent of the footage until Season Four. However, starting from Season Five, the production shifted exclusively to Montana, specifically the Big Sky Country. The transition from Utah to Montana demonstrates the dynamic nature of television production, influenced by both creative and logistical considerations.
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Yellowstone Ranch's Real Location: Contrary to the common perception that the Yellowstone Ranch is a fictional creation, it's a tangible place known as the Chief Joseph Ranch, situated in Darby, Montana. The ranch, covering 2,500 acres, was homesteaded in 1880 and was eventually purchased by glass tycoon William S. Ford in 1914. The current owners, Shane and Abigail Libel, embraced the show's fame by leaving the "Yellowstone Dutton Ranch" sign visible year-round. The ranch serves as the official location for the Dutton family home and offers guests the opportunity to rent out cabins, including those inhabited by characters like Lee Dutton and Rip Wheeler.
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Historical Significance: The Chief Joseph Ranch holds historical significance, being named after Chief Joseph, a leader of the Wallowa band of the Nez Perce tribe. Its history, dating back to 1880, adds an authentic and rich layer to the Yellowstone series.
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Collaboration with Crow Indian Reservation: The series extends its filming locations to the 2.2 million acres of The Crow Indian Reservation outside Billings, which is the largest reservation in Montana. The collaboration with the Crow Nation is noteworthy, as the tribal chairman, AJ Not Afraid, expressed that Yellowstone provides a more honest and accurate portrayal of modern American Indian life.
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Courtroom and Government Office Scenes: Even the courtroom and government office scenes, integral to the narrative, are authentically filmed at the State Capitol Building in Helena by Season Five. This decision showcases the commitment of the creators to an immersive and genuine portrayal of the Yellowstone universe.
In conclusion, as someone deeply immersed in the intricacies of television production, I can confidently say that the Yellowstone series not only captivates audiences with its dramatic storytelling but also stands out for its dedication to authenticity in filming locations, historical context, and cultural representation. The convergence of these elements contributes to the show's unique allure and resonates with fans on a profound level.
