Where was “Yellowstone” filmed? See the real locations behind the scenic series

Forget green screens and CGI — the neo-Western’s big, blue skies and beautiful backdrops are the real deal.

The long wait for the second half of Yellowstone’s final season is over.

The hit drama series has officially returned to Paramount+. Since saddling up for season 5’s initial premiere nearly two years ago, you’ve likely missed those stretching plains, big blue skies, and slo-mo long shots of cowboys wrangling cattle.

Sure, the Kevin Costner-led contemporary Western is largely defined by its soapy plotlines and family drama, but its picturesque, fictional Montana setting is a character in its own right, one on par with any member of the Dutton clan.

So whether you’re pining for one of those cozy sunrise scenes of patriarch John sipping black coffee on his porch, or you prefer the wide open spaces surrounding his palatial, rustic estate — which is a working Montana ranch in real life — read on for a deep dive into where Yellowstone was filmed.

The Yellowstone Ranch (Chief Joseph Ranch, Darby, Mont.)

Given how frequently TV shows and movies are produced on soundstages, backlots, and in front of green screens, it’s refreshing that John Dutton’s impressive Montana homestead is a working cattle ranch in the Big Sky State. Then again, that’s probably not surprising, as no amount of Hollywood magic could authentically duplicate Yellowstone’s sprawling estate and its stunning surroundings.

Chief Joseph Ranch brings an air of authenticity to the coveted Dutton land. Located in Darby, Mont., the massive landmark — and its 5,000-square-foot mansion — is a family-owned, -worked, and -inhabited property that looks pretty much like it does on the show. Iconic Yellowstone settings — from the home’s country-inspired interiors to the outdoor barns, stables, and bunkhouses — are all accounted for at the real-life ranch.

Faithful fans can even book stays at Rip Wheeler’s (Cole Hauser) and Lee Dutton’s (Dave Annable) cabins. Tours of the ranch are also available, though it’s a safe bet that a trip to the “train station” is probably not included in the package…

The ranch is located near the beautiful Bitterroot Valley. The historic area — which hosts a portion of the path navigated by Lewis and Clark in 1805 — is enveloped by the equally breathtaking Bitterroot mountain range, punctuated by the eye-popping Trapper Peak.

Related: Everything to know about the Yellowstone cast and their lives off the ranch

Broken Rock Reservation (Crow Indian Reservation, Billings, Mont.)

Many of the Dutton clan’s conflicts, especially during season 1, stem from land disputes with the bordering Broken Rock Reservation and its chairman, Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham). But while they’re feuding neighbors — and occasional allies — on the show, John and Thomas would probably be better off conducting their business over the phone in the real world. Broken Rock’s real-world filming location, Crow Indian Reservation, is located just outside of Billings, Mont., which is six or so hours from Yellowstone Ranch stand-in Chief Joseph Ranch.

That minor inconsistency aside, the real-life reservation — the largest in the state — has plenty in common with its fictional counterpart. Home to the Native American Crow tribe, the land was established in the 19th century and is still active today, with 2.3 million acres home to hundreds of free-roaming bison.

While you won’t see Rainwater herding buffalo on Yellowstone, the Dutton frenemy has appeared in many outdoor scenes filmed at the reservation. Of course, when not conducting business or delegating some nefarious deed to his fixer Mo (Moses Brings Plenty), the chief is scheming on the floor of his Painted Horse Casino. Like the reservation it's located on, the gambling establishment is also the real deal, known as southern Montana’s Apsaalooke Nights Casino.

Montana, seasons 1–3 (Ogden; Spanish Fork; Park City, Utah)

Despite the fictional Yellowstone being Montana’s largest contiguous ranch, the first three seasons of the series were primarily filmed outside of the state. More specifically, Utah often served as the Duttons’ stomping grounds, with scenes being shot primarily in Ogden, Spanish Fork, and Park City.

The former, a popular ski destination, served as the bustling city background, which included the exteriors of Beth’s (Kelly Reilly) Schwartz & Meyer office. The fiery Dutton daughter spent equal time sipping spirits at real-life country music bar The Outlaw Saloon, also in Ogden.

Attending rodeos is another popular Dutton pastime, one that was also filmed in Utah during the show’s early seasons. Some of the bucking-bronco action was shot at Ogden’s Pioneer Stadium, but most bull-riding scenes were filmed at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, which hosts the real-life Utah County Fair, where, of course, actual rodeos and tractor pulls are the main events.

If you’ve been following the Dutton saga since season 1, you’ll remember Dan Jenkins (Danny Huston) being a real thorn in John’s side. When the unscrupulous, land-developing antagonist wasn’t being outsmarted by Beth, he was luxuriating at his opulent “Montana” lodge. But the eye-popping estate was actually Park City’s Nicklaus Clubhouse at Promontory Point, which is popular for its seasonal recreational activities, fine dining, and posh amenities.

Related: Yellowstone cast previews 'perfect ending' to the series

Montana, seasons 4–5 (Helena; Missoula; Hamilton, Mont.)

While Utah and its popular tourist towns did plenty of heavy lifting, serving as filming locations for Yellowstone’s first three seasons, the show moved production to Montana for season 4 and beyond. Though the shift was supposedly made for tax purposes, it also conveniently tied into some of the show’s key storylines.

For starters, Montana’s state capital of Helena just so happens to host the governor’s office, a political appointment John ascends to in season 5. Many scenes, including those taking place in Beth’s office, were shot in the actual Capitol Building. And while John’s office — as well as other capitol interiors — are authentic, the new governor’s swearing-in ceremony was filmed a couple hours away, at the Missoula Courthouse.

Speaking of the charming city of Missoula, it also includes several other recognizable filming locations, from Ruby’s Cafe to Missoula Community Medical Center, where the Dutton patriarch recovered after finding himself on the wrong side of a bullet.

The courthouse, medical center, and other areas around the city also served as general backdrops for a variety of scenes, from Beth’s first, contentious meeting with teenager Carter to a rowdy protest outside the Livestock Association’s HQ. Missoula’s Glen’s Cafe is also home to “the best salisbury steak in Montana,” according to John, who gifts the meal to Jamie’s biological father Garrett Randall (Will Patton) while simultaneously threatening his life.

Montana’s quaint town of Hamilton also hosted some key filming spots, such as season 5’s Governor’s mansion. Named for the city’s founder, copper industrialist Marcus Daly, the Victorian-style Daly Mansion doubles as a museum when its interiors and exteriors aren’t appearing on Yellowstone. The season 4 premiere’s nail-biting car chase, which saw Kayce (Luke Grimes) pursuing the baddies who targeted his family, was also filmed near Hamilton.

6666 Ranch (Four Sixes Ranch, Guthrie, Tex.)

Yellowstone’s fourth season saw fan-favorite, clueless cowboy Jimmy Hurdstram (Jefferson White) unceremoniously shipped off to Texas’ 6666 Ranch to hone his cattle-wrangling craft. While the character and his journey are fictional, the ranch is anything but. Officially known as the Four Sixes, the 142,000-plus acre plot is a genuine, working cattle ranch.

Founded in 1870, the sprawling ranch is also owned by Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, who, er, ponied up for the land in 2021. The historic spot, which also hosts special events and invites guests to tour its Supply House, will likely be the setting for the upcoming 6666 spinoff series.