Where was ‘Yellowstone’ filmed? All about the Real Dutton Ranch

The property’s next chapter began after Ford’s death, when his widow May and daughters Phyllis and Billie Ann pioneered one of the West’s first guest ranches, welcoming visitors to experience Montana’s rustic luxury. In the early 1950s, the property changed hands again and was renamed the Chief Joseph Ranch.

The 2,5000 hectare ranch offers a breathtaking panoramic view.

Today, Shane and Angela Libel own and operate the ranch, preserving its legacy as both a working cattle operation and a piece of Montana history since they took the reins in 2012. Before filming began, the owners received a cold call from “Yellowstone” producers asking if their home could be turned into a set for the series, as stated on their website. As Kevin Costner noted in June 2022 cast interviewThe Bitterroot Valley location was “historic” but “hadn’t been discovered yet” when the show began. “They saw something that stuck, and so this ranch has just acted as another character, and might as well have a voice for itself,” the actor reflected.

The Libels had not sought Hollywood fame – far from it. “We didn’t have the ranch listed as a filming location,” they note on their website. “We are humbled and honored that Paramount chose our ranch as the setting for this amazing series.”

The preservation of this historic ranch is taken seriously during filming. Location Manager Mark Jarrett explained that “there were rubber mats on the floor to protect the wood. People put boots over their construction boots if it rained. The crew was very accommodating. They understood that the whole ranch was a ‘hot’ set.”

Despite the chaos on screen, the preservation of the historic Chief Joseph Ranch was prioritized during filming.

Can you stay at Dutton Ranch?

You can actually live yours Yellowstone fantasies (minus the family drama and occasional murder) of living on the ranch. When the cameras aren’t rolling, the owners rent out the cabins on the property. Choose from “Lee Dutton’s Cabin” for $1,400 per night or “Rip’s Cabin” for $1,700 per night. Both can accommodate up to eight guests and come with stunning views, a full kitchen, grill and washer and dryer. While the main lodge is off-limits (they do live there, after all!), every reservation includes a tour of the ranch and Yellowstone set.

Where else was Yellowstone filmed?

While Dutton Ranch steals the show, Yyellowstone has brought its magic across different places. In the first three seasons, 75% of the show was filmed in Utah – Park City, Ogden and Spanish Fork all gained their fame. But starting with season four, Montana became the series’ primary trailblazer. Why the move? Let’s just say it involved a classic Hollywood plot: Money. Montana’s $10 million tax incentive lured the production north, and the shift fit perfectly with the show’s expanding history.

Many scenes were filmed in the actual Montana State Capitol Building in Montana

The series makes excellent use of Montana’s capital, Helena, where scenes in the governor’s office – including Beth’s power moves – were filmed in the State Capitol Building itself. While most of the capitol interior is authentic, John Dutton’s gubernatorial inauguration ceremony moved to the Missoula Courthouse. Missoula, Montana itself serves up plenty of memorable moments, from tense confrontations at Ruby’s Café to dramatic scenes at Community Medical Center where John recovered from his near-fatal encounter with a bullet. Even the charming Glen’s Café made its mark as home to “Montana’s Best Salisbury Steak”—though we wouldn’t recommend recreating John’s menacing dinner scene. Down in Hamilton, Montana, the historic Daly Mansion is being transformed into the governor’s residence. The city’s winding roads also provided the backdrop for Season 4’s heart-stopping car chase.

The fictional Broken Rock Reservation comes to life in the real world Crow Indian Reservationjust 10 miles outside of Billings, Montana. This vast expanse of over two million acres is home to the Crow Tribe, which manages a herd of 300 bison. Season 4 introduced us to real life 6666 Ranch (Four Sixes Ranch) in Guthrie, Texas. In a case of art imitating life, Yellowstone Creator Taylor Sheridan loved the historic property so much that he purchased it in 2021, ensuring its authenticity as a setting for both the series and its upcoming spinoff.

The real 6666 Ranch in the small town of Guthrie, Texas.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a cabin to reserve and some cowboy boots to break into.

Julia Cancilla is engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE DECOR, where she manages the brand’s social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle and culture in the design world. Her eye for new styles helps bring the latest in interior design to ELLE DECOR’s cross-platform audience. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audience by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities and wrote feature stories focusing on pop culture, design and lifestyle. During her five years of experience in digital media, Julia has written on numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.