
Yes, you can see bison roaming near Denver, Colorado! The bison is synonymous with the history of the American West, to the point that the National Bison Legacy Act named bison the national mammal of the United States. Denver, a former frontier town, fittingly, has three sites that allow visitors to satisfy the universal craving for a connection to the majestic bison. Whether you are interested in bison from the lens of history, culture, or environment, your Denver area travel plans can readily accommodate a bison viewing.
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More about American Bison
The American bison (Latin name: Bison bison), also commonly called “buffalo,” has called North America home since prehistoric times.
Many Native American tribes relied on bison as a necessary food, clothing, and shelter source. Because of the close relationship between humans and animals, bison carry immense spiritual significance for indigenous people.
Settlement and development of the American West disturbed the dynamic between Native Americans and bison in profound and permanent ways. If you would like a deeper dive into this topic, there are many books and documentaries on the subject of the tragedy of the bison and Native Americans.Â
The three places described below are Genesee Park, Daniels Park, and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Keep reading to learn how you can see bison roaming near Denver.
A Note on Bison and Safety
Please remember the following: Maintain a safe distance from bison and observe them only from designated areas. Never approach, feed, or harass bison. I’m emphasizing this because EVERY YEAR, tourists who do not follow these simple precautions end up getting injured by bison, sometimes seriously.
Bison might look somewhat ungainly, but make no mistake: they can move fast (up to 35 mph (56 kmh), change direction quickly, and even jump fences. They can also exhibit unpredictable behavior, especially during mating season.

The facilities described below take safety very seriously. Follow the signs and observe all posted rules for a safe bison viewing experience.
Let’s get started with the first bison viewing area near Evergreen, Colorado.
The Buffalo Herd Overlook at Genesee Park near Denver
If you’re headed to the mountains, the Buffalo Herd Overlook at Denver’s Genesee Park might be the most efficient place to view bison.
About 24 to 36 bison graze in meadows covering about 504 acres (204 ha) at this Denver Mountain Park. These animals are descendants of the last wild bison herd resident in Yellowstone National Park. Initially located in Denver, the herd moved to the Genesee area in 1914.

Getting There: Genesee Park (26771 Genesee Ln, Golden, CO 80401)  is about 19 miles (30.6 km) west of downtown Denver, and the journey will take about 25 minutes in regular traffic. To get there, head west on I-70, look for the “Buffalo Herd Overlook” sign, and take Exit 254. The viewing area is just after the turn off the exit ramp.
Genesee Park and the Buffalo Herd Overlook have no entry fee. The Overlook provides a view of the North Bison Pasture. Two additional pastures are on the other side of the highway. The bison move freely between the three pastures via a tunnel under I-70. So if there are no bison at the Overlook, drive to the south side to try your luck there.
Consider scoping out bison on a hike on the trails of Genesee Park (south side of the highway). Even on relatively short hikes, visitors often report viewing bison. For example, this loop trail of 3.5 miles (5.6 km) is a good choice.Â

Denver’s Daniels Park
Near the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch, Daniels Park is another Denver Mountain Park hosting a bison herd. On the National Register of Historic Places, this park has several heritage features befitting a buffalo herd host:
- Present-day Daniels Park Road was the First Colorado Territorial Road, starting around 1861. This route for wagon and stagecoach travel connected Denver to Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and beyond.
- It was the site of Florence Martin’s Ranch. Several restored ranch buildings from the 1920s are visible from Daniels Park Road.
- The park houses the Tall Bull Memorial Grounds, an area set aside for use by Native Americans.
- A stone shelter built in 1922 was designed by J.J.B. Benedict, one of Colorado’s best-known architects (and architect of the Chief Hosa Lodge in Genesee Park).
- The park includes a monument honoring the site of the last campfire made by frontiersman Kit Carson.
- The park is a high point with an expansive vista of 100-mile (161 km) views.

Twenty bison from Genesee Park arrived in Daniels Park in 1938 to start the herd here. Today, about 25 bison roam in an 800-acre section of the park.
To search for the bison on foot, use the Daniels Park trail. This out-and-back route parallels the park’s road and provides access to a few overlook spots. Walking this trail at 1.5 miles (2.4 km) each way will allow a reasonable amount of time to look for and observe the powerful yet graceful bison. This trail map includes an additional section outside the park on the East/West Regional Trail, ending at the Grigs Road Trailhead. Overall, this longer route covers about 5.7 miles (9.2 km). Â

Getting there: Daniels Park is about 24 miles (38.6 km) south of Downtown Denver. The Official address is 8682 N Daniels Park Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135. There is no entry fee.
Denver Parks’s Commitment to Increasing Indigenous Bison Herds
Denver Parks used to auction off surplus bison annually. However, starting in 2021, these animals have been donated back to Tribal Nations. As of 2023, over 85 bison have been given to multiple tribes to acknowledge the bison’s significance to Native American culture. The recipient tribes are using the bison to restore their herds and revitalize the cultural role that the bison play within their communities.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Denver
This unique wildlife sanctuary in northeast Denver was once a weapons production facility. Now cleaned up and restored, it provides a haven for diverse wildlife, including the bald eagle and bison.
At 15,000 acres, the Refuge might seem overwhelming, but the car-based Wildlife Drive is a convenient and time-efficient way to see bison close up. The Wildlife Drive is 11 miles (17.7 km) and will take 45-60 minutes to complete.
Sixteen bison from the National Bison Range in Montana arrived at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge to start the herd. Since their introduction in 2007, the bison population has grown to over 180.

To make the most of the Wildlife Drive, download the audio tour (available in English and Spanish) before you arrive. The first part of the Wildlife Drive passes by lakes and trailheads, but once you enter the bison pasture area, you must remain in your car. Â
The Arsenal has miles and miles of hiking trails outside the bison pastures, so you may see bison from a distance if you go hiking.
I’ll also note the Visitor Center has a bison display as well as exhibits describing the the history of the Arsenal as a former weapons manufacturer.
Getting There: If you’re arriving or departing Denver by air, note that the main Refuge entrance (6550 Gateway Road, Commerce City, CO) is only a 30-minute drive from Denver International Airport. So, if you didn’t get a chance to see any bison while you were in town, you can make the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge your last stop before your flight.

Where to Stay Close to Bison Viewing in Denver
The three bison herds are in three distinct areas around the Denver metro area.
- To view lodging options near Evergreen’s Genesee Park, click here
- To view lodging options near Daniels Park, click hereÂ
- To view lodging options near the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, click hereÂ
You can also use the map below to search for lodging in and around Denver. Zoom out to see hotels near each bison stop:
Wrapping Up Places to See Bison Near Denver
Don’t miss the opportunity to observe these iconic animals while in Denver. Bison herds can be found at two Denver parks and a National Wildlife Refuge, so bison viewing is never too far away during your stay in Denver.
I created these pins so you can save this bison viewing information to your Pinterest boards.


Where will you see bison next?
Thank you for sharing, Greg
Thanks for stopping by, Greg!
I always enjoy driving by the herd off of I-70. I’ll have to check out the herd in Daniel’s Park, I wasn’t aware of that one.
I’ve had better luck seeing bison at Genesee than Daniels Park, but it’s still a nice park to visit regardless.
It always surprises me how many people don’t take precautions about wild animals seriously. We once saw a father trying to place a young child atop a bear to take a picture at Yosemte National Park in California.
Oh dear, that does sound unsafe. Yosemite is probably the place with the most bison injuries, as the bison are not behind any fences.
I didn’t really know bison was the national mammal of the USA, but it makes sense. Also, I love that we, as a species, can recognize the importance of all nature’s inhabitants, even those that can clearly be dangerous to us when we behave like idiots.
However, I was wondering about something. In 17 years, the Rocky Mountain bison herd enlarged 11 times. But at Daniels Park, since 1938, the herd has grown from 20 to 25 animals. What do you think could be the reason for such a slow growth of the population there?
I believe they keep the herd small on purpose so the amount of animals is optimal for the size of the pasture. In the past, this was accomplished, at least partially, by the yearly bison auction, and now by the donations to indigenous tribes.
Bison are no joke. Your disclaimer is so very important. I saw people in Yellowstone doing the same thing. That said, I wasn’t aware you could them so close to Denver (a city I really enjoyed)!
I hope you get to see the bison on your next trip to Denver!
I love seeing wildlife like this. I saw buffalo up close from my car in North Dakota, and it was so fun!
I agree, I could watch for hours!
I didn’t realize Denver had so many bison-viewing options. Great post.
Thank you Roxie!
A museum docent once told me that the bison was the Walmart for Native Americans!
That’s a really good insight!!