Though many famous songs, sayings, and city names may have you thinking otherwise, scientifically speaking there are technically no “buffalo” in North America. The correct name for the large ungulate you find here is “bison”. But we’re not ones to nitpick, and many common animal names are misnomers, like jellyfish that aren’t fish, koala bears that aren’t bears, and killer whales that are actually giant dolphins.

So, whether you call them bison or buffalo, if you’d like to learn a little more about these storied creatures, we’re here for you. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite information about the national mammal of the United States and our favorite places to go see them—in the national parks.

Where They Live

Bison thrive in the prairie and grasslands. It’s believed that they once roamed as far south as Mexico, as far North as Alaska, and nearly coast to coast in the U.S. with populations estimated around 60 million in the 1800s. There were few states where you couldn’t find herds. Now, the publicly and privately managed herds that remain are few and far between, though restoration efforts have been immense. Many national parks of the West have herds of bison and offer excellent opportunities to view them in their natural habitat.

Yellowstone National Park has the largest herd in the U.S. and the 5,400 bison roam freely across the park’s 2,000,000+ acres. You’ll often encounter some of them crossing or following roads or meandering through geyser fields; you don’t have to be too intentional about tracking them down. If your time at the park is limited, you can always ask the rangers for recommendations for viewing a herd the day you are there. 

Grand Teton National Park just south of Yellowstone has a much smaller herd of 500 bison, but also offers excellent viewing opportunities. We recommend cruising the Kelly Loop/Antelope Flats area for wildlife viewing.

Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota has the most diverse free-roaming herd left in the U.S. In addition to enjoying bison-dotted vistas, you will be awed by Wind Cave’s famous boxwork formations within its vast cave system.

Badlands National Park in South Dakota doesn’t bring to mind thriving greenery, but it is actually home to idyllic grasslands supporting a herd of 1,000 bison within the park.  

Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is home to two small but healthy herds of bison. You are likely to encounter them as you drive through the park. In the South unit, you may also encounter the park’s herd of feral horses.

Wood Buffalo, Canada’s largest national park, lives up to its name. It is home to half the world’s population of the endangered wood bison (approximately 3,000 head). The wood bison are cousins to the plains bison that are found in the U.S. 

Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada is the only national park with herds of both plains and wood bison. The rangers can offer tips on the best times and locations to spot bison from each herd.

The Most Important Rule: Don’t Pet the Bison

While bison often appear peaceful, calm, and even “cow-like”, the national park herds are truly wild. Bison are unpredictable and despite their slow appearance, they can charge at over 35 miles per hour. They are the largest land mammal on the continent, so if you’re thinking about how soft they look or how cute they’d be in a selfie, consider instead what 2,000 pounds going 35 mph would feel like on impact. Give them plenty of space and enjoy watching these beautiful creatures from afar.

Bison Problems Past & Present

The bison of today are a mere shadow of their ancestors. In the 1800s, the bison population in North America reached an estimated 60 million, then plummeted to fewer than 1,000 due to the rapid spread of European settlers and the aggressive hunting and military policies of the time. The ecological impact of essentially removing the largest mammal from the food chain can still be felt. 

There are only 15,000 wild bison left (though 400,000+ are raised on private ranches). Today’s bison lack genetic diversity, leaving them both susceptible to disease and less resilient to environmental changes. The herds in Wood Buffalo and the Greater Yellowstone region are known reservoirs for brucellosis, a disease that can spread amongst bison, elk, and domestic cattle . Yellowstone has implemented bison management practices in partnership with local tribes to mitigate disease spread and maintain the herd responsibly. There are many initiatives at the national level as well that bring hope for a bright future for bison populations everywhere.

Still feeling bison-curious? Check out this great informational piece put together by the folks at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.