Wildlife
Big Sky is abundant in both wildlife and natural scenic beauty. With its location being only 30 minutes north of Yellowstone's northern border, it shares many of the same natural assets.
Bring a pair of binoculars, a guidebook, water and your camera! You will be witness to the last intact ecosystem of the contiguous United States. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is unmatched in beauty and its biodiversity.
The best part about visiting Big Sky is you can go anywhere outside and be in an expansive natural, preserved area. Take a scenic lift ride at Big Sky Resort, drive just a short distance to Yellowstone National Park, or simply take a walk around the town. Here is just short list of who and what you may see!
- Moose - The largest of the deer family and easy to spot along rivers and marsh areas.
- Elk - Famous for their bugle calls during rut season
- Bighorn Sheep - The rams sport horns that weigh more than all their bones together!
- Grizzly Bears - They only inhabit 2% of their original habitat in the US, but you have a great chance of seeing one while visiting Big Sky.
- Bison - Some say bison, others say buffalo. The correct scientific name is Bison.
- Gray wolf - Once endangered, the gray wolf has made a steady comeback to this region.
- Mule Deer - These deer have HUGE ears to help them hear predators from far away.
- Pronghorn - The fastest land mammal in North America
- Wildflowers - Carpets of wildflowers dot the Big Sky area all summer long.
- Keep a safe distance from wildlife.
- Leave what you find.
- When hiking, stay on trails only.
- When viewing wildlife or flowers, park in roadside pullouts only. If traveling on foot, stand on durable surfaces only.
- Pack out what you pack in. While toilet paper biodegrades eventually, others (human or other animals) will still find it in the meantime.