How can I share this Montana Grasslands Bison stream with friends?

Use the Share button below the player to copy the link or share directly to Facebook, X, WhatsApp, or email.

Can I take a snapshot of the bison while watching?

Yes! Click the Snapshot button under the player to grab a still image of what you’re seeing.

Where do my saved snapshots go?

If you have a free HDOnTap account, snapshots can be saved to your gallery on this page and in your global Snapshot gallery at hdontap.com/snapshots.

Can I watch past bison activity in a timelapse?

Yes, select the Timelapse button to view recent clips showing how the prairie has changed over time.

What does “Go Live” do after viewing a timelapse?

Click “Go Live” to return to the live camera feed from the Montana grasslands.

Why does the camera move sometimes?

This PTZ camera is occasionally operated by staff onsite who pan and zoom to locate bison across the wide prairie landscape.

Is the camera movement automatic or controlled by viewers?

It’s controlled by staff, not viewers, who manually reposition it to find the herd.

Does this stream include sound?

No, this camera does not transmit audio.

Does the video adjust quality based on my connection?

No, this stream uses a fixed bitrate rather than adaptive streaming.

What kind of bison are seen here?

These are American bison, a species native to the Great Plains, once nearly extinct but now thriving thanks to conservation efforts.

Where exactly is this camera located?

It’s set on the American Prairie Reserve in Montana, a vast conservation area dedicated to restoring native prairie ecosystems.

Why are bison important to the prairie ecosystem?

Their grazing helps maintain grassland health by encouraging plant diversity and creating habitat for other wildlife.

When is the best time to see the bison?

Early mornings and evenings tend to offer more movement, especially during cooler months.

How do the seasons change the view here?

Spring brings lush green grass; summer shows golden fields; winter often features snow-dusted plains with hardy bison grazing.

What other animals might appear on camera?

Viewers may spot pronghorn, deer, coyotes, or various prairie birds roaming through the scene.

Can I control or move the camera?

No, only onsite operators control the PTZ camera.

Why might the bison be hard to find sometimes?

They roam over thousands of acres, so the herd may move beyond camera range until operators locate them again.

How large can a bison herd get?

A full herd can include dozens to hundreds of animals, though only part may appear on camera at any given time.

What’s the best way to watch for bison movement?

Be patient and watch the horizon—movement in the distance often signals where the herd is heading.

Are these bison wild or managed?

They’re wild animals living freely within a protected prairie landscape managed for conservation.

Do bison live here year-round?

Yes, they remain on the prairie through all seasons, adapting to temperature extremes and weather shifts.

What makes Montana’s prairie special?

It’s one of the largest remaining stretches of intact grassland in North America.

Can I visit this location in person?

Yes, portions of the American Prairie Reserve are open to the public for viewing and recreation.

How far can the PTZ camera zoom?

It’s capable of zooming great distances to capture animals in far-off fields, though image clarity depends on conditions.

Why do clouds and lighting change so quickly here?

The wide-open prairie has big skies—shifting weather and sun angles create dramatic light changes throughout the day.

Does this camera run 24/7?

Yes, the live feed operates around the clock, though nighttime visibility may be limited.

Is the video ever delayed or frozen?

Yes, brief pauses may occur if your connection fluctuates since it’s not adaptive bitrate.

Do I need an account to watch?

No account is needed to view, but creating a free account unlocks extra features like saving snapshots and adding favorites.

What are the benefits of a free HDOnTap account?

You can save and share snapshots, manage your Favorites list, and join the community of live cam fans.

How do I mark this stream as a favorite?

Sign in, then click the heart icon to add it to “My Favorites” for easy access later.

Is there an ad-free viewing option?

Yes. HDOnTap Premium removes ads for a small fee.

How much does HDOnTap Premium cost?

Premium costs $4/month, $20 for 6 months, or $36/year, and you can cancel anytime.

Do ad-blockers affect stream playback?

Yes, ad-blockers can sometimes interfere with loading; disabling them ensures smooth playback.

Can I embed this stream on another website?

No, HDOnTap streams can’t be embedded due to secure token-based playback limited to authorized pages.

Who partners with HDOnTap for this camera?

The live view is hosted in collaboration with American Prairie, which manages the land and conservation programs.

Montana Grasslands Bison Live Webcam

Animals Bison Conservation Cam grasslands Montana Outdoor Wildlife Wildlife Refuge

LIVE

Watch Bison Live on the Montana Grasslands with Our Live Webcam

Brought to you by: American Prairie

Welcome to American Prairie, a vast and thriving nature reserve in Montana, home to one of the continent’s most iconic species: the bison. Through the Montana Grasslands Bison Live Webcam, you can observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat as they roam freely across the expansive prairie. The live webcam provides real-time views of the bison as they interact with their environment, offering you a unique opportunity to witness the critical role these animals play in shaping the prairie ecosystem.

American Prairie's Vision and Mission

American Prairie’s mission is to create one of the largest nature reserves in the United States, providing a safe refuge for wildlife and people alike, forever. The organization is made up of a diverse group of conservationists, scientists, and adventurers, all working together toward a shared vision: connecting people to the shortgrass prairie of Montana.

American Prairie operates on five key pillars:

Assemble the Land – Conserving the landscape to benefit both wildlife and people.
Focus on Biodiversity – Protecting one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems, the temperate grassland prairie.
Collaborate – Building partnerships with non-profits, Indigenous communities, local communities, land managers, and prairie enthusiasts.
Share with the Public – Ensuring that people appreciate the landscape and its inhabitants.
Donor Funded Organization – The support from the public fuels American Prairie’s mission, with a focus on responsible long-term spending.

This vision guides every effort at American Prairie, and the restoration of bison to the landscape is a major part of their mission.

The Importance of Bison in Montana's Grasslands

Once numbering in the millions across the Great Plains, bison—also known as buffalo—were nearly driven to extinction in the late 1800s. As the largest land mammal in North America, bison played a pivotal role in shaping the prairie ecosystem, from grazing on grasses to helping maintain the biodiversity of the region. Unfortunately, due to overhunting, their numbers dropped dramatically, and they are now considered “near threatened” and “ecologically extinct,” no longer fulfilling their critical role in prairie biodiversity.

In 2005, American Prairie reintroduced bison to their historic habitat in Montana, returning a species that had been absent for over 120 years. This effort to restore bison to the grasslands is crucial for the ongoing ecological recovery of the prairie, as these animals contribute to the health of the ecosystem by grazing, influencing plant growth, and even impacting the movement of other species.

Although there are current restrictions on herd sizes due to species designations and land use requirements, American Prairie's scientific research indicates that Montana’s grasslands could eventually support tens of thousands of bison. For now, the focus is on restoring the ecological role of bison in the landscape, rather than on specific herd sizes. Research, like the Vermejo Statement, estimates that a herd of 5,000 bison or more would contribute significantly to bison conservation and ecological recovery.

The American Prairie Enrico Education & Science Center

The Enrico Education & Science Center is an integral part of American Prairie, providing resources for research, education, and public outreach. Located in the heart of the prairie, the center is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the grasslands ecosystem, its inhabitants, and the critical role that bison play in preserving the landscape. The center also serves as a hub for community engagement, offering programs to help visitors connect with the wildlife and landscapes that make this area so unique.

Year-Round Weather at Montana Grasslands

The weather in Montana’s grasslands varies throughout the year, creating a dynamic and diverse environment for wildlife. Winters can be cold and snowy, with temperatures averaging from 20°F to 40°F (-6°C to 4°C). Snow is common, and the bison have adapted to these conditions, often seen grazing on the prairie even in the coldest months.

Spring and fall offer moderate temperatures, with highs ranging from 50°F to 70°F (10°C to 21°C), providing ideal conditions for observing bison and other wildlife. These seasons also bring vibrant changes to the landscape, from blooming flowers in the spring to colorful fall foliage.

Summers are warm and sunny, with temperatures reaching the 80s and 90s°F (27-35°C), making it a prime time to see bison and other wildlife thriving in the rich, green environment of the grasslands.

The Montana Grasslands Bison Live Webcam provides real-time footage of the prairie, capturing the changing weather and bison activity across the seasons.

Watch the Bison Live with Our Webcam

The Montana Grasslands Bison Live Webcam offers a dynamic, high-definition view of the bison as they graze, interact, and roam across the prairie. The pan-tilt-zoom camera moves between preset locations, allowing you to follow the bison as they travel through the landscape and experience the beauty of this vast ecosystem in real time.

The live webcam provides an immersive experience of American Prairie and its wildlife, with the opportunity to observe the bison up close, whether they are feeding, interacting with their young, or simply enjoying the open space.

Why Watch the Montana Grasslands Bison Live Webcam?

The Montana Grasslands Bison Live Webcam offers an invaluable opportunity to connect with the American Prairie and witness the ongoing restoration of bison to their historic habitat. Watching the bison in their natural environment provides a deeper appreciation for the role they play in the ecosystem and the efforts of American Prairie to restore balance to the landscape.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a conservationist, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the American West, the live webcam gives you a front-row seat to one of North America’s most iconic wildlife species.

Stay Connected to the Bison of American Prairie Anytime

Thanks to the Montana Grasslands Bison Live Webcam, you can enjoy the majesty of the bison and the expansive prairie at any time. Watch the bison live, observe the seasonal changes in the landscape, and connect with the incredible work of American Prairie—all from the comfort of your home.

Last Updated: October 6, 2025

Partners

American Prairie

American Prarie's mission is to create one of the largest nature reserves in the U.S. This will serve as a refuge for people and wildlife, forever. Their organization is comprised of conservationists, scientists and adventurers, joined in a common vision for connecting people to the short grass prarie of Montana.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I share this Montana Grasslands Bison stream with friends?: Use the Share button below the player to copy the link or share directly to Facebook, X, WhatsApp, or email.
Can I take a snapshot of the bison while watching?: Yes! Click the Snapshot button under the player to grab a still image of what you’re seeing.
Where do my saved snapshots go?: If you have a free HDOnTap account, snapshots can be saved to your gallery on this page and in your global Snapshot gallery at hdontap.com/snapshots.
Can I watch past bison activity in a timelapse?: Yes, select the Timelapse button to view recent clips showing how the prairie has changed over time.
What does “Go Live” do after viewing a timelapse?: Click “Go Live” to return to the live camera feed from the Montana grasslands.
Why does the camera move sometimes?: This PTZ camera is occasionally operated by staff onsite who pan and zoom to locate bison across the wide prairie landscape.
Is the camera movement automatic or controlled by viewers?: It’s controlled by staff, not viewers, who manually reposition it to find the herd.
Does this stream include sound?: No, this camera does not transmit audio.
Does the video adjust quality based on my connection?: No, this stream uses a fixed bitrate rather than adaptive streaming.
What kind of bison are seen here?: These are American bison, a species native to the Great Plains, once nearly extinct but now thriving thanks to conservation efforts.
Where exactly is this camera located?: It’s set on the American Prairie Reserve in Montana, a vast conservation area dedicated to restoring native prairie ecosystems.
Why are bison important to the prairie ecosystem?: Their grazing helps maintain grassland health by encouraging plant diversity and creating habitat for other wildlife.
When is the best time to see the bison?: Early mornings and evenings tend to offer more movement, especially during cooler months.
How do the seasons change the view here?: Spring brings lush green grass; summer shows golden fields; winter often features snow-dusted plains with hardy bison grazing.
What other animals might appear on camera?: Viewers may spot pronghorn, deer, coyotes, or various prairie birds roaming through the scene.
Can I control or move the camera?: No, only onsite operators control the PTZ camera.
Why might the bison be hard to find sometimes?: They roam over thousands of acres, so the herd may move beyond camera range until operators locate them again.
How large can a bison herd get?: A full herd can include dozens to hundreds of animals, though only part may appear on camera at any given time.
What’s the best way to watch for bison movement?: Be patient and watch the horizon—movement in the distance often signals where the herd is heading.
Are these bison wild or managed?: They’re wild animals living freely within a protected prairie landscape managed for conservation.
Do bison live here year-round?: Yes, they remain on the prairie through all seasons, adapting to temperature extremes and weather shifts.
What makes Montana’s prairie special?: It’s one of the largest remaining stretches of intact grassland in North America.
Can I visit this location in person?: Yes, portions of the American Prairie Reserve are open to the public for viewing and recreation.
How far can the PTZ camera zoom?: It’s capable of zooming great distances to capture animals in far-off fields, though image clarity depends on conditions.
Why do clouds and lighting change so quickly here?: The wide-open prairie has big skies—shifting weather and sun angles create dramatic light changes throughout the day.
Does this camera run 24/7?: Yes, the live feed operates around the clock, though nighttime visibility may be limited.
Is the video ever delayed or frozen?: Yes, brief pauses may occur if your connection fluctuates since it’s not adaptive bitrate.
Do I need an account to watch?: No account is needed to view, but creating a free account unlocks extra features like saving snapshots and adding favorites.
What are the benefits of a free HDOnTap account?: You can save and share snapshots, manage your Favorites list, and join the community of live cam fans.
How do I mark this stream as a favorite?: Sign in, then click the heart icon to add it to “My Favorites” for easy access later.
Is there an ad-free viewing option?: Yes. HDOnTap Premium removes ads for a small fee.
How much does HDOnTap Premium cost?: Premium costs $4/month, $20 for 6 months, or $36/year, and you can cancel anytime.
Do ad-blockers affect stream playback?: Yes, ad-blockers can sometimes interfere with loading; disabling them ensures smooth playback.
Can I embed this stream on another website?: No, HDOnTap streams can’t be embedded due to secure token-based playback limited to authorized pages.
Who partners with HDOnTap for this camera?: The live view is hosted in collaboration with American Prairie, which manages the land and conservation programs.

Montana Grasslands Bison Live Webcam

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