Montana is the Big Sky state and ranked as the fourth-largest state in the country but the third least densely populated state.
The capital of Montana is Helena, which was founded in the 1860s during Montana’s gold rush.
The state’s largest city is Billings, which is located in the south-central part of Montana.
Montana’s geography is diverse and characterized by rugged, untouched terrain that is home to bison, elk, bears, wolves, birds, and more.
The state, which also offers a wide variety of fish in its lakes and streams, is home to some of the country’s best wildlife parks.
While there are amazing opportunities to spot wildlife in their natural environment throughout this beautiful state – which is preferred by many, Montana has only a handful of zoos.
The reality is that some of Montana’s national parks, wildlife centers, preservations, and animal sanctuaries operate like large, wide-open zoos.
However, there are a few zoos to visit for those who want to get a bit closer to some furry friends in Montana.
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Montana Zoos
Zoo Montana
2100 Shiloh Rd, Billings, MT 59106
Zoo Montana is likely to be considered the closest traditional type of zoo in Montana.
The zoo, which first opened in the early 1990s, is among the state’s largest tourist attractions and is open all year, although the park’s operating hours change based on the season.
This zoo is the state’s only accredited zoo and botanical garden, with approximately 100,000 visitors each year.
In addition to being a zoo, this Billings-based facility is also a wildlife park that is connected to botanical gardens, an arboretum, and a special children’s zoo.
Zoo Montana’s sensory garden is an IBCCES Certified Autism Center.
Zoo Montana covers 70 acres and is home to many different creatures and animals living in natural habitats and environments.
Zoo Montana is home to a variety of animals, about half from the region and the rest from similar environs and climates, like the more northern latitudes of both Europe and Asia.
Some of the animals and birds that call Zoo Montana home include deer, sloths, red pandas, river otters, Siberian tigers, miniature donkeys, porcupines, eagles, ferrets, owls, and a large variety of waterfowl, among others.
Montana Grizzly Encounter
80 W Bozeman Hill Rd, Bozeman, MT 59715
The Montana Grizzly Encounter in Bozeman is a privately run education sanctuary and grizzly bear rescue site.
The Montana Grizzly Encounter was established in 2004 and was designed to offer a natural space/environment for rescued grizzly bears, who, for one reason or another, cannot be released into the wild with any chance of surviving.
The Montana Grizzly Encounter park’s operating hours vary by season.
While visitors aged 3+ pay an entrance fee, school groups on arranged tours visit the park free of charge.
The bears are offered a safe and scenic mountain setting and the best life at the Bozeman sanctuary, while the park operates as a public education center where school kids and others learn more about grizzly bears and the conservation of these fascinating creatures.
Opportunities are available at the Montana Grizzly Encounter for those interested in an internship or a volunteer.
The park offers educational playing cards that highlight:
- Wilderness Survival
- Yellowstone & The Grand Tetons
- American Wildlife
- Bear Wise
Bear-ology, plus a variety of other options, of which all proceeds go towards the care and enrichment of the bears that call Montana Grizzly Encounter home.
The National Bison Range
58355 Bison Range Rd, Missoula (nearest city), MT 59824
The National Bison Range (NBR), which was established in 1908, is unique in that it is a federal property held in trust for the CSKT – the Confederal Salish & Kootenai Tribes.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the NBR in accordance with the regulations for a national wildlife refuge.
The bison range, which covers more than 18,000 acres, is located in the middle of the Flathead Indian Reservation – which covers more than 1.2 million acres.
The operating hours for the National Bison Range vary, with longer hours during the summer months.
There are various tour options, including scenic automobile tours of the beautiful Flathead Indian Reservation.
In addition to bison, this sanctuary offers tens of thousands of acres for bighorn sheep, trumpeter swans, peregrine falcons, elk, and more.
In 2014, the CSKT drafted a restoration act which was incorporated into the Montana Water Rights Protection Act in 2019.
This act was incorporated into the federal 2021 Consolidations Appropriations Act, ultimately passed and signed into law – Public Law 116-260, in 2020.
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
201 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is an AZA, an American Zoo and Aquarium Association -accredited Wildlife Park & Educational Facility that is open daily throughout the year.
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a non-profit preserve that is located near Yellowstone National Park’s most western entrance.
Visitors to the discovery center will find a unique and exciting family and fun adventure by offering a new perspective from which to view grizzlies and wolves.
The bears at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center are kept in the park because they could not survive in the wild because they had become acclimated to human behavior – which is dangerous in the wild.
The purpose of the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is to educate visitors about the potential dangers of bringing human contact too close to grizzlies and the potential negative impacts it may have on the species as a whole.
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center offers a variety of exhibits, including the Banks of the Yellowstone River Otter Exhibit and Bears – Imagination & Reality – which is really a museum theater.
Check out the Naturalist Cabins for amazing views of wolves, or visit the Raptor/Bird of Prey exhibit and programs at the discovery center.
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary
615 2nd St E, Red Lodge, MT 59068
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is located within the larger Yellowstone Park at the bottom of Beartooth Highway.
The sanctuary offers an inside view into critters, animals, and creatures within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that cannot be released back into the wild because they have been injured, orphaned, or habituated.
This Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many animals, including hawks, vultures, bison, black bears, owls, cranes, crows, coyotes, snakes, bobcats, elk, lions, eagles, ravens, raccoons, red foxes, to name a few.
This Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is designed as an educational facility and offers unique and unmatched opportunities to learn more through observation as well as the sanctuary’s interpretive displays.
During the winter months (from January to March), the sanctuary is open for private guided tours only.
The park hosts events, animal encounters, and birthday parties during the rest of the year.
When visiting, note that the best time to see the animals is in the morning when they tend to be more active.
Montana Aquariums
Blue Zoo
Rogers, MT
The Blue Zoo, which is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA, now has another location in Rogers, Montana.
Blue Zoo was established in 2010 and offers inspirational, educational, and entertaining field trip options.
Blue Zoo offers opportunities to host birthday parties and other celebrations.
Visitors can buy daily or yearly passes, which is great for those who live nearby.
Blue Zoo’s interactive exhibits offer hands-on learning and fun.
Check out the dive show, animal feedings, and the exhibition where you can feed stingrays, angelfish, starfish, and other aquatic animals.
The animals and creatures who call Blue Zoo their home include sharks, octopuses, birds, reptiles, stingrays, and more.
6 Best Zoos & Aquariums in Montana – Summary Table
| Zoos & Aquariums | Address |
|---|---|
| Zoo Montana | 2100 Shiloh Rd, Billings, MT 59106 |
| Montana Grizzly Encounter | 80 W Bozeman Hill Rd, Bozeman, MT 59715 |
| The National Bison Range | 58355 Bison Range Rd, Missoula (nearest city), MT 59824 |
| The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center | 201 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone, MT 59758 |
| The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary | 615 2nd St E, Red Lodge, MT 59068 |
| Blue Zoo | Rogers, MT |
Montana Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Montana Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Wildlife Conservancies in Montana?
The Montana Wildlife Federation – offers public access while preserving and protecting wildlife in the state.
The Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge – offers a unique experience of the wildlife that inhabits the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. There are camping and rental cabins available.
The Nature Conservancy – is designed to protect the water and land upon which all life depends. This includes restoring the forests, protecting the prairies, and conserving freshwater in Montana.
Montana Wild – FWP – is administered by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission and offers programs, classes, and other educational opportunities. There are even distance learning options provided by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The Glacier National Park Conservation – operates as the non-profit fundraising arm of the Glacier National Park.
The Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge – in northeastern Montana lies between the Canadian border and the Missouri River. This Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1935 as an essential stopover for migrating birds.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest – with over 3 million acres, this is the largest national forest in the state.
Are there volunteer opportunities for children and adults at Montana’s zoos and aquariums?
Zoo Montana – this Billings-based zoo encourages enthusiastic volunteers to reach out.
Montana Grizzly Encounter – volunteers are needed to help continue the work at the Montana Grizzly Encounter.
The National Bison Range – the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes offer volunteering options on the range.
The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary – the sanctuary is always looking for helpful volunteers.
Are Montana’s Zoos and Parks Open All Year?
Except for a few major holidays and inclement weather, most of the zoos in the state are open year-round.
What is the Matador Ranch in Montana?
The Matador Ranch, which is maintained by Montana’s Nature Conservancy, is located on some of the most prime mixed-grass prairies (exceeding 60,000 acres in Dodson, Montana – north-central Montana) found anywhere across North America.
The Matador Ranch operates as a research hub for grassland conservation.
The Matador Ranch is also helping to conserve family ranching and wildlife.
The land offers environmental support to grassland birds, which are unfortunately facing declining populations.
In addition, the land offers a refuge for black-tailed prairie dogs.
Check out the Wildflower Walk, a guided tour with a rangeland ecologist.
