West Yellowstone is the charming gateway town to Yellowstone National Park. Explore the area in the winter for an outdoor family-friendly adventure you'll never forget.

State officials say they're worried about bison passing on disease to cattle outside the park—but wildlife managers say it's never happened before.

"In the 1960s, Yellowstone National Park (YNP) threw active herd management to the wind," the lawsuit reads further. “The bison population boomed, spilling brucellosis-infected bison into Montana and forcing the State to pick up YNP's slack in order to protect its livestock industry from the disease."

State warns that it could rescind ‘tolerance zones’ that allow bison to wander out of the park without being hunted.

Department of Livestock and FWP join Gov. Gianforte in suing the park over its plan to increase the park’s bison population and increase tolerance for bison presence outside of park boundaries.

The bison plan was finalized in 2024 amid protests from the Gianforte administration, first outlined in a 17-page letter in 2023.

Montana officials filed a lawsuit on Dec. 31 in U.S. District court alleging that the DOI and NPS have failed to keep bison populations in check at Yellowstone National Park. NPS officials say the park can support a larger herd,

Bison in Yellowstone National Park may seem calm, but approaching them is extremely dangerous. Learn why these massive animals should always be admired from a safe distance and the steps to ensure your safety while visiting the park.