Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
2 comments 
More Than A Series Location, Chief Joseph Ranch Has Indigenous History, Connections With Explorers, And Has Become A Tourist Destination For Franchise Fans
The world of “Yellowstone” is not just made up of dramatic scripts. One of the most striking elements of the series — the Dutton family ranch — is also real. And it has history. Located in the state of Montana, in the U.S.nds, Chief Joseph Ranch is the original setting used in all the seasons of the franchise. But what few fans know is that the place goes far beyond the cameras.
Long Before TV, There Was History On The Ground
Long before it became a filming location for Paramount, the area was occupied by Indigenous peoples. According to the Chief Joseph Ranch’s own website, the Salish tribe lived in the region for hundreds of years.
Today, this people, along with the Pend d’Oreille and Kootenai, total more than 7,000 members and are located in the Flathead Reservation, further north.
-
With 74% of companies facing difficulties in hiring, technicians and engineers in renewable energy are becoming scarce in Brazil and are essential to support the expansion of solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects.
-
Historic bankruptcy of Centauro shocks the market, and the century-old company puts more than 500,000 products, machines, and complete infrastructure up for online auction.
-
New shoe factory in Ceará is expected to create 400 jobs and strengthen the local economy.
-
No one imagined it, but a mixture of sawdust with a mineral that fights fires surprises scientists with a result that changes the course of fire-resistant construction.
The ranch’s land was part of a trail used annually by the Nez Perce people, also known as Nimiipuu. They would cross the area toward the south, heading to the Big Hole Valley to hunt bison. This same trail still exists, running west of the main cabin and continuing to the barns.
In 1805, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark also passed through the area during their famous expedition to the west of the country.
The Ranch’s Name Is A Tribute To An Indigenous Chief
In 1877, Chief Joseph led his Nez Perce people on a flight of over 1,800 kilometers after being forced to leave their lands.
The escape route crossed through the land of the current ranch, which years later would adopt its name in tribute to this historic crossing.
In the 1880s, settlers occupied the area. Initially, the place was called Shelton Ranch. In 1914, it was purchased by businessman William S. Ford and Judge Howard Clark Hollister from Ohio.
They transformed the space into a summer retreat. They built a log structure of 560 square meters and the famous three barns.
Over time, the property had different owners. It was used for grazing, dairy production, and even became partially abandoned. It was only in the 1950s that it officially received the name Chief Joseph Ranch.
From The Series To Real Accommodations For Fans
Currently, the ranch belongs to Shane Libel and his family, who have lived on the property since 2012. Besides being used as a filming location for the series “Yellowstone,” the site also serves as accommodations.
It is possible to rent one of the two available cabins: Lee Dutton and Rip Wheeler. Both were built in 1916. In the series, they are used by characters. In real life, they served as housing for staff.
The cabins offer beds, bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. All the decor is made of wood, with a rustic style, reminiscent of the series’ environment.
The Lee Dutton cabin accommodates up to eight people. The daily rate costs US$ 1,400 for four guests, with an additional US$ 50 for each extra person. The Rip Wheeler has a similar structure, but costs US$ 1,700 per night.
Tours, Fishing, And Construction Curiosities
The reservation includes a guided tour of the ranch and access to 1.6 km of river for fishing. The main mansion is not available to visitors, as it is the home of the Libel family.
The structure of the main cabin is impressive. It was built with giant logs and a large stone shell. The roof was made using a single tree. There are also original Tiffany lamps from the time of construction.
Shane Libel has joked about the impact of living where the series is filmed. In an interview with TV Insider, he shared that a staff member was afraid of being “branded” with a hot iron, as occurs with characters in “Yellowstone.” He revealed: “I sit there and realize that for millions of people, my home is the essence of Montana.”
The End Of ‘Yellowstone’ Does Not Mean The End Of The Ranch
Even with the end of the main series in 2024, the “Yellowstone” universe will continue with new productions.
And the ranch — the only “character” present in all seasons — remains a strong symbol of the narrative. And now, also as a tourist destination for the most passionate fans.
With information from Aventuras na História.
Amo a série 🙂 Amei saber disso sobre aquele lugar! 🙂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😍😍😍
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!