The bison herd at this site is owned and managed by the City and County of Denver, despite being located in the foothills near Golden.
The pasture area covers roughly 280 acres of native grass habitat.
The herd is frequently rotated between this site and another nearby pasture to prevent overgrazing.
This location is part of the larger Genesee Park, which is the oldest and largest park in the Denver Mountain Parks system.
The bison observed here are descendants of original stock from the National Bison Range in Montana.
Buffalo Overlook is a public viewing area located directly off I-70 that provides a dedicated vantage point for observing a herd of American bison managed by the City and County of Denver. The herd occupies a fenced enclosure spanning approximately 280 acres of grassland at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills. This site serves as a conservation project, maintaining a genetic line of bison that historically roamed the plains. Visitors view the animals from a pull-off area situated above the pasture, allowing for safe distance between humans and wildlife. The location is an elevation-gaining point along the foothills, providing wide-angle views of the herd against the backdrop of Genesee Park.
The perimeter fence line of the overlook, which offers the clearest sightlines into the main grazing meadow.
Bring binoculars or a telephoto lens, as the bison are often grazing in the middle or far side of the large pasture.
Remain inside the designated overlook area and do not attempt to enter the fenced enclosure.
Check the weather before departing, as the overlook is fully exposed to the elements and can be significantly windier than the surrounding areas.
Do not pull over on the shoulder of the interstate; use only the designated pull-off and parking area.
Maintain a quiet demeanor to avoid startling the herd and adhere to all 'do not feed' signage.
