Mary‘s Cafe is a beloved 1950s-style diner in Bismarck, North Dakota, serving up hearty comfort food and retro vibes. With its vintage charm and mountain of pie slices on display, it’s easy to imagine the Yellowstone cast sliding into a booth at Mary’s for some down-home cookin’. But did the hit show actually film at this local legend? Let’s unveil the truth.
No, Yellowstone Did Not Film at the Real Mary’s Cafe
While it may look fittingly rustic, the real-life Mary’s Cafe is not a Yellowstone filming location. The show films primarily in Montana and Utah to authentically capture the Western setting.
However, there is a brief “Mary’s Cafe” scene in Season 1, Episode 8. In it, Kevin Costner’s John Dutton takes his kids to grab some grub. This gives the impression that it was shot at the famous spot in North Dakota.
But it turns out this scene was filmed at the historic Bowman’s family homestead in Livingston, Montana. The ranch dates back to the late 1800s and offered the perfect period-accurate vibe. So Yellowstone recreated an old-timey Mary‘s Cafe aesthetic right on site!
Yellowstone Filming Locations in Montana
Montana‘s unspoiled natural beauty makes it the primary filming hub for Yellowstone. Shooting is centered in Livingston and surrounding Park County, chosen for its low population, open landscape, and abundance of historic buildings and barns.
Specific Montana hotspots include:
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Chief Joseph Ranch – Site of the iconic scene where Kayce confronts protesters at the Yellowstone entrance. This beautiful mountain ranch doubles as the Dutton home.
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Emigrant – Just north of Paradise Valley, this quaint town hosts several scenes across both seasons.
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Chico Hot Springs – The mineral hot springs and saloon here serve as backdrops.
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Bozeman – A major city near Livingston that offers additional filming options.
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Big Sky – Home to some of the most sweeping Montana vistas featured on the show.
Notable Utah Filming Locations
In addition to Montana, Yellowstone taps into the red-hued beauty of Utah for shooting backdrops:
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Kanab – Site of the fiery Season 1 climax where the Dutton‘s cattle were killed, with over 300 bison wrangled for the scene.
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Zion National Park – Provided a variety of breathtaking natural settings over both seasons.
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Midway – Quaint rural town that substitutes for Montana on occasion.
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Heber City – Hosted some ranch and frontier town shoots.
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Park City + Moab – Known for fantastic crew lodging during location shoots.
Filming Challenges and Adaptations
Shooting such a sprawling story across Montana and Utah‘s natural expanses brings unique challenges:
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The crew must carefully transport over 100 horses needed for scenes featuring the ranch‘s livestock.
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They have to traverse remote areas while lugging heavy equipment for outdoor shoots in the mountains and plains.
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Weather delays are common due to the temperamental climate in Montana and Utah.
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Dense tourist crowds in places like Zion National Park make filming tricky. They often shoot in off-peak seasons to avoid crowds.
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The team has gotten creative with special effects, using CGI to erase modern traces like power lines in wilderness panoramas.
Costner‘s Ranch: Myth vs Reality
A common misconception is that Yellowstone films at Kevin Costner‘s ranch. In fact, Costner does not own property in Montana where the show is primarily shot. The exception was some Season 1 filming on a small corner of Costner‘s acreage in Aspen, Colorado.
But the main Dutton Ranch location is actually Montana’s scenic Chief Joseph Ranch. At over 94,000 acres, it perfectly represents the type of massive rural real estate Costner’s character would own. However, Costner himself is not involved in the ranch scenes.
Beyond Montana and Utah: Additional Filming Spots
Aside from the two main states, Yellowstone has ventured to a few other select locales:
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The majority of all indoor scenes and backyard views are shot at a studio in Mexico City. This allows for controlled filming conditions.
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New Mexico provided key indoor scenes too. The Santa Fe Loft in Roswell stood in for John Dutton’s home office for dining talks.
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Texas offers up space to film large crowds of livestock. The 6666 Ranch in Guthrie lets producers recreate big scenes like cattle drives.
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For the modern Riggins family home, a few scenes were captured in Carefree, Arizona to represent their lavish residence.
Revisiting Iconic Filming Locations
Let’s look back on some of the most memorable Montana and Utah filming sites:
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The train station entrance scenes were shot in downtown Livingston at the stately Old Faithful Bar building.
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Kayce’s tense wolf encounter took place at the replica frontier town of Old Faithful Village in Island Park, Idaho.
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During the Season 1 finale, the burning of the Dutton lumber supplies was filmed at the Elijah Cutler mill site in Utah’s Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
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The ranch bunkhouse interior and yard scenes take place at a private Livingston residence dressed to look like a bunk.
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For the flashback scenes of a young Beth riding horses, they used a private ranch near Bozeman.
Behind the Scenes of Rip‘s Breakfast for Beth
In an emotional scene, Rip cooks his love Beth a meaningful breakfast of French toast and bacon. This offers a candid peek at their relationship. Let‘s look at how they likely filmed this scene:
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The kitchen was specially constructed on a soundstage since most cast homes are just exteriors.
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Field experts say the bacon was possibly undercooked for effect, then swapped out to avoid eating raw meat.
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Multiple takes were required to nail Beth‘s delighted reaction and natural dialogue timing.
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The French toast likely had to be replaced frequently as it cooled under hot lights.
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Between takes, set catering refreshed the actors with snacks to power through the simple but impactful scene.
Touring Filming Locations With One Day in Montana
If you only had 24 hours to experience iconic Yellowstone filming sites in Montana, here’s a suggested itinerary:
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Start your day before dawn to watch the sunrise over Chief Joseph Ranch. Marvel at the natural beauty that serves as the Dutton homestead.
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For breakfast, stop at Pine Creek Cafe in small town Paradise Valley. Fuel up on coffee, pastries and Western hospitality.
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Drive up to Chico Hot Springs mid-morning when the light is ideal for photos. Have lunch on the patio of their authentic saloon.
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In the afternoon, take the historic walking tour of downtown Livingston. See buildings used in the show like the train station.
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End your day with dinner at the rustic 2nd Street Bistro in downtown Livingston. Chat with locals about their experiences with the production.
Cost of Staying at the Real Chief Joseph Ranch
In Yellowstone, the Duttons live large on their sprawling Montana ranch. But what would it actually cost to have your own Western retreat at the real Chief Joseph Ranch filming site?
As a high-end dude ranch, prices are definitely not cheap. But you‘re paying for a premium, private escape:
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For one night in the Lodge House (sleeps 12), prices start around $5,000.
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A 2-bedroom River House suite will run you $3,500 per night.
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Cabins for 2-10 people range from $900-$2,500 per night.
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Weekly rates offer discounts, usually starting around $14,000.
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Activities like horseback riding, fly fishing and clay shooting cost extra.
So living like the Duttons for just a few days at Chief Joseph Ranch could easily top $10k-$15k or more. It’s luxury lodging in a dramatic Montana landscape.
Tourism Impact: Visiting Yellowstone Country
With stunning vistas and drama galore, it‘s no surprise Yellowstone has sparked major tourism interest in Montana and Utah. Local economies are seeing a surge of visitors hoping to see filming sites and experience the natural beauty that inspired the show‘s setting:
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In Montana, the state has reported a 50% jump in Yellowstone-influenced tourism in recent years, generating over $70 million annually.
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Small businesses around filming hotspots have benefited greatly from increased customer interest, with some even theming their decor and menus around the show.
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Amid the influx, conservation efforts are also increasing to protect the fragile natural areas that draw so many. Maintaining the beautiful landscape is a priority.
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Local residents have mixed feelings on the crowds, happy for the economy boost but hoping to maintain their way of life.
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With such a dramatic uptick in visitors, officials are focused on spreading the impact across more filming regions so individual towns don‘t get overwhelmed.
Visiting Paducah, Texas Near Yellowstone
While Paducah, Texas isn‘t seen in the show, visitors can still get a taste of Texas ranch culture in the Yellowstone region:
Brazos Family Restaurant – Hearty steaks, barbecue ribs, chicken fried steak and more Lone Star specialties. Their coconut cream pie is legendary!
Hull‘s Steak House & Grill – Casual spot for juicy burgers and hand-battered onion rings with a house-made burger sauce.
Cotton Patch Cafe – Dependable breakfast joint serving giant 20-ounce coffees to fuel up for the day. Their breakfast enchiladas are a must-try.
Tejas Steakhouse – Elevated dining experience with the finest hand-cut steaks and wine pairings in an upscale setting. Worth a special night out.
The Duke‘s Steakhouse – Relaxed local hangout with half-pound burger challenges and taxidermy on the walls to embrace that Western spirit.
Experience the Spirit of Yellowstone
While the Dutton ranch itself isn‘t open for tours, you can channel your inner cowboy by exploring Yellowstone country like this:
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Book a ranch stay or dude ranch experience – Many ranches offer all-inclusive packages with riding, roping, delicious ranch food and comfy accommodations.
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Go glamping – Stay in an amazing teepee, yurt, cabin or decked-out RV to experience Montana‘s beauty from your campsite while still having amenities and comfort.
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Take a horseback tour – Ride through incredible landscapes with an experienced wrangler guiding the way. Tours range from a few hours to full days.
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Drive scenic byways – Cruise breathtaking routes like the Beartooth Highway and Going-to-the-Sun Road to fully appreciate the sweeping views.
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Try cowboy activities – Live out your Western dreams with fun experiences like riding ATVs, shooting clay pigeons, and competing in a team cattle sorting competition.
Recreating the Ranch: Yellowstone-Inspired Recipes
Good grub is essential at the end of a long day on the ranch. Bring the Yellowstone ranch experience home by cooking up scenes from the show:
Beth‘s Breakfast:
- Brioche French Toast
- Thick-cut bacon or breakfast sausage
- Fresh summer berries
- Homemade mint iced tea
Kayce‘s Lunch:
- Smoked brisket sandwiches
- Potato salad with bacon
- Iced cold beer
Beth‘s Dinner Spread:
- Herb-roasted chicken
- Buttermilk mashed potatoes
- Skillet green beans and bacon
- Cornbread with honey butter
- Whiskey peach cobbler
Rip‘s BBQ Dinner:
- BBQ ribs
- Loaded baked potatoes
- Grilled corn with melted butter
- Ranch salad
- Homemade lemonade
Kayce‘s Campfire Stew:
- Hearty venison stew
- Cast iron skillet cornbread
- Beer
- S’mores made with dark chocolate and dried huckleberries
Final Thoughts
I hope this inside look at the Yellowstone filming locations has shed some light on how and where the Dutton ranch comes to life. It takes a massive team effort across stunning Montana and Utah terrain to authentically capture the Western spirit.
While fans can’t gallop around Costner’s personal ranch, there are endless possibilities to explore Yellowstone country for yourself. From visiting sets to dining local to trying ranch experiences, you’ll find wide open spaces, fresh mountain air, rich history and warm hospitality awaiting you in Big Sky country.
So pack your boots and ready your cowboy hat. The world of Yellowstone is closer than it seems!
