National Bison Day

National Bison Day is observed on the first Saturday in November — November 7 in 2026 — and celebrates the American bison, the national mammal of the United States. It is a day to honour an animal that has become a symbol of the American West and of one of the most remarkable wildlife comebacks ever recorded.

On National Bison Day, conservation groups, national parks, tribal nations, and wildlife lovers across the country take a moment to appreciate the bison’s story: from tens of millions roaming the plains, to the brink of extinction, to a hard-won recovery that continues today.

What is National Bison Day?

National Bison Day is the annual celebration of the American bison, the largest land mammal in North America and, since 2016, the official national mammal of the United States. The day falls on the first Saturday in November each year, which puts it on November 7 in 2026.

The observance brings together ranchers, conservationists, tribal leaders, educators, and families. Events on National Bison Day often include guided walks to see bison herds, educational talks about prairie ecology, and fundraisers for bison restoration projects.

The history behind National Bison Day

To understand National Bison Day, it helps to know the bison’s history. Bison once numbered in the tens of millions across North America, shaping the grasslands they grazed and sustaining Indigenous peoples and cultures for thousands of years.

By the late 1800s, commercial hunting and habitat loss had reduced the great herds to a few hundred animals. It was one of the fastest and most complete wildlife collapses in recorded history — and it very nearly ended in extinction.

Conservation efforts turned the tide. The American Bison Society, founded in 1905, helped rally public support for the species. National parks and wildlife refuges protected surviving animals, and tribal herds preserved bison on Native lands. Slowly, herd by herd, the bison came back.

In 2016, that recovery was recognised at the highest level when the bison was officially designated the national mammal of the United States — joining the bald eagle as a living symbol of the nation. National Bison Day gives that symbol its own annual moment in the spotlight.

How to mark National Bison Day

There are many ways to observe National Bison Day, whether you live near bison country or far from it:

• Learn about bison conservation. Read about the herds in national parks like Yellowstone and the tribal herds restoring bison to Native lands and prairies.
• Visit a bison herd. Many wildlife refuges, parks, and ranches keep bison. Seeing these enormous animals up close is unforgettable.
• Explore a museum exhibit. Museums of natural history and the American West often feature bison in their displays.
• Support conservation organisations. Groups working to restore bison to tribal lands and prairies welcome donations and volunteers.
• Share the story. Tell someone the bison’s comeback story — it is one of conservation’s greatest success stories.

Why National Bison Day matters

National Bison Day matters because the bison’s story is still being written. While the species has recovered from the brink, bison still face challenges: limited habitat, fragmented herds, and the long work of restoring wild, free-roaming populations to the prairie.

The day also honours the deep connection between bison and Indigenous peoples, for whom the animal has sustained life, culture, and spirituality for generations. Tribal-led bison restoration is one of the most hopeful chapters of the modern conservation story, and National Bison Day is a moment to recognise it.

Finally, National Bison Day is a reminder of what conservation can achieve. A species reduced to a few hundred animals now numbers far more — proof that determined, sustained effort can pull wildlife back from the edge.

Key facts about the American bison

• The American bison is the national mammal of the United States, designated in 2016.
• Bison once numbered in the tens of millions across North America.
• By the late 1800s, hunting and habitat loss had reduced them to a few hundred.
• The American Bison Society was founded in 1905 to help save the species.
• National parks such as Yellowstone protect some of the most famous wild herds.
• Tribal herds are restoring bison to Native lands across the West.

Frequently asked questions about National Bison Day

When is National Bison Day?
National Bison Day is observed on the first Saturday in November each year. In 2026, that is November 7.

What is the national mammal of the United States?
The American bison, officially designated in 2016.

Are bison and buffalo the same animal?
In North America the two names are often used interchangeably for the same animal, but the American bison is the correct name for the species celebrated on National Bison Day.

How can I help bison conservation?
Visit herds responsibly, support conservation organisations, and learn about tribal-led restoration efforts bringing bison back to the prairie.

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