Montana Grizzly Encounter
Bozeman, MT
- Admission
- $13.50
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Montana Grizzly Encounter
2 confirmed
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Montana Grizzly Encounter say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Montana Grizzly Encounter
Montana Grizzly Encounter is a privately owned grizzly bear rescue and education sanctuary at 80 Bozeman Hill Road in Bozeman, Montana. According to the sanctuary, it provides a natural and spacious home for rescued grizzlies while educating visitors. It is not AZA accredited.
History
The sanctuary was founded in 2004. Its website says Casey Anderson, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, adventurer, and explorer born and raised in Montana, co-founded it at age twenty-six as a sanctuary for grizzly bears saved from inhumane situations. The website says Anderson has been featured on Nat Geo WILD, BBC, PBS, Travel Channel, and Discovery Channel.
Exhibits and habitats
The sanctuary says it currently houses three bears of varying ages and sizes, each with its own personality, and that all of its bears are fixed. After the ticket booth and parking lot, visitors walk to Grizzly Gifts, the entrance to the viewing area, passing the habitat of the sanctuary's Nigerian Dwarf Goats, which visitors may pet or feed tall grass. A deep dry moat and short electric fencing separate visitors from the bears, and the sanctuary states there is no direct contact between visitors and bears.
According to the website, the bears are rotated throughout the day so they can set their own schedules, and when not outside they use indoor dens with climate control, running water, toys, and other enrichment.
Conservation and programs
The sanctuary states a no breeding policy, with all bears fixed to prevent cubs. It states that it makes a lifetime commitment to each bear it rescues from the wild or a captive situation, and that, unlike black bears, rehabilitating grizzly bears is illegal and impractical in the United States. A staff member is present in the viewing area to provide education, and Keeper Talks are scheduled every hour on the half-hour, typically lasting about 35 to 45 minutes. School groups are welcomed free of charge by appointment. The sanctuary says all profits from its gift shops go to the care of the bears, and its events page lists an OctoBear Fest.
Planning your visit
As listed on the sanctuary's website, hours are seasonal and all hours are weather permitting. The spring schedule begins March 1 with opening Wednesday through Sunday; the summer schedule begins June 1 with opening Wednesday through Monday; the fall schedule begins September 1 with opening Thursday through Monday; and the winter schedule begins November 1 with opening Thursday through Sunday. Daily hours for each season are on the website. Ticket details are on the website. The phone number is 406-586-8893 and the email is info@grizzlyencounter.org.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Parking details
- Accessibility information
- Names of the current bears
Montana Grizzly Encounter compared with nearby zoos
How Montana Grizzly Encounter lines up against the closest zoos we have details for — useful if you're deciding between them for the same day out.
| Zoo | Distance | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana Grizzly EncounterThis zooBozeman, MT | — | $13.50 | Fall hours (from Sept 1): Thursday – Monday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; closed Tuesday & Wednesday. Weather permitting. Christmas Day 10 AM–1 PM. | — | No |
| Grizzly & Wolf Discovery CenterWest Yellowstone, MT | 71 mi | $17.50 | Open every day 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM; last entry 5:30 PM. Open 365 days including holidays. | — | Yes |
| ZooMontanaBillings, MT | 107 mi | $15 | 10:00am – 4:00pm | 70 acres | Yes |
| Yellowstone Bear WorldRexburg, ID | 142 mi | $27.95 | Open 7 days a week; gates open 9:00 AM, gates close 5:00 PM. Last day of the 2026 season is October 18. Drive-thru wildlife park. Closed for the season after October 18, 2026. | — | No |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Montana Grizzly Encounter: common questions
Is Montana Grizzly Encounter AZA accredited?
No. The sanctuary is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
How many bears live there?
The sanctuary says it cares for three rescue bears.
Can visitors touch the bears?
No. The sanctuary states there is no direct contact, with a dry moat and electric fencing between visitors and the bears.
Are there keeper talks?
Yes. The sanctuary lists hourly Keeper Talks on the half-hour, lasting about 35 to 45 minutes.
Can the bears be released to the wild?
The sanctuary states that rehabilitating grizzly bears is illegal and impractical in the United States, and that it makes a lifetime commitment to the bears it rescues.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.