House Rock Buffalo Ranch, Grand Canyon North Rim

The buffalo at House Rock Ranch in the Grand Canyon National Park (north rim) give an exclusive chance for guests to watch free-range buffalo in their normal habitat. This fascination brings in over one hundred visitors each month, depending on road and seasonal conditions. In fact, most prefer the summer or spring when the weather is cooler, but still bearable.

The Grand Canyon National Park's House Rock Ranch houses about a hundred free-grazing buffalo on its north rim. Tourists can enjoy watching them in their happiest moments, and this alone attracts visitors from across the state, especially during the warmer months.

The Ranch was pioneered by a famous character from Arizona history, Charles C.'Buffalo' Jones, a notorious mountaineer, scout, buffalo hunter and aboriginal fighter. Despite his many buffalo kills, he had enough foresight to know that one day the buffalo would deplete in numbers and need protection. So, in 1906, Charles gathered a herd together and transplanted them onto the Kaibab Plateau, where they grazed as a sort of experiment, being crossbread with cattle, not far from Bright Angel Point. However, the herd was finally sold to the state and moved to their current location, the House Rock Ranch.

Located in the stunning House Rock Valley, the ranch covers over sixty thousand acres of prime grazing land. Varied corrals and outbuildings are in place, and visitors are welcomed to enjoy not only ranch cuisine, but gaze upon these large creatures and the other wildlife that wanders through daily.

Admission is free, and any offer of a helping hand is always welcome. However, permission is needed to feed the buffalo.