Bison Paddock

Bison Paddock is a small wildlife stop in the western part of Golden Gate Park, at 1237 John F. Kennedy Drive. From benches outside the enclosure, you can watch American bison graze, rest and move around at their own pace. The herd has lived in the park since the 1890s, a surprising sight among San Francisco’s gardens, lakes and trails. Give the animals time to come into view, and treat this as a quiet, brief stop rather than an interactive animal encounter.

A bison herd in Golden Gate Park

Bison have been kept in Golden Gate Park since the 1890s. The paddock is in the park’s western section, near the intersection of John F. Kennedy Drive and Chain of Lakes Drive. The animals are behind a fence, with benches outside where you can pause to watch them.

The enclosure covers about three acres. Its open grass and the size of the animals make for an unusual sight in a city park. A plaque provides information about the bison and their history here.

Watch from outside the fence

The herd may be grazing, resting or mingling, and its activity can change during your visit. Sometimes the animals are settled farther from the fence, so give yourself a little time to look around. Walking along the fence to the left may improve your view; the bison may also come closer in late afternoon.

Keep to the visitor side of the fence and avoid treating the animals as an interactive exhibit. Bison are wild animals, and the paddock is a place to observe them at a respectful distance. The stop is easy to pair with a walk or bike ride through the western end of Golden Gate Park.