Bison meat has become popular in the United States, and for guests interested in bison in northwest Montana, Lakeside Motel & Resort offers a local connection right on the menu. Lakeside Motel & Resort’s Knuckles restaurant features a substantial Handhelds menu, and one of its standout options is the Western Bison Burger, made with bison locally sourced from Harlow Ranch Bison Company.

For many diners, bison feels familiar because it is similar to beef. It is a red meat with a hearty flavor, and it works especially well in a burger. But bison also has nutritional differences that help explain why more people are paying attention to it. In addition, the land-regenerative nature of a bison herd adds to the attention bison ranches are receiving.

Why Bison in Northwest Montana Is a Nutritious Choice

According to nutritional comparisons shared by the National Bison Association, 100 grams of cooked bison has 143 calories, compared with 201 calories for cooked Select beef and 283 calories for cooked Choice beef. The same chart lists cooked bison at 2.42 grams of fat per 100 grams, compared with 18.54 grams for Choice beef. That means bison has about 87 percent less fat than Choice beef.

Bison also offers strong nutrient value. Per 100 grams of cooked meat, the National Bison Association chart lists bison at 3.42 milligrams of iron, compared with 2.72 milligrams for Choice beef, which means bison has about 26 percent more iron than Choice beef. It also lists bison at 2.86 micrograms of Vitamin B-12, compared with 0.33 micrograms for skinless chicken, which means bison has roughly 766 percent more Vitamin B-12 than skinless chicken.

For visitors exploring bison in northwest Montana, the Western Bison Burger at Lakeside is more than a regional menu item. It is a way to enjoy a leaner red meat with meaningful nutritional advantages.

Bison in Northwest Montana and the Land around Them

The story of bison in northwest Montana is not just about providing a delicious and nutritious protein source. It is also about the land. The National Bison Association describes bison as naturally suited to regenerating healthy soils and grasslands through their grazing behavior. Bison grazing can stimulate new plant growth, and because bison eat some plants while leaving others, their grazing patterns can help support plant diversity and balance.

Their manure and urine add nutrients back into the soil, while hoof action can stir the ground and bury seeds, potentially helping new plants grow. Healthier grasslands matter because they can become more resilient. The National Bison Association notes that grasslands shaped by bison can be more drought resistant because different plant root depths allow water to be accessed in different areas/levels of the soil.

In other words, bison can be part of a natural cycle where grazing, fertilization, seed movement, and plant diversity work together. That is one reason the subject of bison in northwest Montana can fit so well into conversations about local food, regenerative agriculture, and responsible land stewardship.

Interesting Facts about Bison in the United States

The numbers behind bison farming are also interesting. According to the National Bison Association’s “Bison by the Numbers,” the 2022 USDA Census counted 1,986 private U.S. ranches and farms raising bison, with 192,477 bison living on these private ranches and farms.

In 2023, roughly 80,000 bison were harvested in the United States, a number the association connects to bison farming’s role in sustainable meat production. For comparison, the U.S. beef industry harvested about 125,000 cattle each day.

The same source notes that a bison cow’s gestation period is about 270 to 285 days, and a newborn calf may typically weigh about 40 to 50 pounds.

Harlow Ranch and Bison in Northwest Montana

Lakeside’s connection to bison in northwest Montana comes through Harlow Ranch Bison Company in Thompson Falls, Montana. The ranch has been stewarded by the family for more than 100 years, and the family introduced bison as part of a goal to regenerate the land from the soil up.

The ranch describes its practices around healthy soil, healthy plants, and healthier animals, and its homepage describes Harlow Ranch Bison Company as a regenerative bison ranch focused on raising healthy soil, grass, and bison.

Lakeside’s restaurant, Knuckles, sources bison from Harlow Ranch Bison Company. The family-owned-and-operated ranch follows practices that are regenerative to the land and humane to the bison, making the Western Bison Burger a local menu item with a deeper story behind it.

Touring a Northwest Montana Bison Ranch

For travelers who want to experience bison in northwest Montana beyond the restaurant table, Harlow Ranch Bison Company also offers ranch tours by appointment and when weather allows. Tours last about one hour, and guests are driven through the bison herd.

During the tour, the truck stops so visitors can watch as the bison are fed. Guests also learn about the bison and how the herd plays an essential role in the ranch’s land-regenerative practices.

The tour truck has space for four people in the cab and eight people in the protected back section. Visitors are encouraged to take photos of the herd, ask questions, and learn more about how bison contribute to the ranch’s approach to land care.

The Harlow Ranch Bison Family Festival

Since 2023, Harlow Ranch Bison Company has also held an annual Bison Family Festival. For 2026, the festival is scheduled for Sunday, July 12, from 12 pm to 5 pm Mountain time. Admission is free.

The festival includes free bison tours, two food trucks, and arts and crafts. For additional information, visitors can call (406) 500-5328 or email info@harlowranch.com.

For anyone interested in bison in northwest Montana, the festival offers a family-friendly opportunity to see the ranch, learn about bison, enjoy local food, and connect with the story behind one of the area’s most interesting local meat sources.

Stay Near Bison in Northwest Montana at Lakeside Motel & Resort

For travelers interested in bison in northwest Montana, Lakeside Motel & Resort works well as a one-stop lodging venue in the region. Lakeside is located in Trout Creek on the shores of Noxon Reservoir, with mountain views and access to northwest Montana outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, and hunting.

Lakeside also offers flexible accommodations for different types of travelers. Guests can choose from motel rooms, cabins with fully equipped kitchens, and two waterfront RV sites. The cabins provide a comfortable option for guests who want more space and the convenience of preparing meals during their stay, while the RV sites offer a scenic waterfront option for travelers bringing their own setup.

A Convenient Restaurant, Local Food, and an Overall Northwest Montana Experience

The convenience continues with Lakeside’s on-site restaurant. Knuckles serves breakfast, an “all-day” menu, and dinner, with hearty approachable meals designed for travelers, guests, and locals coming in after a day of driving, outdoor adventure, or work.

The menu includes breakfast items, handhelds, dinners, salads, soups, appetizers, and drinks, making it easy to settle in without leaving the property. For guests interested in local flavor, the Western Bison Burger offers a direct connection to bison in northwest Montana through Harlow Ranch Bison Company.

That makes bison in northwest Montana more than a regional attraction. It becomes part of the larger Lakeside experience: a lakefront stay, a hearty meal at Knuckles, a locally sourced Western Bison Burger, and the opportunity to learn more about the ranching practices behind bison and the meat they provide.

Whether guests are passing through Trout Creek, staying at Lakeside, planning a visit to Harlow Ranch, or simply looking for a memorable Montana meal, Lakeside Motel & Resort offers a welcoming and flavorful place to begin.

Sources:
Harlow Ranch Bison Company. harlowranch.com. 27 May 2026 (Accessed). https://harlowranch.com/, https://harlowranch.com/about, https://harlowranch.com/ranch-tours.
National Bison Association, “A Strong, Growing Business; Bison: A Thriving and Exponential Journey to Success.” nationalbison.org. 27 May 2026 (Accessed). https://nationalbison.org/a-strong-growing-business/.
National Bison Association, “Bison by the Numbers; From Plains to Plates: Insights from Bison Data and Stats.” nationalbison.org. 27 May 2026 (Accessed). https://nationalbison.org/bison-by-the-numbers/.
National Bison Association, “Bison Regenerative by Nature; Bison Are Caretakers of the Earth. Naturally.” nationalbison.org. 27 May 2026 (Accessed). https://nationalbison.org/bison-regenerative-by-nature/.
National Bison Association, “Nutritional Benefits of Eating Bison.” nationalbison.org. 27 May 2026 (Accessed). https://nationalbison.org/nutritional-benefits-of-eating-bison/.