Chief Joseph Ranch near Darby, Montana, home to the Dutton family in the series, is ordinarily open to the public for accommodation, but due to the popularity of the show, the ranch is booked out for months in advance.
Writer, director and executive producer Taylor Sheridan brought in his own personal horses from Wyoming for the cast to use during filming.
The Chief Joseph Ranch, a 150-acre spread located in the Bitterroot Valley, is the stand in for Dutton ranch. As for Chief Joseph name itself, it most likely refers to the head of the Nez Perce Indians, who fought valiantly against the Federal government in the nineteenth century.
The World Championship Indian Relay Races is held annually in Sheridan, Wyoming. It dates back to 1931,during the years of the Great Depression, designed to drum up activity for the town. The sport originates with Plains Native American tribes stealing horses when they were at war with each other.