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The black‐tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) is a keystone species of North American short‐ and mixed‐grass temperate grasslands with critical importance for multiple species of conservation concern. Low population numbers due to habitat and social constraints as well as disease require conservation and management actions. To identify potential habitat and future relocation sites, we evaluated 6 statistical techniques to predict the optimal resource selection function model for black‐tailed prairie dog habitat in 3 Native nations of Montana. Random forest models performed best across our study area and included grass coverage and climatic and topographic variables as the most important predictors of prairie dog occupancy. Using predictive habitat models in conjunction with land‐use designations can refine conservation planning to support wildlife population objectives where there are foundations for long‐term success. Our analysis also serves as a guide for assessing habitat suitability, connectivity, and restoration for additional species dependent or interconnected with black‐tailed prairie dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]