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Published research provides a framework for adjusting stocking rate calculations for uneven grazing distribution. Global positioning system (GPS) tracking was used to evaluate if commonly used stocking rate adjustments reflect actual cattle movement patterns in a variety of landscapes. A total of 159 cows were tracked for 1 to 4 months at 7 ranches in New Mexico, Arizona, and Montana. At a ranch with rolling terrain and numerous water locations cows spent 92% of their time within 1609 m from water. At two other ranches with only one water source, cows spent 41 to 57% of their time between 1609 and 3218 m from water and 1 to 11% of their time greater than 3218 m from water. At ranches containing a significant amount of gentle terrain, cattle spent less than 20% of their time on slopes over 10%. However, at 2 mountainous ranches (average slope > 20%), cows spent 33% and 74% of their time on moderate slopes (11 to 30%) and 10% and 14% of their time on slopes greater than 30%. Although vertical distance to water clearly affects grazing distribution, only one study reported its impact on forage utilization and suggested that cattle did not use areas over 80 m vertically from water. Cows at two ranches spent 17% and 28% of their time over 80 m vertically from water. Managers should be cautious when using published grazing distribution adjustment in stocking rate calculations. Cattle that are adapted to local conditions may readily use moderate slopes and areas that are far (horizontally and vertically) from water, which would negate the need to reduce stocking rates in areas over 1609 m from water and slopes over 10%. Stocking rate adjustments based on actual field measures of distribution rather than published values are likely more accurate.