Artist in Residence, Greg Wise Welcome to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area!Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers visitors oustanding opportunities to experience natural and cultural resources in an environment largely free from human-caused disturbances. The preserved landscape provides unobstructed views of the canyon, surrounding mesas, mountain vistas, and distant scenic features. The secluded location and lack of large urban areas nearby result in minimal impact from light pollution, allowing excellent views of the dark night sky. Visitors also have opportunities to experience wilderness solitude with little disturbance from modern sounds or other intrusions while exploring the parks 15 hiking trails and 4 historic ranches.PLEASE NOTE: This park is separated into two districts which are not directly connected. Driving time between the districts is approximately three hours. Please note the great opportunities each district has to offer, plan your trip accordingly, and get directions.
This park is separated into two districts which are not directly connected. Driving time between the districts is approximately three hours. Please note the great opportunities each district has to offer and plan your trip accordingly. The Lovell WY visitor center is open year round.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area South District Visitor Center 20 US Hwy 14A Lovell, WY 82431
This park is separated into two districts which are not directly connected. Driving time between the districts is approximately three hours. Please note the great opportunities each district has to offer and plan your trip accordingly.
The North District in Fort Smith, MT is mostly water based recreation and includes: - Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center (Open Memorial Day to Labor Day) - Park Headquarters - Ok-A-Beh Marina (Open Memorial Day to Labor Day) - Afterbay Reservoir, Boat Launch, and Campgrounds - Three Mile River Access The South District in Lovell, WY is largely land based recreation and includes: - Cal Taggart Visitor Center (Open year round) - Horseshoe Bend Marina (Open Memorial Day to Labor Day) - Devil Canyon Overlook - Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range - 12 hiking trails - Four historic ranches open to self tours - Horseshoe Bend, Barry's, and Trail Creek Campgrounds Bighorn Canyon has two districts that are separated by a three hour drive. To get to the North District at Fort Smith, MT from Billings, take Interstate 90 south to Hardin, MT. Turn at exit 495 onto State Highway 313 to St. Xavier and then to Fort Smith, Montana. To get to the South District at Lovell, WY from Billings, MT, take Interstate 90 west. Turn at exit 434 at Laurel, MT. Turn onto US 310 East/US 212 South. Turn at US 310 East to Lovell. The visitor center is on the east side of Lovell. North District: Semi-arid, receiving 18 to 20 inches of rain annually. South District: High-desert, receiving 6 to 10 inches of rain annually. Summer temperatures: Highs in the 80s (F) and 90s (F), lows in the 50s (F) and 60s (F). Summer temperatures can peak over 100 degrees. Winter temperatures: Range in the 20s and 30s with low temperatures averaging the 10s (F) and 20s (F). During the winter the thermometer can drop below 0 (F) with extreme wind chill factors. DAILY PASS: As of May 25, 2018, Bighorn Canyon has suspended their fee program. Visitors no longer need to purchase a Daily Pass. CAMPGROUND FEES: is running the Horeseshoe Bend Campground and Trail Creek Campground at Barry's Landing as part of a pilot program under a Commercial Use Agreement. Utility sites and non-utility sites are available at Horseshoe Bend. All sites at Trail Creek are non-utility sites. FEDERAL LANDS PASSES: Federal Land Passes may be purchased online. Entrance Fee-free This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required. Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center (Lovell, WY. South District)The visitor center includes various exhibits and programs ranging from a large regional relief map, to films about the wild horses, canyon/area geology, and authentic historic displays. Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center (Fort Smith, Montana. North District)The Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center is on the Fort Smith, MT District and is only open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Public WiFi is available.
The Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center in Lovell, WY and the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center in Fort Smith, MT both have public WiFi access. Note, the Yellowtail Dam VC is only open Memorial Day-Labor Day, however the VC in Lovell, WY has accessible WiFi year round. Cell phone service in the park is very limited and dependent on the carrier. |
Last updated: May 15, 2023