The park itself is not gated and is open 24 hours a day year round with the exception of rare road closures during extreme winter weather.
Bighorn Canyon Visitor Centers
Bighorn Canyon has two visitor centers. They are three hours apart in different districts.
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.
Construction of the Yellowtail Dam was completed by by the Bureau of Reclamation. This dam, named after the famous Crow chairman Robert Yellowtail, harnesses the waters of the Bighorn River and turns this variable stream into a magnificent lake. This visitor center offers a variety of displays focused on the building of the dam and the functions of the dam.
Physical Address
Rte 210 Fort Smith, MT59035
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 7458 Fort Smith, MT59035-7458
To reach the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center, take Montana Highway 313 southeast from Hardin to Fort Smith. Continue straight through Fort Smith and continue on the road (stay left at the fork after Ft. Smith, drive past the government camp, and the Bureau of Reclamation office), continuing up the hill until you see the visitor center located near the top of the dam.
Closed today
Current Hours (Closed for winter)
September 7–May 27
Every Day:Closed
This visitor center is open during the summer only (Memorial Day through Labor Day). It is closed from Tuesday after Labor Day through Friday before Memorial Day and there is no way to view the Dam during this time.
Standard Hours
Every Day:Closed
The Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center will be closed for the 2024 Season due to low staffing and road projects. We hope to reopen for the 2025 Summer Season. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Closed for winter
September 7–May 27
Every Day:Closed
This visitor center is open during the summer only (Memorial Day through Labor Day). It is closed from Tuesday after Labor Day through Friday before Memorial Day and there is no way to view the Dam during this time.
This phone is only answered seasonally while the VC is open (Memorial Day - Labor Day). During the off-season please call 307-568-5406 for more information.
This is the view from the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center NPS, Jen Prentiss
Our beautiful overlook provides amazing views of the Yellowtail Dam. NPS Photo
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.
Physical Address
20 US Highway 14A East Lovell, WY82431
Mailing Address
20 US Highway 14A East Lovell, WY82431
The Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center is just east of Lovell, Wyoming, at the junction of US Highway 14A and US Route 310.
Sunday and Monday:Closed
Tuesday-Saturday:8:30 AM–4:30 PM
The visitor center includes authentic historic exhibits about the ranches, Native American life and artifacts, as well as information about regional geology and geography, the river before the dam, and a large relief map of the park and surrounding areas. In addition to the bookstore, there is a small theater that includes various free programs about the wild horses, canyon geology, and other local interests.
