The Bighorn River provides world class fishing opportunities in Montana.
NPS Photo
North District - Fort Smith, MT
Top 5 things to do:
Fish the Bighorn River - If you like fishing, you'll LOVE the Bighorn River. Providing world class fishing opportunities, anywhere between 8,000 to 10,000 trout can be found per mile. There is no wonder to why this is the most fished river in the state of Montana.
Boating on Bighorn Lake - The waters of Bighorn Lake await boaters who come to ride between walls, cliffs, and spires that tower over 500 feet above the lake. The recreation opportunities on a boat trip along the lake are amazing. Water ski, fish, camp or enjoy the sights. This is truly an unforgettable trip!
Viewing Yellowtail Dam – Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Yellowtail Dam visitor center is open to the public seven days a week. Walk to the back of the visitor center to look through the glass windows at a truly stunning view. The Yellowtail Dam stands 525 feet high, damming the Bighorn and backing the lake up behind it for 71 miles.
Camping at Black Canyon – Could there be a prettier spot. Black Canyon's grandeur has few rivals. Towering sandstone cliffs rise above the lake. The campground sits where the lake turns to a clear stream. Spend a night enjoying the crisp, cool canyon air while experiencing the beauty Black Canyon evokes.
Ranger Led Programs- Throughout the summer National Park Service Rangers give programs at the Afterbay campground theater, at Ok-A-Beh Marina, and along our hiking trails. Learn about the history of the Crow Nation, historic river trips, the bears of Bighorn Canyon, floating the Bighorn, and more. The natural and cultural history of Bighorn Canyon comes to life as past, present, and future intermingle at these programs.
North District Trip Itineraries
Only have one hour on the North District in Fort Smith, Montana?
During the months of May-September, we invite you to step back in time with a visit to the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center.
Next, enjoy a scenic drive on Ok-A-Beh road with stunning 360 views of the landscape around the canyon. It is an out and back drive that starts on Highway 313 and ends at Ok-A-Beh Marina.
If you haven't used up your hour, take a hike on the Head Gate Trail which highlights a stone and mortar structure built by the Crow Indians to control the flow of water into the Bighorn Ditch.
Have half day at the North District in Fort Smith, Montana?
Spend some time on the water. Bring your own kayak and immerse yourself in the canyon from Ok-A-Beh Marina to Black Canyon and back.
Too much work? Rent a boat from Ok-A-Beh Marina and soak in the canyon. Visit the Boating page for more information.
With a full day at the North District in Fort Smith, Montana, take the time to truly explore the park.
Bring your camper or tent and plan to stay at one of our two campgrounds, Grapevine and Afterbay.
Bring your binoculars and sense of adventure. Schedule your full day boat rental with Ok-A-Beh Marina. Spend the day looking for wildlife along the shoreline and enjoying the water.
Before you get the campfire roaring in the evening, check the calendar to see if there is a ranger-led campground program or enjoy the variety of birds on the Afterbay Lake.
View of Bighorn Canyon from near Devil Canyon Overlook.
Courtesy: Zachary Hubbard
South District - Lovell, WY
Top 5 things to do
Boating on Bighorn Lake – The waters of Bighorn Lake await boaters who come to ride between walls, cliffs, and spires that tower over 500 feet above the lake. The recreation opportunities on a boat trip along the lake are amazing. Water ski, fish, camp or enjoy the sights. This is truly an unforgettable trip!
Visit Devil Canyon Overlook – In a word: Stunning. Drive up to the Devil Canyon overlook just off the park road (Wyoming Hwy. 37), park your car, walk ten yards, and look down hundreds of vertical feet at the shimmering waters of Bighorn Lake. To understand how the river carved the canyon over millions and millions of years, Devil Canyon is a must see.
Fishing Bighorn Lake - Walleye and sauger are two of the most sought after species of fish in the 71 mile long waters of Bighorn Lake. Anglers have their choice of literally thousands of secluded spots along both the lake and shore. All this plus incredible scenery.
Visit the Historic Ranches - There are four historic ranches which tell the story of ranching history in the American West. From the wild, legendary days of the open range to the beginning of tourist dude ranches, these symbols of a not so long ago past tell a story of hope and hardship in one of the most rugged landscapes in North America.
Take a Hike - With over 25 miles of trails there are a plethora of options all over the South District. Try the State Line Trail which straddles the Wyoming-Montana border and leads to amazing views of the canyon.
South District Trip Itineraries
Don't have a lot of time to spend in the South District?
Stop at the Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center in Lovell, Wyoming. Chat with a ranger, watch the park film, or look at the exhibits.
Take a scenic drive to the Devil Canyon Overlook! Towering 1,000 ft above the water, take in some stunning canyon views. On the drive, you have an excellent chance of seeing bighorn sheep, wild mustangs, and a variety of birds.
Have a couple of hours to burn?
Stop at the Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center in Lovell, Wyoming. Chat with a ranger, watch the park film, or look at the exhibits.
Take a scenic drive to the Devil Canyon Overlook! Towering 1,000 ft above the water, take in some stunning canyon views. On the drive, you have an excellent chance of seeing bighorn sheep, wild mustangs, and a variety of birds.
Continue the scenic drive to Barry's Landing. Adding this stop increases your chance of catching a glimpse of a black bear!
Want to spend half a day at Bighorn Canyon?
Stop at the Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center in Lovell, Wyoming. Chat with a ranger, watch the park film, or look at the exhibits.
Take a scenic drive to the Devil Canyon Overlook! Towering 1,000 ft above the water, take in some stunning canyon views.
Hike Sullivan's Knob! Located past the Devil Canyon Overlook, this .75mi round trip hike offera a view of the canyon and a chance at a "triple echo"!
Explore the Ewing-Snell Ranch. Take a trip down memory lane as your stroll through the once bustling ranch. Enjoy a shaded picnic, or just meander.
Attend a Ranger Program. Ask the ranger at the visitor center desk for the program schedule, or check out our calendar.
Do you have a full day to spend in the South District?
Stop at the Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center in Lovell, Wyoming. Chat with a ranger, watch the park film, or look at the exhibits.
Take a swim at Horseshoe Bend! Bask in the sun or cool off in the water at the swim beach! The beach is located just off the parking lot of the Horseshoe Bend Marina.
Stop at the Devil Canyon Overlook! Towering 1,000 ft above the water, take in some stunning canyon views.
Hike the Lower Layout Creek trail. Located just before the Ewing-Snell Ranch, follow the horse and bighorn sheep trails for wildlife and canyon viewing.
Explore the Lockhart Ranch. Transport yourself to the Wild West as you stroll through Caroline Lockhart's, the Cattle Queen of Monana's, ranch.
Attend a Ranger Program. Ask the ranger at the visitor center desk for the program schedule or take a look at our calendar.
