The vast, wild landscape of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers visitors unparalleled opportunities to immerse themselves in the natural world, and experience the wonders of this extraordinary place. With over 120,000 acres, one can find an astounding diversity in ecosystems, wildlife, and more than 10,000 years of human history to explore.
Photo: Sharron Genaux
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
- LocationLovell, WY
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
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Weather now60°F Sunny
- Alerts 2 active alerts
Overview
Topics
- Ancient Seas
- Animals
- Archeology
- Architecture and Building
- Arts
- Astronomy
- Birds
- Bison
54 more topics
- Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
- Canyons and Canyonlands
- Cats (wild)
- Cavalry
- Caves, Caverns and Karst
- Colonization and Settlement
- Commerce
- Dams
- Elk
- Engineering
- Explorers and Expeditions
- Farming and Agriculture
- Fire
- Fish
- Foothills, Plains and Valleys
- Forests and Woodlands
- Forts
- Fossils and Paleontology
- Freshwater Springs
- Geology
- Groundwater
- Homesteading
- Indian and Frontier Wars
- Indigenous and Native Warrior
- Industry
- Lakes
- Migrations
- Military
- Mining
- Mountains
- Native American Heritage
- Natural Sounds
- Night Sky
- Painting
- Photography
- Poetry and Literature
- Ranches
- Rare
- River and Riparian
- Rock Landscapes and Features
- Scenic Views
- Schools and Education
- Thickets and Shrublands
- Tortoises and Turtles
- Trails
- Tribal Conflicts
- Unique Species
- Wars and Conflicts
- Water Trails
- Waterfalls
- Watersheds
- Westward Expansion
- Wilderness
- Women's History
Alerts (2)
Park ClosureNo Water Available at Ok-A-Beh Marina - Flushing Restrooms Closed Due to a water shortage, flushable toilets are currently unavailable at the Ok-A-Beh Marina. Vault toilets are available… Read more
Due to a water shortage, flushable toilets are currently unavailable at the Ok-A-Beh Marina. Vault toilets are available at the upper parking lot and a floating restroom is available on the courtesy dock.
CautionBighorn Lake Elevation is Below 3625ft When lake levels are below 3625, boaters are advised to avoid areas south of Horseshoe Bend and the South Narrows due to… Read more
When lake levels are below 3625, boaters are advised to avoid areas south of Horseshoe Bend and the South Narrows due to low water levels. Throughout the year, lake water levels fluctuate greatly. Hazards and launching abilities change with the water levels. Please use caution when recreating on Bighorn Lake.
Things to Do
47 activities. Pick one to find other parks that offer it.
- Hiking
- Camping
- Wildlife Watching
- Scenic Driving
- Stargazing
- Astronomy
- Fishing
- Boating
- Paddling
- Biking
- Swimming
- Guided Tours
Show 35 more activities
- Birdwatching
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Picnicking
- Arts and Culture
- Auto and ATV
- Boat Tour
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Canoe or Kayak Camping
- Canoeing
- Compass and GPS
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Dining
- Fly Fishing
- Food
- Freshwater Fishing
- Freshwater Swimming
- Front-Country Hiking
- Hunting
- Hunting and Gathering
- Jet Skiing
- Kayaking
- Motorized Boating
- Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
- Park Film
- Playground
- Road Biking
- Sailing
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Shopping
- Skiing
- Snow Play
- Snowshoeing
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Theater
Camping
7 campgrounds listed on Recreation.gov. Check availability and current conditions before you go.
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Afterbay Campground
Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground
- Near Fort Smith, Montana - Open All Year - 22 RV and tent sites are located on the south shore of Afterbay lake - All sites have fire rings and picnic tables…
Details
- Near Fort Smith, Montana - Open All Year - 22 RV and tent sites are located on the south shore of Afterbay lake - All sites have fire rings and picnic tables - Composting vault toilets - All sites are back in (not pull through) - All sites have electric and water - RV dump station available across the road near the Headquarters building -
Barry's Landing & Trail Creek Campground
Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground
Barry's Landing & Trail Creek campgrounds are located on the south district near Barry's Landing, 27 miles north of Lovell, WY on HWY 37. - Open All Year - 14 RV sites…
Reservation websiteDetails
Barry's Landing & Trail Creek campgrounds are located on the south district near Barry's Landing, 27 miles north of Lovell, WY on HWY 37. - Open All Year - 14 RV sites, 16 tent sites - Most RV sites are small for a 28 ft RV or smaller - Vault toilets only, no running water or electricity -
Black Canyon Campground
Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground
Black Canyon is a boat-in-only campground located five lake miles from the Ok-A-Beh boat ramp. Black Canyon occasionally closes due to aggressive bear activity as a…
Details
Black Canyon is a boat-in-only campground located five lake miles from the Ok-A-Beh boat ramp. Black Canyon occasionally closes due to aggressive bear activity as a result of receiving food rewards from campers. Check the "Alerts" page for any closures within the park. And remember, Do Not feed or approach any wildlife. - Open All Year - Docks in seasonally (Memorial Day - Labor Day) - 17 tent sites -
Dayboard 9 Campground
Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground
This small boat in only campground is located at Dayboard 9, approximately 9 miles south of Okabeh Marina. During the summer season (Memorial Day - Labor Day) this…
Details
This small boat in only campground is located at Dayboard 9, approximately 9 miles south of Okabeh Marina. During the summer season (Memorial Day - Labor Day) this location features a courtesy dock and floating comfort station. The primitive gravel campsites include picnic tables, bear boxes, and fire pits.
Show 3 more campgrounds
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Grapevine Campground
Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground
- Near Fort Smith, Montana - Open All Year! - 14 RV and tent sites are located on the north shore of Afterbay lake - RV sites are back in (not pull through) - All sites…
Details
- Near Fort Smith, Montana - Open All Year! - 14 RV and tent sites are located on the north shore of Afterbay lake - RV sites are back in (not pull through) - All sites are handicapped accessible, have fire rings, and picnic tables - Vault toilets are accessible - There are no RV hookups - Trash cans available seasonally (May-Oct) - RV dump station and drinking water available across Afterbay lake near the Headquarters building and Afterbay Campground -
Horseshoe Bend Campground
Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground
- Located near Lovell, WY - Open All Year - All sites include fire pit and picnic table. - 68 RV and tent sites - 28 sites have water and electrical hook-ups. Water is…
Reservation websiteDetails
- Located near Lovell, WY - Open All Year - All sites include fire pit and picnic table. - 68 RV and tent sites - 28 sites have water and electrical hook-ups. Water is only guaranteed at these sites Memorial Day to Labor Day, but may remain on, weather dependent. Electricity remains on year-round. - 3 pull through sites - Modern Restrooms, RV dump station and drinking water are available - Horseshoe Bend Marina, boat ramp, swim beach, and picnic less than 1 mile hike from the campground -
Medicine Creek Campground
Not reservable on Recreation.gov Campground
Medicine Creek campground is a boat-in or hike-in only campground. It is approximately 3 miles north of Barry's Landing by land or water. - Open All Year - Lake level…
Details
Medicine Creek campground is a boat-in or hike-in only campground. It is approximately 3 miles north of Barry's Landing by land or water. - Open All Year - Lake level affects the proximity of the boat mooring to campsites
Facilities & Services
Find visitor services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Other Visitor Services
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Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center (Lovell, WY)
Facility
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…
20 US Highway 14A East, Lovell, WY (307) 548-5406 Directions
Details
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.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Open 24 hours, daily · Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Hours details
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Bighorn Canyon National Recreation AreaOpen 24 hours, daily
Bighorn Canyon NRA is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Weather
60°F
Sunny · feels like 56°
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Today
66° 44°
Sunny7% rain
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Tomorrow
77° 51°
Sunny2% rain
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Saturday
63° 50°
Sunny4% rain
Updated 3 hr ago
What to expect by season
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.
Contact the park
Photos
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Bighorn Sheep Overlooking the Canyon — Klein Photo Collection -
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Getting There
Lovell, WY 82431
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.
Full directions
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.
Mailing address: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area South District Visitor Center, Lovell, WY 82431
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