Established in October 1966, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area was established after the construction of the Yellowtail Dam was completed.
Built by the Bureau of Reclamation and named after Crow chairman Robert Yellowtail, the dam and resulting lake have turned a once variable river into a popular recreation area in Montana and Wyoming.
Stretching nearly 60 miles through Montana and Wyoming, and 55-miles running through Bighorn Canyon, the recreation area encompasses more than 70,000 acres of land, now dedicated to preserving beautiful vistas and an expansive system of canyons.
The Recreation Area has two visitor centers, one in Montana and one in Wyoming. Facilities in the Recreation Area are located near Fort Smith, Montana, and Lovell, Wyoming.
Within the recreation area, some of the best fishing on the Bighorn River is just below the Yellowtail Dam in Afterbay Lake. Trout fishing is popular here as is bird watching. The lake is home to numerous waterfowl species.
Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area is one of the lesser known and visited places in the National Park System. Filled with amazing scenery, wildlife, and recreational activities, this recreation area offers visitors a quieter experience, fewer people, and a slower pace that many of us love.
Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area Stats
- Size – 120,296.22 acres
- Season – All year
- Largest Lake/Forest – Bighorn Lake
- Number of campsites – 100+
Main Attractions
The main attractions in Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area include:
Bighorn Lake
Created by the damming of the Bighorn River following the construction of the Yellowtail Dam, Bighorn Lake is a popular place for wildlife viewing, water sports, and enjoying amazing views.
Boating on the lake is one of the most popular activities for visitors. You can bring your own boat or rent one from the marina. Boat rentals range from houseboats to kayaks and canoes.
There are also plenty of campgrounds around the lake that allow you to enjoy the serenity of the lake with your own private view.
Devil’s Canyon Overlook
The Devil’s Canyon Overlook is one spot in the Bighorn Canyon Recreation area that you cannot miss.
With views of the junction of the Bighorn and Devil Canyons, you’ll be amazed by the colorful canyon walls, cliffs that rise 1,000 feet above the water, and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities.
Make sure to keep your eyes open for the canyon’s namesake bighorn sheep and mountain goats that scale the canyon walls.
Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range
The first nationally designated place providing a home and place to roam for wild horses, the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range is home to around 120 wild horses that roam the Pryor Mountains near the Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area.
The Wild Horse Range is also home to many other types of wildlife including deer and bighorn sheep.
Within the Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area, you can access overlooks and viewing vistas in the Range that will give you opportunities to see the wild horses in their natural habitat.
The inner parts of the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range can be accessed from the Recreation Area, but a 4-wheel drive vehicle is necessary.
Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area Recreational Activities
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area plays host to more than 200,000 visitors every year. The Recreation Area has many recreational activities to enjoy.
The most challenging part of your visit to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area may be deciding which activity to take part in first.
Boating
Cast off from the marina or boat launch into the lake and Bighorn Canyon. From the water, you’ll experience the awe of the colorful, towering canyon walls.
Don’t have your own boat? Boat rentals are available at the Marina, including houseboat rentals so you can experience camping on the water!
Camping
There are five camping areas in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
Nestled in some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in the western United States, if you reserve early, you can pick your favorite of the over 100 camping spots in the Recreation Area. Campgrounds also provide information on the best ways to access the lake and Bighorn Canyon.
Use the campgrounds page for detailed information on each campground and whether they are car or boat accessible.
Fishing
Like many of the streams and rivers in Montana, the Bighorn River is a world-class trout fishery that is hard to beat even on other Montana rivers.
If you’re not into trout fishing, load up your boat and try your hand at angling for other lake fish species including some amazing-sized walleye.
Hiking
With fourteen trails within the Recreation Area to choose from, if you look forward to a good hike, you’ll not be disappointed in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.
The 27 miles of trails in the area offer a range of lengths and levels of difficulty. Some of the most popular trails are short hikes to overlook the canyon. One of the favorite long hikes leads you to a fairly well-preserved historic ghost town.
For information on all of the hiking trails in the Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area, check out the hiking page on the NPS website.
Bicycling
Road bicycling is very popular in the Recreation Area. The South District park road takes you parallel to the Bad Pass Trail, a route that has been used by native peoples for thousands of years.
Or give your lungs a workout on the Ok-A-Beh trail in the North District in Montana.
Historic Ranches
Within the Recreation Area, there are four historic ranches that have been maintained in their original state.
The Lockhart, Mason-Lovell, Ewing-Snell and Hillsboro ranches all tell the story of life on the open range, and the ranching history of Montana and Wyoming.
All four ranches are located in the South District of the area and are not to be missed.
Wildlife watching
Home to some unique animal species, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is a great place to look for wildlife.
Unique to the Area are the Pryor Mountain wild horses, which are the first preserved wild horse herd in the U.S. Of course, keep your eyes open for bears and the namesake of the area, the bighorn sheep.