Bighorn Canyon
National Recreation Area

Bighorn Canyon NRA was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, following the construction of the Yellowtail Dam by the Bureau of Reclamation. This dam, named after the famous Crow chairman Robert Yellowtail, harnessed the waters of the Big Horn River and turned this variable stream into a magnificent lake. Bighorn Lake extends 71 miles through Montana and Wyoming, 55 miles of which are held within spectacular Bighorn Canyon. The Recreation Area is composed of 70,000+ acres, which straddles the northern Wyoming and southern Montana borders. The Recreation Area has two Visitor Centers and other developed facilities in Ft. Smith, MT and near Lovell, WY. The Afterbay Lake below the Yellowtail Dam is a good spot for trout fishing and wildlife viewing for ducks, geese and other animals. The Bighorn River below the Afterbay Dam is a world class trout fishing area. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is a lesser known treasure waiting to be discovered. It boasts breath-taking scenery, countless varieties of wildlife, and abundant recreational opportunities, such as boating, fishing, ice fishing, camping, and hiking. The National Recreation Area offers visitors what few other National Parks can, that of solitude, serenity, and beauty. In the midst of our chaotic world, this is a truly unique quality.

VISITATION:

Over 280,000 visitors per year. Most people visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

 

LOCATION:

Big Horn County, Wyoming, Big Horn County, Montana,and Carbon County, Montana

 

ADDRESS:

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
P.O. Box 7458
Fort Smith, MT 59035

 

TELEPHONE:

(406) 666-2412

 

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Yellowtail Visitor Center - Ft. Smith, MT
Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily 9AM to 5PM. Closed remainder of year.

Lovell Visitor Center - Lovell, WY
Year Round, daily 8:15AM to 5PM, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

 

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Weather can vary greatly throughout the day.

Summer daytime temperatures range between 50 to 90F (10 to 32C), nights 40 to 60F (4 to 15C)

Winter daytime temperatures range between -20 to +40F (-29 to +4C), nights -30 to +20F (-34 to -7C)

Precipitation is minimal, brief afternoon thunderstorms can occur during the summer, snow accumulation varies greatly year to year.

Layered clothing appropriate for the season is recommended.

 

DIRECTIONS:

The north end of the Recreation area in Ft. Smith, MT is accessible via MT Highway 313 - 43 miles (69.2km) from Hardin, MT.

The south end of the Recreation area, accessible through Lovell, WY, via WY Highway 14A, which connects with WY State Road 37, 2 miles from Lovell, WY, or from the east from I-90 via 14A at Burgess Junction. The distance from Lovell, WY to the Recreation Area is a total of 11 miles (17.7km).

The Closest airports can be found in Billings, MT, and Cody, WY. The Billings Airport is a total of 91 miles (146.4km) from Ft.Smith, MT and a total of 100 miles (160.9km) from Lovell, WY. The Cody Airport is 46 miles (74km) from Lovell, WY.

 

TRANSPORTATION:

All of the main locations within both areas of the park can be reached by paved highways, but there is no through road in the park. One may travel from the north end to the south end of the park on the lake by boat through the canyon.

 

FEES, COST, RATES:

Annual: $30 per year or $15 for Golden Age/Access passport visitors.
Daily: $5 per car for each 24 hour period or $2.50 for Golden Age/Access passport visitors.
You must have a Montana or Wyoming state fishing license to fish within the park in each respective state.

 

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

• Yellowtail Visitor Center:     Exhibits on Display: - 5 separate exhibits chronicle the building and workings of the Yellowtail Dam. - The unique geology of the area. - Details the life of Robert Yellowtail, the Crow Tribal Leader, whom the Yellowtail Dam is named after. -The Crow Indians and the famed leader Chief Plenty Coups. - The history of Bighorn river and Bighorn lake. - Examples of the fish that one may expect to catch at Bighorn Canyon NRA and the flies to use to catch them. - The cutter bee, an important component to the pollination of many local crops. - Varying films are available to be viewed on request. - Southwest Parks and Monuments Association provides a bookstore to help satisfy your interests.
• Lovell Visitor Center     Exhibits on Display: - A large 3D relief map of Bighorn Canyon and the surrounding area. - Examples of the geological eras that this region has passed through. - Cultural history of the ancient peoples who inhabited this area. - Two photo exhibits on the natural history of the recreation area, one on native wildlife and one on native plant life. - The Lovell Visitor Center is the first National Park Service building to utilize solar energy. The panels on the south side of the building collect heat and send it to a bed of rocks in the sub-basement. This helps heat the building. A reflecting pond has been built to accent the sunlight going to the panels. During the summer, the water from this pond is pumped over the bed of rocks and this helps to cool the building. After 20+ years, the pond has developed its own ecosystem. Many plants and animals have taken up residence here, plus the pond is a rest stop for some migrantory birds. - Visitors can get handouts on the historic ranches, geology, animals, and other interesting information about the park. We also have brochures and handouts for local area attractions. - We offer three films for the public's viewing: Bighorn Canyon Experience, Mustangs on the Mountain about the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, and Is There an American Stonehenge about the Medicine Wheel - a US Forest Service Site located in the nearby Bighorn National Forest. - Southwest Parks and Monuments also operates a very extensive bookstore at this visitor's center

 

Hiking Trails

 

North District:

*Bighorn Headgate Trail     The 0.1 mile trail leads to the stone mortar headgate built as an irrigation project by Crow Indian laborers at the turn of the century. The trail begins at the west end of the Afterbay Campground parking area.

*Om-Ne-A Trail This 3 mile scenic trail follows the canyon rim from the Yellowtail Dam to the Ok-A-Beh Boat Ramp. The trail is steep for the first 1/4 of a mile, then it levels off along the rim. The trail begins at the south end of the Yellowtail Dam parking area.

 

South District:

*Hillsboro The Hillsboro access road leads to the homestead of G.W. Barry, for whom Barry's Landing is named. Buildings from his Cedarvale dude ranch and the Hillsboro Post-office building still stand. The access road meets the Barry's Landing road just east of the campground. The one mile trail is open to foot or bicycle traffic only. Site information available at the trailhead and at the Lovell Visitor Center.

*Barry's Island Loop/Medicine Creek Barry's Island Loop trail begins at the north end of the parking area at Barry's Landing. It is a dirt two track road that was once a prospecting road for uranium mining, it is 4 wheel drive for the first mile or so then the road turns into a trail (we recommend that you leave your vehicle in the parking lot because it is difficult to turn a vehicle around). The round trip trail is approximately 3 miles long with a spur at 1.8 miles going to the Medicine Creek hike-in/boat-in only campground. The trail leads to an oxbow in the lake forming a round peninsula of land that one day will become an island. The trail continues around this "Island" and back to the original trail to retrace your path back to Barry's Landing parking lot.

*Lockhart Ranch Lockhart Ranch can be found by continuing on the dirt road beyond Barry's Landing north 2.5 miles to a parking turnout. The .4 mile hike to this historic ranch includes interpretive signing and picnic tables.

 

Programs/Activities:

Yellowtail Dam Tours
- Daily at 10:30AM, 2:30PM - Memorial Day through Labor Day. This tour lasts approximately 30 minutes. The tour begins with an elevator ride down to the bottom of the dam and walk up two flights of stairs to the power plant, which produces electricity from the waters of the Bighorn Lake.

Additional programs are available seasonally. Please contact the Lovell Visitor's Center or Fort Smith Headquarters for more information.

 

Lodging and camping facilities:

North District

Camping:

- Afterbay Campground (NPS): Located adjacent to the Yellowtail Dam. Contains 29 sites, which accommodate both RVs and tents year round. Equipped with tables and BBQ pits/fire rings, bear-proof food storage containers, vault restrooms, a boatramp, drinking water, and RV dump station. NO reservations, hook-ups, or showers.

 

- Black Canyon (NPS): Located 5 miles south of Ok-A-Beh boat ramp. Boat in only atdayboard 5. Accessible from late spring to early fall. Contains 10 tent sites. Equipped with tables and BBQ pits/fire rings, bear-proof food storage containers and floating vault toilets. NO reservations, boat ramp, drinking water, RV dump station, hook-ups, or showers. Campers MUST carry out their own garbage and non-burnable trash.

 

-Cottonwood Camp (406) 666-2391 (Private: Located 3 miles outside of Fort Smith near the three mile boat landing. Has 14 lodging sites (cabins/trailers) with electricity and full kitchenettes. 17 RV sites (7 with electric, water and sewer and 10 with electric and water only). Two acres available for tent camping. Equipped, restrooms, showers, dump station, tables and grills, laundromat and convenience/grocery store. Fishing guides, fly-tying shop. fishing licenses, boat rentals available.

 

-Bighorn RV Park (406) 666-2460 (Private, part of Schneider's Guide Service) restaurant, RV and tent sites, showers, fishing guides, shuttles and boat rentals.

 

Lodging:

Several hotels and bed and breakfasts are available in the town of Fort Smith, MT which is located 2 miles form the Yellowtail Dam and Visitor's Center.

-Angler's Edge Guest House (406)666-2417 -Fishing Guides available

-Bighorn Angler (406)666-2233 -Bed and Breakfast -Fishing Outfitter/Guides available

-Bighorn Trout Shop (406)666-2375 -Meals -Fishing Outfitter/Guides available -Bighorn Country Outfitter -Meals -Fishing Outfitter/Fishing and Hunting Guides available

-Bighorn River Lodge -Meals, float trips -Fishing and Hunting Guides available -Orvis Sponsored

-Polly's Place (406)666-2255 -Quill Gordon Fly Fishing -Bed and Breakfast -Fishing Outfitter/Guides available -Schneider's Guide Service -Bighorn RV Park 16 hook-ups, tent sites, showers, bathrooms -Fishing outfitter/Shuttle service -Cafe -Sonnhalter Bed and Breakfast (406)666-2218

 

South District

Camping:

-Horseshoe Bend -Located 14 miles North of the Lovell Visitor's Center, off of Wyoming Highway 37, the main paved road through the park. -Contains 45 sites, which accommodate both RVs and tents year round. -Equipped with tables and BBQ pits/fire rings, shade shelters, modern flush toilets, a boat ramp, drinking water, and an RV dump station. -NO reservations, hook-ups or showers.

-Barry's Landing -Located 27 miles North of the Lovell Visitor's Center, off of Wyoming Highway 37. -Contains 7 trailer sites and 5 tent sites and is open year round. -Equipped with tables and BBQ pits/fire rings, vault toilets, and a boat ramp. -NO drinking water, RV dump station, hook-ups, or showers. -Medicine Creek -Located 2 miles north of Barry's Landing. Hike-in from Barry's Island Loop trail or Boat-in at dayboard 32. -Contains 4 tent sites. Accessible from late spring to early fall. -Equipped with tables and grills and vault toilets. -NO boat ramp, drinking water, RV dump station, hook-ups, or showers.

-Bighorn RV Park -Located behind the Super 8 on Lovell's main street. -Contains 15 RV sites -Equipped with full hook-ups, a waste dump, bathrooms, showers, laundry facility available. -Check in at the Super 8 front desk. -$12 per night plus tax (307)548-2725

-Lovell Camper Park -Located off of Lovell's main street, on Quebec Ave between First and Second Streets. -Contains 10 camper, tent and RV sites. -Equipped with tables, drinking water, restrooms, showers, and a waste dump. -The campground stay limit is 3 days. -There is no fee.

 

Lodging:

Several motels may be found in Lovell, WY, near the Lovell Visitor's Center, approximately 11 miles away from the Recreation Area.

-Cattleman Motel (307)548-2266

-Horseshoe Bend Motel(307)548-2221

-Super 8 Motel (307)548-2725

 

Food/supplies:

North District:

Ok-A-Beh Marina (406)666-2349
    Boat Rentals, tours, short order grill, gas, grocery items, gifts, and fishing and boating supplies and Bighorn Canyon user fee permits.

Bighorn Trout Shop (406)666-2375
    restaurant, large selection of fishing supplies, vacation essentials, rooms available (call ahead for reservations)

Quill Gordon Fly Fishers (406) 666-2253
    ALL fishing supplies available. Rooms, boat rental, fishing guides

Bighorn River Lodge (406)666-2368
    Meals, Float trips, fishing/hunting guides

Polly's Place (406)666-2255
    restaurant, rooms available

Schneider's Guide Service
    restaurant, RV Park & tent sites, showers, fishing guides, shuttles, boat rentals

Yellowtail Market (406)666-2333
    small grocery store

South District:
Horseshoe Bend Marina
    Boat rentals, tours, sandwiches, gas, grocery items, gifts, fishing and boating supplies and Bighorn Canyon user fee permits.

Bighorn Restaurant (307)548-6811 (Lovell)
    sit-down restaurant offering breakfast,lunch and dinner.

Oasis Restaurant (307)548-7327 (Lovell)
    restaurant/bar

Rose Bowl Cafe (307)548-7121 (Lovell)
    sit down restaurant offering breakfast,lunch,and dinner.

Hot Stuff Pizza (307)548-2888 (Lovell) Located in the Yellowtail Lanes Bowling Alley

Pizza on the Run (307)548-2206 (Lovell)

Scoop Drive-In (307)548-7514 (Lovell)
Old Fashioned Drive-In offering lunch and dinner, ice cream, etc.

Red Apple Supermarket (307)548-2224 (Lovell)
    Large full service grocery store.

The Country Store (307)548-7110 (Lovell)
    Gas, Convenience Store, Eddie Peppers Mexican Take-Out, Cinnamon Street Bakery.

Sinclair Gas Station and Food Court
    Gas, convience store, Blimpie's Sub Sandwiches, Taco John's Mexican Food, The Ice Cream Hut

 

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

The Southwest Parks and Monuments Association

Operates park bookstores at both the Yellowtail and Lovell Visitor Centers.
Many titles are available ranging from local interest, natural history, Native American and Western history. Postcards, videos, topo maps, and posters are also available. We also have a current list of titles sold by SPMA at the Bighorn Canyon visitor centers.

The Ok-A-Beh Marina
Open seven days a week from mid-May to mid-September.
Boat rentals, tours, restaurant, gas, grocery items, gifts, fishing and boating supplies, boat slips and Bighorn Canyon user fee permits.
Take a tour with a Coast Guard Licensed captain. Hourly, half-day, and all day tours offered.
For rental or tours call: (406)666-2349 from May to September. During off months, call: (406)665-2349.

The Marina at Horseshoe Bend
Open seven days a week from mid-May to mid-September.
boat rentals, pontoon and fishing boats, paddle boats, inner tubes, canoes, floating basketball hoop, boating and fishing supplies, boat slips, gas, grocery items, restaurant and Bighorn Canyon User Fee permits.
For rental and other information call 9307) 548-7230. During off hours, call (307) 548-6672.

 

Accessibility:

The Visitor Centers and other public buildings in the recreation area are accessible to those who are handicapped or disabled except the Yellowtail Dam tour. However, the Dam Visitor Center and the top of the dam is accessible.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Hiking trails, wildlife viewing, camping, picnicking, photography, boating, salmon and trout fishing, hunting, windsurfing, sailing, waterskiing, cross country skiing, ice-fishing and snowmobiling.

 

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

User Fees will be waived for educational school groups visits to the park. For an application for the fee waiver and an appointment for a ranger led activity. School groups should call at least two weeks in advance (307)548-2251.

A Special Use permit is required for special activities or organizations wishing to utilize the area for official functions.

A Film Permit may be required for commercial/documentary filming, except for commercial still photography. Call (307)548-2251 for information and applications for permits.

 

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

A minimum of 2 hours is required to visit the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center, to take the tour of Yellowtail dam, and to visit the Ok-A-Beh area. At least half a day is required to see the canyon and lake by boat.

A minimum of 3 hours is recommended to visit the Lovell Visitor Center, Horseshoe Bend, Devil's Canyon overlook and Barry's Landing. At least half a day is required to see the canyon and lake by boat.

Last Update: Thursday, 01-Apr-99 11:36:29
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