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Bighorn Canyon National Recreation AreaTheme(s): Native American | |
Description:
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area 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 Bighorn River and turned this variable stream into a magnificent lake.
Bighorn Lake extends approximately 60 miles through Wyoming and Montana, 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. There are two visitor centers and other developed facilities in Fort Smith, Montana and near Lovell, Wyoming. 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. Bighorn Canyon offers visitors what few other National Park areas can, that of solitude, serenity, and beauty. In the midst of our chaotic world, this is a truly unique quality.
Designations:
National Recreation Area (October 15, 1966)
Accessibility:
Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center, Fort Smith, Montana, is accessible and the top of the Dam is accessible. The tour of the dam and power house requires walking flights of stairs at several points along the tour.
Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center, Lovell, Wyoming is fully accessible. A nature trail around the pond is partially accessible.
Crooked Creek Contact Station will be fully accessible summer 2000.
Getting Around:
Automobile and boat are the best ways to see this recreation area. There is no road connecting the two sections. Boat travel is the only way to go directly from one section to the other.
The North end of Bighorn Canyon is surrounded by the Crow Indian Reservation. Please respect their land and stay on the road, or on the water, except in areas that are open to travel.
The South end can be traversed by auto or boat. Hiking, bicycling and horseback riding are other ways to enjoy this end of the recreation area.
Activites:
Auto_Touring | Biking | Boating | Camping | Educational Programs | Fishing | Hiking | Hunting | Swimming | Wildlife Viewing | Snow Skiing | Bird Watching | Stargazing | Snowshoeing | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Restaurant or Snack Bar | Picnic Areas | Groceries or Supplies | Comfort Stations | Museum Exhibits | And more.
Nature: Wildflowers | Mountains | And more.
Directions to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Plane:
Billings, Montana International Airport for either North or South entrances.
Cody, Wyoming Airport for South entrance.
Car:
Interstate 90 to Hardin, Montana. Highway 313 40 miles south to Fort Smith, Montana for North entrance.
Highway 310 to 14A to Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center in Lovell, Wyoming. Continue 2 miles east on Highway 14A to Highway 37, north 9 miles to South entrance.
Public Transportation
None available.
Attractions:
Medicine Wheel - Bighorn National Forest
Phone:307-548-6541
Buffalo Bill Museum & Historical Center- Cody, Wyoming
Hot Springs State Park - Thermopolis, Wyoming
Phone:307-864-2176
The Wyoming Dinosaur Center - Thermopolis, Wyoming
Phone:307-864-2997
Nearby Parks:
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming (100 miles)
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana (100 miles)
Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming (100 miles)
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Contact Information for Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Bighorn Canyon NRA Headquarters
5 Avenue B, P.O. Box 7458
Fort Smith, MT
59035-7458
Phone: 406-666-2412
Fax: 406-666-2415
Located in Fort Smith, MT,WY
For more information on Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Information on this page provided by the NPS.
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Montana Road Maps (MT Maps)
Montana Photos