Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
The Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area encompasses 120,000 acres of desert country. It was established in 1966 by an act of Congress. The 2,200-foot-deep Bighorn Canyon was carved by the Bighorn River over millions of years. In 1967, the canyon filled with water after the completion of the Yellowtail Dam. The dam supplies 250,000 kilowatts of energy, and irrigates thousands of acres of Montana farmland. The dam has also created Bighorn Lake.
One of the more dramatic sights of the Bighorn Canyon Recreational Area is the Devil Canyon Overlook. From the overlook, you can see where Devil Canyon meets Bighorn Canyon. The floors of the canyons lie a thousand feet below. Keep your eye out for bighorn sheep and mountain goats that wander on the canyon walls.
The Indians referred to Bighorn Canyon as Bad Pass. The trail they used to follow buffalo traced the canyon's rim. The Indians marked the Bad Pass route with rock carins. A few of these still exist today. One can be found near the Devil Canyon Overlook.
Many people who visit Bighorn Canyon are attracted to the water.
Water-skiing and windsurfing are popular sports. However, fishing draws in the biggest crowd. The lake and river are full of walleye, rainbow, and brown trout, yellow perch, ling, crappie, and catfish.
The lake borders both Montana and Wyoming, so you must purchase your fishing license from which ever side you'll be fishing from. If you plan to fish in both states, you must get two permits. There are three launch ramps. Each are located at Barry's Landing, Horseshoe Bend Marina, and Ok-A-Beh Marina. Due to recent droughts causing low water levels, the boat ramps have been closed. It is wise to call ahead of time to see if the marinas are open.
If you like to keep your feet dry, there are several excellent hiking trails around Bighorn Canyon. Hiking is easy in the wide-open desert landscape. Just make sure you go during the cooler months of February or March, or during the fall, when you will be less likely to come upon a rattlesnake.
Another popular attraction Bighorn Canyon provides is the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range. It includes 46,000 acres of the western side of Bighorn Canyon. Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range is the first wild horse refuge in the US. There are about 120 wild mustangs on the range, and they are all descended from Spanish horses brought over by the conquistadors 500 years ago. How the mustangs ended up in the Pryor Mountains remains a mystery. Don't forget your binoculars - you'll want an up-close view of the mustangs' magnificent colors and patterns.
There are three campgrounds located in the southern half of the Bighorn Canyon, and two in the northern half. If you have and RV, you must park at Horseshoe Bend. Other camping spots include Barry's Landing campground, and Medicine Creek Campground. If you decide to camp in the backcountry, make sure you check in with the visitors center to learn of any restrictions. It is also wise to ask where the Crow Indian Reservation boundaries are.
For more information, call the Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center at (307) 548-2251.
Other pages you might find helpful:
Buffalo Wyoming
Buffalo Wyoming is a great small town at the base of the Bighorn Mountains.
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