Bighorn Canyon National Recreation
Written By: Laurel Thompson
When you daydream about National Parks in Wyoming, your mind probably catapults you to the steep, snow covered peaks of the majestic Grand Tetons where outdoor enthusiasts flock year-round, or perhaps, you envision the lush summer meadows of Lamar Valley in Yellowstone where wolves, buffalo, elk and grizzlies roam freely. But did you know Wyoming is home to 5 additional National Park Service monuments, historic sites, and recreation areas? Well, now you do!
Hidden Treasure
To continue our celebration of National Park Week, we headed to north west Wyoming to explore the vast and wild landscape of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, which never disappoints! A lesser-known treasure, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (BCNRA) covers over 120k acres shared between the states of Wyoming and Montana and offers an array of year-round outdoor recreation opportunities to include scenic drives and overlooks, hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and boating to name a few!
Sights Along the Way
BCNRA is divided into two unconnected districts – North and South. While both areas offer endless opportunities for entertainment and exploring, during our recent adventure, we took a drive up US 310 East towards the Wyoming, Montana border to visit the South District. If this is the route best suited for your adventure, you’ll want to be sure to pull over for the Historic Landmark of Sheep Mountain along the way! Stretching for nearly 15 miles between the small towns of Greybull and Lovell, Sheep Mountain offers unique insight into the geologic history of the Bighorn Basin – and did we mention spectacular views of the surrounding desert country and the Bighorn Mountains to the east?
Local Insight
Located about 10 miles southwest of BCNRA’s south gate, you’ll find the Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center for all your informational needs! Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center is open year-round and has wonderful, knowledgeable staff to help point you in the right direction. The visitor center hosts several exhibits and programs including a large regional map, films about the local wild horses, canyon and area geology, historic displays, and of course, souvenirs (NPS.gov).
Let the Adventures Begin
Once you have arrived at the south gate to BCNRA, the hardest part will be determining what to do first! Our recommendation? You’ll want to head straight to Devil’s Canyon Overlook just north of the Horseshoe Bend turnoff. Devil’s Canyon Overlook provides incredible views of steep, colorful canyon walls that bend and twist to the curves of the once flowing Bighorn River hundreds of feet below. The still greenish, blue water at the base of the canyon walls is now harnessed by Yellowtail Dam in south central Montana and forms Bighorn Lake – an amazing view to behold.
Canyon Critters
While taking in the scenic views of Devil’s Canyon, be sure to keep a keen eye out for the recreation area’s namesake, bighorn sheep. We enjoy setting up a spotting scope and glassing the rocky, juniper and mahogany covered ledges for these stealthy, camouflaged critters. Our recent visit to Devil’s Canyon Overlook proved lucky, as we were able to observe a small group of ewes and lambs sunbathing and grazing on upcoming forbs and grasses.
Unlike the bighorn sheep of BCNRA, the wild horses of the nearby Pryor Mountain range often make their presence known. The Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range extends beyond BCNRA covering nearly 38k acres where they have occupied this rugged mountain country for nearly 200 years (BLM.gov). While there are several viewing areas throughout the recreation area, those interested in learning more about the herd’s Colonial Spanish American heritage can visit the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center on the outskirts of Lovell to the south west of BCNRA’s south gate entrance.
Trekking Around
BCNRA’s South District is in no short supply of hiking and camping adventures! Both Horseshoe Bend and Barry’s Landing & Trail Creek Campgrounds offer year-round camping, in addition to dispersed/ backcountry camping on Bighorn Lake. The South District also offers 15 miles of scenic hiking through 12 designated easy to hard trails. There are trails for all ages and experience levels at BCNRA, and two are even handicap accessible.
Whether you choose to walk the shoreline or venture out by boat, Bighorn Lake offers anglers miles of quality fishing opportunities. Fed primarily by the Bighorn and Shoshone Rivers, Bighorn Lake is home to a variety of species to include brown and rainbow trout, walleye, sauger, perch, crappie, and catfish to name a few! Long day on the water? Cozy up to a driftwood fed shoreline fire for some smores and brilliant stargazing.
Take Advantage
As Wyoming residents, we are lucky to have access to some of the most beautiful, wild scenery in the northwest United States, and we should all be exploring and discovering more! Be sure to check out more of Wyoming’s National Park Service managed parks, historic sites, recreation areas, and monuments in your backyard. Get out there and Live WYld!
