Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Montana, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-29. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area spans the Montana–Wyoming border, with canyon overlooks, walking trails and historic ranches. Choose your district first: Fort Smith in Montana and Lovell in Wyoming are about three hours apart by road, with no direct connection through the park. The Lovell side is the practical starting point for a first land-based visit.

Canyon views from the Lovell district

Devil Canyon Overlook gives a canyon view after a short walk from parking off Highway 37. Add Sullivan’s Knob for a longer look at the landscape, or start with the exhibits at the Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center. These stops form a manageable South District outing without a transfer to Fort Smith.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Cliff edges, heat and rough ground

Keep well back from the canyon rim: loose rock, unstable overhangs and strong wind make the edges hazardous. Carry water, wear closed-toe shoes and watch where you place your hands and feet around rocky ground. Stay on the trail to reduce encounters with spiny vegetation and poison ivy.

Give wildlife space

Observe horses and other wildlife from a distance. Never throw stones into the canyon, where people may be below. Trail pets must remain leashed, and owners must collect their waste.

Programs and visit planning

Ask at the visitor center about the current ranger-program schedule before planning your day around an event. Choose the district and starting point before making any separate activity arrangements; the long drive between districts can otherwise consume much of the day.

Two districts, two approaches

The South District visitor center is at 20 US Highway 14A, Lovell, WY 82431. Highway 37 leads into the recreation area east of Lovell. For the North District, follow Montana Highway 313 to Fort Smith. Use the NPS district directions instead of navigating to a generic canyon map pin. There is no public transportation serving the park.

Other parks from the northern approach

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is reached from I-90 exit 510 near Crow Agency, at 756 Battlefield Tour Road. Chief Plenty Coups State Park is another road-accessible option at 1 Edgar/Pryor Road in Pryor. Its winter schedule closes the park on Mondays and Tuesdays, with additional holiday closures. Check the chosen site’s access before extending a North District trip.

Choose a short walk or a canyon trail

• Visitor Center Pond Trail: a 0.26-mile round trip, listed as easy and accessible.
• Two Eagles Interpretive Trail: a 0.25-mile round trip, also listed as easy and accessible.
• Sullivan’s Knob Trail: a 0.75-mile round trip, rated easy to moderate.

Visitor services and route information

The Lovell visitor center offers exhibits, a film and ranger advice. Download the trail information before leaving for a walk. An accessible rating on one short trail does not describe every overlook or canyon route; confirm the particular surface and access you need.

About the recreation area

The National Park Service manages this recreation area beside Crow tribal lands. Mountain uplift and river erosion shaped the narrow canyon, while Yellowtail Dam created the modern lake within it.

History

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area was established on October 15, 1966, following construction of Yellowtail Dam. Its historic ranches add a human-history perspective to the canyon landscape.

Wildlife watching

Bighorn sheep, wild horses and birds may be seen on a South District drive. Treat a sighting as a reason to observe from a safe distance, not to approach an animal or step onto an unstable rim.

Contact

Call 307-548-5406 for park information. Review the current conditions before a trip that depends on a particular road or facility.