Travel Guide Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

The national park of Bighorn Canyon was founded on Wyoming and Montana and was created in 1966 following the construction of the Yellowtail Dam. Upstream, the river winds through high sandstone cliffs with sublime views of the canyon and the dam gives birth to a huge 115 km long lake. The majority of the lake (89 km) is located in the protected area of Bighorn Canyon National Area, which is partly located (one third) on the Crows Indian Reserve (Montana side). The park is divided into two distinct parts: Montana near Fort Smith and the one in Wyoming near Lovell. While most of its area is located in Montana, Wyoming hosts the large Bighorn Lake. On the Montana side, you will have more access to the canyon through hikes, views and campsites, while the Wyoming side can navigate the lake and visit the four historic ranches of the park. In both cases, the waters of the park, rich in fish and especially trout, make it ideal for fishing but also for boat and scenic hiking.