Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Bighorn Lake, formed by Yellowtail Dam, stretches through Bighorn Canyon.

The Bighorn river and lake create this national recreation area.

View nature's colors in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.

Boating and fishing in 70 mile-long Bighorn Lake are the main attractions at this recreation area.

Walleye, trout, sauger, ling, perch and rainbow trout are caught in the lake and visitors enjoy ice fishing in winter on the south end of the lake. Streams provide fly fishers with brook, rainbow and brown trout.

The north and south ends of the recreation area are not connected by a direct road. The north end is accessible via Mont. 313 from Hardin, Mont., while the south end is accessible via U.S. 310 from Billings, Mont. or U.S. 14A from Sheridan, Wyo.

There are five campgrounds, three of which are open year-round and two are boat-in or hike-in only. There are several short hiking trails.

More adventuresome hikers may trek cross-country in the 68,490 acres of the recreation area.

Big game and upland game hunting is allowed in the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat, located on the south end of the Recreation Area, in accordance with Wyoming State Regulations. Some hunting is also permitted in Bighorn Canyon NRA; Wyoming State and Montana State Regulations apply.

Information is available at the Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center at 20 Hwy. 14-A East in Lovell and the Yellowtail Visitor Center near Yellowtail Dam at Fort Smith.