Rate Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Recreation Area
Operating Hours & Seasons
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
The park is open every day. Some park facilities may be closed for federal holidays.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:Open 24 hours
- Monday:Open 24 hours
- Tuesday:Open 24 hours
- Wednesday:Open 24 hours
- Thursday:Open 24 hours
- Friday:Open 24 hours
- Saturday:Open 24 hours
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $5.00 – Bighorn Canyon Entrance Daily Pass
$5 per 24 hours for each privately owned vehicle or individual on a bicycle. - $30.00 – Bighorn Canyon Annual Pass
The Bighorn Canyon Annual Pass is good for one full year from the month of purchase. An Annual Pass may be purchased at the visitor center in Lovell, WY, the Afterbay Contact Station or Park Headquarters or at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center in the summer. - $25.00 – Commercial Vehicle Pass 1-6
A 24 hour commercial vehicle pass for a vehicle that will be transporting 1-6 passengers in the park may be purchased at the Visitor Center in Lovell, WY, the Afterbay Contact Station or Park Headquarters or at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center in the summer. - $40.00 – Commercial Vehicle pass 7-25
A 24 hour commercial vehicle pass for a vehicle that will be transporting 7-25 passengers in the park may be purchased at the Visitor Center in Lovell, WY, the Afterbay Contact Station or Park Headquarters or at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center in the summer. - $100.00 – Commercial Vehicle Pass 25+
A 24 hour commercial vehicle pass for a vehicle that will be transporting 25+ passengers in the park may be purchased at the Visitor Center in Lovell, WY, the Afterbay Contact Station or Park Headquarters or at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center in the summer.
About
Spectacular Views, Endless Opportunity
The vast, wild landscape of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers visitors unparalleled opportunities to immerse themselves in the natural world, and experience the wonders of this extraordinary place. With over 120,000 acres, one can find an astounding diversity in ecosystems, wildlife, and more than 10,000 years of human history to explore. ..
Directions
Bighorn Canyon has two districts that are separated by a three hour drive. To get to the North District at Fort Smith, MT from Billings,take Interstate 90 south to Hardin, MT. Turn at exit 495 onto State Highway 313 to St. Xavier and then to Fort Smith, Montana. To get to the South District at Lovell, WY from Billings, MT, take Interstate 90 west. Turn at exit 434 at Laurel, MT. Turn onto US 310 East/US 212 South. Turn at US 310 East to Lovell. The visitor center is on the east side of Lovell.
Visitor Centers
Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center
Construction of the Yellowtail Dam was completed by by the Bureau of Reclamation. This dam, named after the famous Crow chairman Robert Yellowtail, harnesses the waters of the Bighorn River and turns this variable stream into a magnificent lake. Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center
The visitor center includes various exhibits and programs, ranging from a large, regional relief map to films about the wild horses, canyon/area geology, and authentic, historic displays.
Weather
North District: Semi-arid, receiving 18 to 20 inches of rain annually. South District: High-desert, receiving 6 to 10 inches of rain annually. Summer temperatures: Highs in the 80s (F) and 90s (F), lows in the 50s (F) and 60s (F). Summer temperatures can peak over 100 degrees. Winter temperatures: Range in the 20s and 30s with low temperatures averaging the 10s (F) and 20s (F). During the winter the thermometer can drop below 0 (F) with extreme wind chill factors.
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