Yellowtail, Montana · Big Horn County
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 y…
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.
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.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →This recreation area contains 8 facilities — campgrounds, trailheads, and visitor centers.
Heading to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area? A few things to know before you go:
Photo: Tobias MrzykMontana's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Joshua EarleSteep is hard. These are the ten Montana trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Sergei AkulichTen gentle, well-marked Montana trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Holly MandarichMontana's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoFederal parks and recreation areas in Montana ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Sergei AkulichMontana's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.
