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National Recreation Area · Montana and Wyoming

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area in Montana and Wyoming. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Recreation Area
StateMontana, Wyoming
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
Campgrounds7
Nearest national parkYellowstone (121 mi)
Closest airportBIL (51 mi)

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is a national recreation area run by the National Park Service in Montana and Wyoming.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. Bighorn Canyon NRA is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Camping

Campground Sites Booking From RVs Amenities
Horseshoe Bend Campground 68 Both n/a Yes hookups, dump station, water
Barry's Landing & Trail Creek Campground 30 Both n/a Yes none listed
Afterbay Campground 22 Reservable n/a Yes hookups, dump station, water
Black Canyon Campground 17 First come n/a No none listed
Grapevine Campground 14 Reservable n/a Yes dump station, water
Medicine Creek Campground 5 First come n/a No none listed
Dayboard 9 Campground 5 First come n/a No none listed

Getting there

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.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) Billings, MT No road route 51 Regional
Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) Cody, WY No road route 60 Regional
Sheridan County Airport (SHR) Sheridan, WY No road route 62 Regional
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) Salt Lake City, UT No road route 357 Large hub

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center (Lovell, WY): Mon Closed; Tue 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Wed 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Thu 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Fri 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sat 8:30AM - 4:30PM; Sun Closed. The visitor center includes authentic historic exhibits about the ranches, Native American life and artifacts, as well as information about regional geology and geography, the river before the dam, and a large relief map of the park and surrounding areas. In addition to the bookstore, there is a small theater that includes various free programs about the wild horses, canyon geology, and other local interests.

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Yellowstone, about 121 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area?

No entrance fee.

Where is Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area?

In Montana, Wyoming. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Billings Logan International Airport, about 51 miles away.

Can you camp at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area?

Yes, at 7 campgrounds the park service lists.

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