CuteCamper
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
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.
RecAreaDirections
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.
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Permits info
Facilities
Grapevine Campground Campground
List of Campsites- Near Fort Smith, Montana - Open All Year! - $15 per night fee ($7.50 with Senior Pass) - 14 RV and tent sites are located on the north shore of Afterbay lake - RV sites are back in (not pull through) - All sites are handicapped accessible, have fire rings, and picnic tables - Vault toilets are accessible - There are no RV hookups - Trash cans available seasonally (May-Oct) - RV dump station and drinking water available across afterbay lake near the Headquarters building and Afterbay Campground
Dayboard 9 Campground Campground
List of CampsitesThis small boat in only campground is located at Dayboard 9, approximately 9 miles south of Okabeh Marina. During the summer season (Memorial Day - Labor Day) this location features a courtesy dock and floating comfort station. The primitive gravel campsites include picnic tables, bear boxes, and fire pits.
Horseshoe Bend Campground Campground
List of Campsites- Located near Lovell, WY - Open All Year - All sites include fire pit and picnic table. - 68 RV and tent sites - 28 sites have water and electrical hook-ups. The water is only available at these sites Memorial Day to Labor Day. The electricity remain on year round. - 3 pull through sites - Modern Restrooms, RV dump station and drinking water are available - Swim beach and picnic less than 1 mile hike from the campground - Horseshoe Bend Marina and boat docks less than 1 mile hike from the campground
Barry's Landing & Trail Creek Campground Campground
List of CampsitesBarry's Landing & Trail Creek campgrounds are located on the south district near Barry's Landing, 27 miles north of Lovell, WY on HWY 37. - Open All Year - $18 per night during the summer season (Mid April through October) - 14 RV sites, 16 tent sites - Most RV sites are small for a 28 ft RV or smaller - Vault toilets only, no running water or electricity
Afterbay Campground Campground
List of Campsites- Near Fort Smith, Montana - Open All Year! - $30 per night fee - 22 RV and tent sites are located on the south shore of Afterbay lake - All sites have fire rings and picnic tables - Composting vault toilets - All sites are back in (not pull through) - All sites have electric and water - RV dump station available across the road near the Headquarters building
Medicine Creek Campground Campground
List of CampsitesMedicine Creek campground is a boat-in or hike-in only campground. It is approximately 3 miles north of Barry's Landing by land or water. - Open All Year - Lake level affects the proximity of the boat mooring to campsites
Black Canyon Campground Campground
List of CampsitesBlack Canyon is a boat-in-only campground located five lake miles from the Ok-A-Beh boat ramp. Black Canyon is currently closed (as of 8/30/22) because of aggressive bear activity due to them receiving food rewards from campers. - Open All Year - Docks in seasonally (Memorial Day - Labor Day) - 17 tent sites
Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center Facility
The Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center is on the Fort Smith, MT District and is only open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 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. This visitor center offers a variety of displays focused on the building of the dam and the functions of the dam.
Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center (Lovell, WY District) Facility
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.
