Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, following the construction of the Yellowtail Dam by the Bureau of Reclamation. This dam, named after the famous Crow chairman Robert Yellowtail, harnessed the waters of the Bighorn River and turned this variable stream into a magnificent lake.
Bighorn Lake extends approximately 60 miles through Wyoming and Montana, 55 miles of which are held within spectacular Bighorn Canyon. The Recreation Area is composed of 70,000+ acres, which straddles the northern Wyoming and southern Montana borders. There are two visitor centers and other developed facilities in Fort Smith, Montana and near Lovell, Wyoming. The Afterbay Lake below the Yellowtail Dam is a good spot for trout fishing and wildlife viewing for ducks, geese and other animals. The Bighorn River below the Afterbay Dam is a world class trout fishing area.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is a lesser known treasure waiting to be discovered. It boasts breath-taking scenery, countless varieties of wildlife, and abundant recreational opportunities, such as boating, fishing, ice fishing, camping, and hiking. Bighorn Canyon offers visitors what few other National Park areas can, that of solitude, serenity, and beauty. In the midst of our chaotic world, this is a truly unique quality.

Operating Hours & Seasons

Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center, Fort Smith, Montana is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9:00AM-5:00PM .
Check locally for weekend hours in May and September.
Closed the rest of the year.
Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center, Lovell, Wyoming is open daily throughout the year. Memorial Day through Labor Day hours are 8:00AM - 6:00PM.
Labor Day through Memorial Day hours are 8:30 - 5:00PM. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.

Crooked Creek Ranger Station, near Horseshoe Bend turnoff. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

* Closures
Due to National Security issues, Yellowtail Dam no longer offers tours of the Dam or allows access to the top of the Dam.
Yellowtail Visitor Center remains open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day.