{"id":"nps-bica","slug":"bighorn-canyon-national-recreation-area","name":"Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area","designation":"National Recreation Area","category":"national-recreation-area","categoryLabel":"National Recreation Area","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"BICA","designation":"National Recreation Area","sourceId":"nps-bica"}],"states":["MT","WY"],"stateNames":["Montana","Wyoming"],"location":{"lat":45.13154227,"lon":-108.1443943},"bbox":[-108.3782,44.759,-107.7517,45.4462],"acres":{"value":119054,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/bica/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=45.4462&b_tl_lng=-108.3782&b_br_lat=44.759&b_br_lng=-107.7517","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Bighorn%20Canyon%20National%20Recreation%20Area","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/bica/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C8210BC-1DD8-B71B-0B15EAD02A4BA4D2.jpg","title":"Yellowtail Dam (Fort Smith, MT District)","alt":"Summer view of the Yellowtail Dam from the Ok-A-Beh road.","caption":"Summer view of the Yellowtail Dam from the Ok-A-Beh road. (Fort Smith, MT District)","credit":"Sharron Genaux","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C821240-1DD8-B71B-0B082E247EB28DCB.jpg","title":"Spring Cactus","alt":"spring cactus with yellow flowers","caption":"Spring Cactus","credit":"Pete Sawtell","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C82137E-1DD8-B71B-0B13219995CC59F1.jpg","title":"Kayaks at Barry's Landing (Lovell, WY District)","alt":"Four orange kayaks laying with their tips on the red rocks at Barry's Landing.","caption":"Kayaks at Barry's Landing ready to go. (Lovell, WY District)","credit":"Ed Allen","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C8214F5-1DD8-B71B-0B6BA10EEEDC25D1.jpg","title":"Bighorn Sheep Overlooking the Canyon","alt":"Bighorn Sheep Overlooking the Canyon","caption":"Bighorn Sheep Overlooking the Canyon","credit":"Klein Photo Collection","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C82164F-1DD8-B71B-0BC7639533B2D456.jpg","title":"Devil Canyon Overlook from Sullivan's Knob Trail (Lovell, WY District)","alt":"Looking up canyon toward Devil Canyon from the rim at Sullivan's Kob.","caption":"Devil Canyon Overlook from Sullivan's Knob Trail (Lovell, WY District)","credit":"Jonathan Welde","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C8217B2-1DD8-B71B-0BDCD2532B8E8992.jpg","title":"On The Lake","alt":"smooth water just south of Barry's Landing","caption":"A Great Day on the Lake","credit":"Jonathan Welde","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C82191F-1DD8-B71B-0B015D06F1310BA3.jpg","title":"Horseshoe Bend from the Sykes Mountain (Lovell, WY District)","alt":"Red hills in the foreground with Bighorn Lake in the background with a brilliant blue sky.","caption":"Horseshoe Bend from the Sykes Mountain (Lovell, WY District)","credit":"Jonathan Welde","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Theater","Auto and ATV","Scenic Driving","Astronomy","Stargazing","Biking","Road Biking","Boating","Motorized Boating","Sailing","Jet Skiing","Boat Tour","Camping","Compass and GPS","Fishing","Freshwater Fishing","Fly Fishing","Food","Dining","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Boat Tour","Hiking","Front-Country Hiking","Off-Trail Permitted Hiking","Hunting and Gathering","Hunting","Paddling","Canoeing","Canoe or Kayak Camping","Kayaking","Stand Up Paddleboarding","Junior Ranger Program","Playground","Skiing","Cross-Country Skiing","Snow Play","Snowshoeing","Swimming","Freshwater Swimming","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Museum Exhibits","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Architecture and Building","Archeology","Arts","Painting","Photography","Poetry and Literature","Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite","Colonization and Settlement","Commerce","Dams","Engineering","Explorers and Expeditions","Farming and Agriculture","Ranches","Forts","Industry","Mining","Migrations","Military","Cavalry","Indigenous and Native Warrior","Native American Heritage","Schools and Education","Wars and Conflicts","Tribal Conflicts","Indian and Frontier Wars","Westward Expansion","Homesteading","Women's History","Ancient Seas","Animals","Birds","Bison","Cats (wild)","Elk","Fish","Tortoises and Turtles","Caves, Caverns and Karst","Canyons and Canyonlands","Fire","Foothills, Plains and Valleys","Forests and Woodlands","Fossils and Paleontology","Geology","Groundwater","Freshwater Springs","Lakes","Mountains","Natural Sounds","Night Sky","Astronomy","River and Riparian","Rock Landscapes and Features","Scenic Views","Thickets and Shrublands","Trails","Water Trails","Unique Species","Rare","Watersheds","Waterfalls","Wilderness"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area","description":"Bighorn Canyon NRA is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"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.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"3075485406","email":"BICA_media@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center (Lovell, WY)","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/bica/planyourvisit/bighorn-canyon-visitor-center.htm","lat":44.837479952208064,"lon":-108.37667249937681}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Horseshoe Bend Campground","description":"- 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. Water is only guaranteed at these sites Memorial Day to Labor Day, but may remain on, weather dependent. Electricity remains on year-round. - 3 pull through sites - Modern Restrooms, RV dump station and drinking water are available - Horseshoe Bend Marina, boat ramp, swim beach, and picnic less than 1 mile hike from the campground","url":"https://www.nps.gov/bica/planyourvisit/horseshoe-bend-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.hiddentreasurecharters.com/","sites":68},{"name":"Barry's Landing & Trail Creek Campground","description":"Barry'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 - 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","url":"https://www.nps.gov/bica/planyourvisit/trail-creek-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"http://www.hiddentreasurecharters.com","sites":30},{"name":"Afterbay Campground","description":"- Near Fort Smith, Montana - Open All Year - 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","url":"https://www.nps.gov/bica/planyourvisit/afterbay-campground.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":22},{"name":"Grapevine Campground","description":"- Near Fort Smith, Montana - Open All Year! - 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","url":"https://www.nps.gov/bica/planyourvisit/grapevine-campground.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":14},{"name":"Medicine Creek Campground","description":"Medicine 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","url":"https://www.nps.gov/bica/planyourvisit/medicine-creek.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":5},{"name":"Black Canyon Campground","description":"Black Canyon is a boat-in-only campground located five lake miles from the Ok-A-Beh boat ramp. Black Canyon occasionally closes due to aggressive bear activity as a result of receiving food rewards from campers. Check the \"Alerts\" page for any closures within the park. And remember, Do Not feed or approach any wildlife. - Open All Year - Docks in seasonally (Memorial Day - Labor Day) - 17 tent sites","url":"https://www.nps.gov/bica/planyourvisit/black-canyon.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":17},{"name":"Dayboard 9 Campground","description":"This 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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/bica/planyourvisit/day-board-nine.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":5}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"little-bighorn-battlefield-national-monument","km":74},{"slug":"bighorn-national-forest","km":90},{"slug":"pompeys-pillar-national-monument","km":97},{"slug":"grass-lake-national-wildlife-refuge","km":117},{"slug":"custer-national-forest","km":125},{"slug":"hailstone-national-wildlife-refuge","km":126}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=bica"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.608Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"No Water Available at Ok-A-Beh Marina - Flushing Restrooms Closed","text":"Due to a water shortage, flushable toilets are currently unavailable at the Ok-A-Beh Marina. Vault toilets are available at the upper parking lot and a floating restroom is available on the courtesy dock.","url":null,"updated":"2026-07-17 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-52D6F190-9C36-4446-912A-969E6F8BACC2"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/bighorn-canyon-national-recreation-area/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/bighorn-canyon-national-recreation-area.geojson"}