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.
Hours
See this week's hours below.
- Entrance fee
- The Park Service lists no entrance fee for this site.
- Phone
- 3075485406
- Address
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area South District Visitor Center, Lovell, WY 82431
About Bighorn Canyon
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.
Hours
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Bighorn Canyon NRA is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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.
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.
Things to do
Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Auto and ATV, Biking, Birdwatching, Boat Tour, Boating, Bookstore and Park Store, Camping, Canoe or Kayak Camping, Canoeing, Compass and GPS, Cross-Country Skiing, Dining, Fishing, Fly Fishing, Food, Freshwater Fishing, Freshwater Swimming, Front-Country Hiking, Guided Tours, Hiking, Hunting, Hunting and Gathering, Jet Skiing, Junior Ranger Program, Kayaking, Motorized Boating, Museum Exhibits, Off-Trail Permitted Hiking, Paddling, Park Film, Picnicking, Playground, Road Biking, Sailing, Scenic Driving, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Shopping, Skiing, Snow Play, Snowshoeing, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Stargazing, Swimming, Theater, Wildlife Watching.
Source: National Park Service data feed, checked September 24, 2026. Hours shown are the Park Service's posted standard hours plus any date changes it lists. Official page for Bighorn Canyon ↗