Planning a Trip

Access Points -- There are two portions of the recreation area and two different access points. On the Montana side, from Billings, exit I-90 at Hardin and follow Route 313 south to Fort Smith and Yellowtail Dam.

The Wyoming section is accessed about 3 miles east of Lovell. From I-90 north of Sheridan, head west on U.S. 14 and turn north on Wyo. 37. The route is well marked.

Fees -- The daily entrance fee is $5 per vehicle.

Visitor Information -- Contact Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 7458, Fort Smith, MT 59035 (tel. 406/666-2412; www.nps.gov/bica).

Bighorn Canyon has visitor centers with exhibits and a descriptive film in each of its sections. Near Lovell, Wyoming, the Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitors Center, 20 Hwy. 14A E., Lovell, WY 82431 (tel. 307/548-2251), is open daily from 8am to 6pm in the summer and from 8:30am to 4:30pm Thursday through Monday in the winter. The Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center (tel. 406/666-3218) in Montana is open 9am to 5pm daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day as well as Thursday through Monday in early May and late September.

For additional information, contact the Lovell Area Chamber of Commerce, 287 E. Main St., Lovell, WY 82431 (tel. 307/548-7552; www.lovellchamber.com).

Regulations & Warnings -- The park has a number of black bears, which are not generally as dangerous to people as grizzlies, but can cause problems when they learn that humans carry food. Therefore, never feed the bears, not only for your safety but for theirs as well.