Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area spans the border between Montana and Wyoming in the southeastern region of Montana. With two-thirds of its expanse located in Montana and the remaining third in Wyoming, this magnificent area covers 120,000 acres of pristine wilderness.
At its heart lies the awe-inspiring Bighorn Lake, stretching for 71 miles and created by the construction of the Yellowtail Dam in the 1960s, which impounded the Bighorn River. Within the boundaries of Bighorn Canyon, 55 miles of the lake wind through the spectacular canyon, characterized by towering cliffs reaching heights of up to 1,000 feet. These imposing red and yellow cliffs form a dramatic backdrop, creating a landscape of unparalleled beauty that is the defining feature of this remarkable national recreation area. When viewed from above, Bighorn Lake meanders like a winding ribbon, flowing through the rugged terrain framed by these majestic cliffs.
The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area spans the border between Montana and Wyoming in the southeastern region of Montana. With two-thirds of its expanse located in Montana and the remaining third in Wyoming, this magnificent area covers 120,000 acres of pristine wilderness.
At its heart lies the awe-inspiring Bighorn Lake, stretching for 71 miles and created by the construction of the Yellowtail Dam in the 1960s, which impounded the Bighorn River. Within the boundaries of Bighorn Canyon, 55 miles of the lake wind through the spectacular canyon, characterized by towering cliffs reaching heights of up to 1,000 feet. These imposing red and yellow cliffs form a dramatic backdrop, creating a landscape of unparalleled beauty that is the defining feature of this remarkable national recreation area. When viewed from above, Bighorn Lake meanders like a winding ribbon, flowing through the rugged terrain framed by these majestic cliffs.
