Bighorn River & Canyon
The Bighorn Canyon is located just east of Lovell and is a spectacular sight
that somehow doesn't get as much glory as it deserves. The area was originally
impassable by human travelers. About 10,000 years ago indigenous
hunter-gatherers created the Bad Pass Trail above the canyon's western rim. This
same trail was later used by fur trappers who traveled around the area.
The canyon was carved out by the Bighorn River eons and eons ago. Over time, the
moving river left a 2,200 foot deep canyon in the desert country. In 1967 the
Yellowtail Dam was built and backed the canyon water up, thus filling the canyon
with water. The dam provides 250,000 watts of energy for the western United
States.
The building of the Yellowtail Dam also created the Bighorn Lake. The Bighorn
Lake stretches the entire length of the Bighorn Canyon, 71 miles. The lake and
canyon are extremely wild and pristine. You'll find bighorn sheep frolicking in
the high rocks of the canyon, while the side canyons are home to many elk, mule
deer, and black bears. Don't forget to look up as well, being that there are
many raptors nesting in the cliffs. River travelers often spot a lot of
wildlife.
Another area of interest is Devil Canyon, which connects to the eastern rim of
the Bighorn Canyon. Here there are amazing limestone caverns which
paleontologists like to study and perform digs in. Here, paleontologists have
found remains of a woolly mammoth, steppe bison, primitive horses, and even
camels.
The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area covers 120,000 acres and is managed
by the National Park Service. If you are planning to visit the Bighorn canyon
National Recreation Area, there is a $5 a day vehicle fee. There are also annual
passes for $30, and a National Parks pass, $50, which permits unlimited access
for a year.
The Bighorn Lake attracts a lot of water sport enthusiasts. Canoeing and sea
kayaking are popular. Scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular, but look out
for the motor boats and jet skiers. Anglers enjoy fishing for brown and lake
trout, as well as perch, catfish, burbot, and other fish.
If water sports are not your thing, many visitors enjoy hiking the rims above
the Bighorn and Devils Canyons. There are miles and miles of trails through the
high desert scrub. Although you don't experience a lot of elevation changes, the
steep drop offs at overlook points are dangerous. Hike with caution. There are
also opportunities to go spelunking in the Horsethief Cave and Bighorn Caverns.
However, a special permit must be first obtained in Cody.
There are 180 miles of winding roads in the canyon. A paved road runs north from
US Hwy 14A along the west side of the reservoir. The rough and gravely John Blue
Canyon Road goes along the east side of the lake.
46FOther pages you might find helpful:
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is a great place to visit just outside of Lovell, Wyoming.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Information about Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Friends of the Bighorn River
Friends of the Bighorn River strives to distribute news and information to people living in the area.
