Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — Ave B
Fort Smith, MT Hours and Location

5 Ave B
Fort Smith, MT   59035Driving Directions
Phone: (307)548-5406(307)548-5406 Maps & Directions

https://www.nps.gov/bica/planyou...

National Recreation Area

Operating Hours & Seasons

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

The park is open every day. Some park facilities may be closed for federal holidays.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:Open 24 hours
• Monday:Open 24 hours
• Tuesday:Open 24 hours
• Wednesday:Open 24 hours
• Thursday:Open 24 hours
• Friday:Open 24 hours
• Saturday:Open 24 hours

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $5.00 - Bighorn Canyon Entrance Daily Pass
  $5 per 24 hours for each privately owned vehicle or individual on a bicycle.
• $30.00 - Bighorn Canyon Annual Pass
  The Bighorn Canyon Annual Pass is good for one full year from the month of purchase. An Annual Pass may be purchased at the visitor center in Lovell, WY, the Afterbay Contact Station or Park Headquarters or at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center in the summer.
• $25.00 - Commercial Vehicle Pass 1-6
  A 24 hour commercial vehicle pass for a vehicle that will be transporting 1-6 passengers in the park may be purchased at the Visitor Center in Lovell, WY, the Afterbay Contact Station or Park Headquarters or at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center in the summer.
• $40.00 - Commercial Vehicle pass 7-25
  A 24 hour commercial vehicle pass for a vehicle that will be transporting 7-25 passengers in the park may be purchased at the Visitor Center in Lovell, WY, the Afterbay Contact Station or Park Headquarters or at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center in the summer.
• $100.00 - Commercial Vehicle Pass 25+
  A 24 hour commercial vehicle pass for a vehicle that will be transporting 25+ passengers in the park may be purchased at the Visitor Center in Lovell, WY, the Afterbay Contact Station or Park Headquarters or at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center in the summer.

About

Spectacular Views, Endless Opportunity

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. ..

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.

Visitor Centers

Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center

Construction of the Yellowtail Dam was completed by by the Bureau of Reclamation. This dam, named after the famous Crow chairman Robert Yellowtail, harnesses the waters of the Bighorn River and turns this variable stream into a magnificent lake. Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center

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.

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.

Permits and Reservations Information