Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, National Recreation Area in Montana and Wyoming, United States.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area extends roughly 71 miles through Montana and Wyoming, bordered by steep limestone walls that rise about 1,000 feet (300 meters). Bighorn Lake sits at the heart of this canyon, surrounded by rugged terrain that opens into wider valleys at either end.
Congress established this recreation area in 1966 following the completion of Yellowtail Dam on the Bighorn River. The dam created the lake that now defines the landscape and recreational opportunities in the region.
The Bad Pass Trail along the canyon's western side served as a vital pathway for Native American tribes moving through the region. Today, visitors can walk this historical route and experience the landscape that shaped generations of people.
Two visitor centers provide information and guidance: one in the north near Fort Smith, Montana, and one in the south near Lovell, Wyoming. The area can be explored from both ends, each offering different trails and access points.
The area contains part of the Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range, where mustangs roam freely within protected boundaries. These horses are descendants of animals that have lived in this landscape for generations.
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