• Red cliffs descend into the water of Bighorn Canyon

    Bighorn Canyon

    National Recreation Area MT,WY

For Teachers

Educational Opportunities
Each year more and more teachers are interested in using Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area as a tool to help their students understand the natural world around them.

Bighorn Canyon features stunning scenery, diverse plant and animal communities, and Paleo-Indian, Native American and Pioneer history. It's a wonderful outdoor classroom for school groups.

The material and links on this page should help you plan a successful educational experience whether you bring your class to Bighorn Canyon, or want to bring Bighorn Canyon into your classroom.

New For 2012!
Click here to learn about the Bighorn Canyon In Your Classroom Program

Bighorn Canyon Curriculum Based Program

The Bighorn Canyon education curriculum was designed to meet the Wyoming and Montana state standards, which are based on the National standards. Teachers will find several activities for Kindergarten through eighth grade, with students divided into 2 grade levels.

The topics and background information are in the fields of:

  • Geology
  • History
  • Life Sciences

Some of the activities are designed as pre-field trip and post-field trip activities while others are designed to stand alone for those teachers that are unable to bring their students to Bighorn Canyon.

We hope that you find the teacher guides helpful. We invite you to adapt each lesson to serve your needs and inspire your students to learn about the world around them.


Explore the curriculum materials as listed above. If you need additional information or have questions, contact the park at 307-548-5406.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area - Education Program Goals

  • To provide opportunities for the students to form their own emotional and intellectual connections between park resources and values.
  • To introduce students to the mission of the National Park Service and the significance of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
  • To provide a curriculum-based, outdoor education experience that is age appropriate and supplements classroom learning objectives.
  • To introduce students to the value of protecting natural and cultural resources for future generations.

Educate Yourself - Background Information
Check out the links below for information on the park's cultural and natural history:

Nature and Science

History and Culture




  • Nature & Science Nature & Science

    Find out more about Bighorn Canyon's natural world Read More

  • Plan a Field Trip Plan a Field Trip

    Learn more about the park with an onsite visit! Read More

  • Entrance Fee Waivers Entrance Fee Waivers

    Educational groups visiting the park may qualify for an entrance fee waiver. Read More

Did You Know?

Aerial view of Yellowtail Dam in Bighorn Canyon NRA

The arch-type Yellowtail Dam, named for Robert Yellowtail, rises 525 feet and generates enough power for 124,000 households, equivalent to about one-third of all the households in Montana. More...