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Bighorn Canyon National Recreation AreaRed, chugwater hills reflect off the water near the South Narrows
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Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Plan Your Visit

Closures
Due to National Security issues, Yellowtail Dam no longer offers tours of the Dam or allows access to the top of the Dam. Yellowtail Visitor Center remains open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Activities
Bighorn Canyon offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, hiking, magnificent vistas, wildlife watching, camping, and biking. Rental boats are available during the summer from the Ok-A-Beh marina located in the recreation area.

Lake Levels
Since 2000, lake levels have fluctuated between flood levels (over 3640) and historic lows (3572.70 feet). For current lake levels, please call one of the visitor centers.

Recent Lake Levels:

March 1, 2008      3617.18

March 15, 2008    3615.95

April 1, 2008        3613.47

April 15, 2008      3610.72

May 1, 2008         3608.79

Visitors can also abtain lake levels from the Bureau of Reclamation site at: http://www.usbr.gov/gp/hydromet/dayfile_form.cfm

The station code is BHR. The Parameter code is FB. The official lake level readings are taken at 7:00 AM.

The following are Bighorn Lake Facilities Operating Levels:

Ok-A-Beh

Launch Ramp 3580 Feet
Courtesy Docks 3590 Feet
Marina & Gas Docks 3600 Feet
Swim Beach 3610 Feet

Barry’s Landing
Launch Ramp          3580 Feet
Courtesy Docks 3590 Feet

Horseshoe Bend
Launch Ramp          3617 Feet
Courtesy Docks 3620 Feet
Swim Beach 3625 Feet

Black Canyon
Courtesy Docks       3620 Feet

Medicine Creek
Courtesy Docks       3620 Feet

Two additional boat ramps are available in the south district on the Bighorn River. The Kane boat ramp is a high river launch area and the South Causeway boat ramp is a low river launch area. 
Drift boat on the Bighorn River  

Did You Know?
The first 13 miles of the Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam is the busiest river in the state of Montana, often attracting over 100,000 anglers each year. Surveys show that 75 percent of summer anglers hold non-resident licenses, making this the most popular destination for out-of-state anglers.
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Last Updated: May 06, 2008 at 15:37 EST