Forests

Due to dramatic changes in elevation and available moisture, Bighorn Canyon boasts a diverse array of forested habitats. From the conifer stands of douglas fir and ponderosa pine on the high elevations to the water-loving cottonwoods along the river, the park's forests create an ecosystem mosaic for many living things.

 

Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine

Along the north-facing slopes and higher elevations of the park one can encounter these iconic conifers. Less sunlight, particularly on the north-facing slopes, allows the soil to retain more moisture and support these large tree species. Although Douglas firs can reach heights of 250 feet in the Pacific Coast region, they typically reach a maximum of 130 feet in the drier Bighorn Canyon region. Ponderosa pines can grow to 150 feet or more, and have a distinctive reddish-orange bark when fully mature. While Douglas firs have a classic conical shape (think Christmas tree), ponderosas tend to lose their lower branches as they mature; this adaptation, along with ponderosa's thick bark, helps the tree maintain fire resistance. Smaller branches and needles burn easily, so the tree keeps those high above the ground where fire typically cannot reach.

These forests provide critical habitat for many other plants and a diversity of animal species. Juniper and spruce trees are common in these forests, as well as many shrubs and flowering plants. Mammals from black bear to red squirrels find homes along with birds like chickadees and nuthatches.

These forests are found throughout the park, but look for denser stands in the area north of Bighorn Lake. The east face of the Pryor Mountains is covered in a dense Douglas fir forest.

 

Juniper and Mountain Mahogany Woodlands

The most common habitat within the recreation area are stands of juniper and mountain mahogany trees. These trees thrive in the low moisture and shallow, rocky soils which larger trees cannot tolerate. Like many junipers (sometimes called cedar), the Utah juniper common to Bighorn Canyon has a distinctive misshapen form. This is a result of the dry and windy conditions where they grow. Although they typically only reach heights of around 20 feet, some of these trees have been dated to over 600 years old! Like the junipers, mountain mahogany is a shorter, almost shrub-like tree. It has evolved a corkscrew-like seed which allows it to penetrate into the dry, rocky soil where the trees grow.

Many of the trails through the park - such as Sullivan's Knob, Ranger Delight and State Line Trails - pass through these habitats en route to beautiful viewpoints of Bighorn Canyon.

 

Riparian Woodland

Along the Bighorn River, visitors will notice massive trees with deeply furrowed bark. The huge trunks split into several stout branches which could be trees unto themselves. With broad, spade-shaped leaves in the summer, the eastern cottonwood is a distinctive member of the park's ecosystem. These trees depend upon reliable water and periodic flooding, making them a common sight along rivers and near moist areas, even in some of the driest regions of the country.

Growing in the wettest places of the driest areas, cottonwoods are only one member of a plethora of plant species. Smaller trees and shrubs like willows and chokecherry are found in this habitat. Numerous animals find food and shelter throughout these vegetated areas. Listen for the western tanager or red-shafted flicker darting from tree to tree, or get lucky and spot a raccoon, skunk or beaver in the thick brush. Larger birds like geese and ducks live along the river throughout the warmer months, while bald and golden eagles are common in the winter.

As one of the more habitatable areas of the park, these riparian woodlands have also become home to several non-native plants. Some, like tamarisk, were intentionally introduced and have become invasive. Once thought to be a nice ornamental shrub that could help prevent soil erosion, tamarisk has proven to be detrimental to the health of these riparian areas which rely on the natural changes river erosion brings to the ecosystem. Extremely difficult to remove permanently, it is one of the many invasive species which the park has to manage to protect the natural processes and native life of Bighorn Canyon.