News Release
NPS, Jen Prentiss
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Contact: Christy Fleming, 307-548-5406
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area has a fun mix of programs for June and July on both ends of the park.The following programs can be enjoyed on the South District of the park near Lovell, Wyoming:
South District Trail Exploration - Come and explore the trails of Bighorn Canyon with a park ranger or volunteer. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Hiking boots or good shoes are a must.
July 8 meet Ranger Logan Burns at 9 AM at the Ranger Delight trailhead to learn how plants exist in this dry climate.
July 23 meet Volunteer Greg at the Devil Canyon overlook at 6 PM for a 360 degree look at the Geology of Bighorn Canyon. Have you ever wondered how Bighorn Canyon was formed or what the stories behind different rock formations are? You will learn all about the area’s fascinating geologic history on this short walk with Volunteer Greg.
July 29 meet Volunteer Greg at the State Line Trail at 6 PM to take a walk through time. Participants will learn what the rocks tell us about the geologic history of the canyon.
July 30 meet Ranger Emma Lopez at the Sullivan’s Knob trailhead at 5 PM. Join Ranger Emma as she ventures to the edge of the canyon in search of wildlife. What evidence can be found of the various animals that live in the canyon? What birds of prey call this area home? Make sure to bring a camera. Ranger Emma will share some photography tips including how to make your nature photographs stand out.
July 31 Join Ranger Emma at the Sullivan’s Knob trailhead as she explores the Japanese art of Forest Bathing, but in the desert landscape of Bighorn Canyon. Forest bathing is a natural stress reducer, which involves moving through a landscape at a slow pace and using all the senses to fully experience the healing powers of nature. While you move slowly through Bighorn Canyon, what will you see, smell, touch, and hear that you might usually miss? Come with an open mind, and silenced phones. Although we don’t plan on using one, bringing a flashlight is encouraged, just in case!
South District Ranch Tours - There are four historic ranches at Bighorn Canyon. Each has their own unique story. Come and learn more about those stories from our rangers and volunteers.
June 24 – Ranger Jennifer Prentiss in partnership with Powell Valley Community Education (PVCE) will be giving a tour of the Hillsboro Ranch. The tour leaves from Powell at 8:30 AM. Please contact PVCE to register for the tour.
July 1 and July 15 – Volunteers Lynn Richardson and Mike Bridgeman will be at the Lockhart Ranch from 10 AM to 2 PM. They will be giving tours as groups come to the ranch.
July 22 – Ranger Logan Burns in partnership with Powell Valley Community Education (PVCE) will be giving a tour of the Ewing/Snell Ranch. The tour leaves from Powell at 8:30 AM. Please contact PVCE to register for the tour.
South District Campground Programs:
Yucca plants are an important part of our ecosystem. Learn how important with Ranger Maddy Crutchley at the Horseshoe Bend amphitheater at 7 PM on July 9.
Come join Ranger Jen Prentiss for an interactive game of “Guess Who?” on July 10 at the Horseshoe Bend amphitheater at 7PM. Learn about local animals who live in our canyon, feel real pelts, and even check out a few skulls.
340 Million-year-old wildlife: What kind of plants and animals lived in the warm sea that formed the limestone seen in the canyon’s walls? Volunteer Greg will answer this question at the Horseshoe Bend amphitheater at 7 PM on July 16.
The following programs can be enjoyed on the North District of the park near Fort Smith, Montana:
North District Trail Exploration
Come and explore the trails of Bighorn Canyon with a park ranger. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Hiking boots or good shoes are a must.
July 9th meet Ranger Lauren Holdorf at the 3 Mile Trail at 10:30 AM. This hike is not three miles, but it does offer views of the Bighorn River and the opportunity to visualize the area before it was developed.
July 15th meet Ranger Jonathan Pooler at the Beaver Pond Trailhead at 9 AM. This trail explores an area of historic and current beaver use and has created amazing bird watching opportunities. Ranger Jonathan will be presenting information about the birds in the area and helping with identification.
North District Campground Programs:
Join Ranger Jonathan Pooler to explore the night skies above Bighorn Canyon June 24th and July 9th at sunset at 8:40 PM at Ok-A-Beh Marina. Jonathan will be presenting a third program on July 23rd at sunset at 8:20 PM at Ok-A-Beh Marina.
Bears, here? Bighorn Canyon is host to more wildlife than you think, including black bears. Join Ranger Lauren Holdorf as she shares how to be safe while adventuring in bear country and tales of her own bear encounters. Join her on June 26th in the Afterbay Contact Station parking lot at 10 AM. Lauren will be sharing this program again on July 22nd and July 29th at the Ok-A-Beh Marina parking lot at 10 AM.
Have you ever heard of Leave No Trace? Ranger Ellie Lorenz will be sharing the 7 principles at 6 PM at Black Canyon campground on July 8.
There is wildlife all over Bighorn Canyon. Do you want to learn more about them? Join Ranger Ellie Lorenz on July 16th at 10 AM at the Ok-A-Beh Marina to learn more.
Partnering with others for Special Events
Little Bighorn Days: Little Bighorn Days in Hardin MT is four days of festivities celebrating the sights and sounds of the past. Enjoy exhibits at the Hardin Library and the Big Horn Country Historical Museum. While at the Museum, take a break from the Living History presentations and hands-on crafts of a bygone era to visit with Ranger Ellie Lorenz at the Bighorn Canyon information table.
Operation Dry Waters: Law enforcement officers across the country will be on heightened alert for those in violation of boating under the influence laws as part of the annual Operation Dry Water weekend, July 2 – 4, 2021. Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign focused on reducing the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities. Bighorn Canyon Park Rangers will be at boat ramps throughout the park over the entire weekend promoting boater safety and the new Jr. Skipper program for the children.
Bighorn River Blueway Event: The public is invited to take part in a kickoff event for the Bighorn River Blueway Trail Event, July 17 in Manderson, WY & Basin, WY. What is the Bighorn River Blueway Trail? The Bighorn River Blue Way Trail is a proposed river trail that would start at the Wedding of the Waters south of Thermopolis, WY and end at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Lovell, WY. From there, recreationalists could continue to the Yellowtail Dam in Fort Smith, MT if they choose to. This trail offers non-motorized water recreationalists a wide variety of opportunities, including wildlife watching, ever changing scenery, fishing (over a dozen game fish inhabit the river), and camping.
The event on July 17 hosted by the Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (BBORC) will highlight the recreational opportunities that the Bighorn River offers with activities for children and adults alike. Those activities include a 1-mile guided beginner river paddle and a 13-mile Bighorn river paddle. Those wanting to participate in the 1-mile paddle should come to Basin Boat Dock Park between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The 13-mile paddle starts at 8 a.m. at the Manderson river launch. Participants will sign in at the ramp and float to the Basin Boat Dock. This paddle will take at least four hours.
Bighorn Canyon hopes you can join us for one or more of these programs. If you have questions about the programs on the South District near Lovell, WY call the Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center at 307-548-5406. For more information about the programs on the North District near Fort Smith, MT, call the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center at 406-666-9961.
Last updated: June 25, 2021