Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Welcomes Visitors This Holiday Season with Fall and Winter Programming

News Release Date: October 27, 2026

LOVELL, Wyo. -
As the holiday season approaches, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is ready to welcome visitors to one of Wyoming's most dramatic landscapes. Park staff have completed winterization work and are preparing a full slate of programs so families, outdoor enthusiasts, and sportsmen alike can make the most of their fall and winter visits.

"Bighorn Canyon is an amazing piece of the American West. Whether you're out fishing, hunting, exploring, or simply taking in the views, we want people to have a safe and memorable experience this season, and make it home safely," said Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Superintendent Dustin Sene.

Lake Conditions
As of October 27, 2026, the lake level stands at 3626.4 ft. Boaters should note that small boats may launch at Horseshoe Bend when the lake is at least 3,620 feet, and large boats require a minimum of 3,625 feet. Visitors can check the park's website for real-time alerts if water levels fall below 3,625 feet.

Courtesy docks will remain in place at boat launches until ice begins to form.

Visitor Center Hours
The Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center will be closed November 26 in observance of Thanksgiving Day.

Regular winter hours otherwise apply: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hunting Season Reminder
With hunting seasons underway, visitors recreating in the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Area are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange or other bright colors for visibility and safety.

Facilities Winterization
As facility winterization wraps up, the Visitor Center Fishing Pond will soon be drained for the season. Before that happens, anglers are invited to get out and fish it one last time - standard pond rules apply, and rangers at the front desk can lend fishing equipment to those who need it.

Help Clean Up After the Kane Fire - Firewood Cutting Opportunity
Following the Kane Fire, which burned roughly 1,900 acres of the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area in March 2026, crews partnered with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to remove hazardous trees along roadsides and popular recreation areas. Those downed cottonwoods have spent the summer drying, and now Bighorn Canyon is inviting the public to help with cleanup - and take home free firewood in the process.

From November 3 through 17, 2026, visitors may collect dead and downed wood from a designated area under the following guidelines:

• Check in at the Lovell Visitor Center (open Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.).
• Only dead, downed wood may be collected, and only within the designated area.
• Motorized vehicles must stay on existing roads; do not block traffic.
• Skidding or dragging logs is not permitted.
• Remove all trash and litter; cut and scatter any slash created.
• Follow all current fire restrictions.
• Chainsaws must have a spark arrester; operators must have a fire extinguisher on site.
• Secure all loads before leaving the work area.
• Blaze orange clothing is advised during hunting season.
• All NPS rules and regulations apply; the government assumes no liability for damage, loss, injury, or death.

Maps of the designated wood-cutting area will be made available upon registration.

Upcoming Programs

• Nov. 12 - Winter Is Coming: Join Ranger Jenna at the Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center, 6-7 p.m., to explore how Bighorn Canyon transforms as winter sets in. All ages welcome.
• Nov. 21 - Merry and Bright Sale: Stop by the Lovell Visitor Center during the Lovell Mingle, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Enjoy seasonal activities or make a thank-you card for park staff. Hosted by Western National Parks bookstore staff.
• Nov. 21 - Book Club: The Bighorn Canyon Book Club discusses Cowboy Girl: The Life of Caroline Lockhart by John Clayton, 3-4 p.m. at the Lovell Visitor Center. The series runs through February 2027; full reading list available on-site.
• Dec. 3 - Dark Skies Astrophotography Workshop: Join Ranger Zach at 5 p.m. in the visitor center auditorium to learn how to capture Bighorn Canyon's stunning night skies - and how those photos can help protect them. All skill levels welcome; bring a camera or smartphone. An optional outdoor photography session follows, wrapping up at 7 p.m. Dress warmly.

Bighorn Canyon's wide-open landscapes, dark skies, and rich recreational opportunities make it a true American treasure, and park staff look forward to sharing that legacy with visitors this season.

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, check current conditions, and confirm program details before arriving.
For more information, visit the park's official website and social media channels.

About the National Park Service. Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America's most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.

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