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Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area➤
While staying in Cody, Wyoming, we took a day trip East to visit Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Bighorn Canyon straddles southern Montana and Northeastern Wyoming. The park is characterized by its vast canyons, rugged landscapes, and the Bighorn River, which flows through the area. The canyon itself stretches over 120 miles, making it one of the longest and most impressive in the United States. The Fort Smith, Montana and Lovell, Wyoming sections of the park do not connect. We spent the day exploring from the Lovell entrance, including Barry’s Landing. We stopped at the visitor center in Lovell before continuing a few miles up the road into the park.
Barry’s Landing➤
After the Devil Canyon Overlook, we visited Barry’s Landing. Barry’s Landing takes its name from Grosvener “Doc” Barry. Doc Barry moved from New York to the Bighorn Canyon area to homestead in the 1890s. After some failed attempts at gold mining, he decided to promote Bighorn Canyon as a recreational destination.
Barry, his stepson and a friend set off from Barry’s landing in a small boat on a journey from the Bighorn River to New Orleans. It took them almost 3 months to reach their destination and they made headlines. Barry’s plan worked. His Cedarvale Dude Ranch operated until the 1950s.
Today, Barry’s landing is one of the park’s few river access points. It provides a different view into the canyon. There are a campground and a marina here as well. We walked down the boat ramp to the water’s edge for the views and then returned to the park road to continue exploring.
Bighorn Canyon NRA Posts➤
- Devil Canyon Overlook
- Barry’s Landing
- Lockhart Ranch
- Ewing-Snell Ranch
- Two Eagles Interpretive Trail
- Sullivan’s Knob Trail
- Horseshoe Bend
Location: Barry’s Landing Rd, Montana
Designation: National Recreation Area
Date designated/established: October 15, 1966
Date of my visit: September 26, 2023
