Category: Wyoming

Bighorn Canyon NRA: Horseshoe Bend

On By nationalparkswithtIn Montana, Wyoming3 Comments
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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 the Horseshoe Bend Marina. We stopped at the visitor center in Lovell before continuing a few miles up the road into the park.

Sullivan’s Knob Trail➤

Horseshoe Bend, located within the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA), is a stunning natural feature that offers visitors breathtaking views and a variety of recreational opportunities. Nestled between Wyoming and Montana, the Bighorn Canyon NRA encompasses over 120,000 acres of rugged landscape, including deep canyons, striking cliffs, and expansive bodies of water.

Horseshoe Bend itself is a significant bend in the Bighorn River, creating a dramatic and picturesque scene as the river meanders through the canyon. Visitors can enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing in this beautiful and remote area. We visited too late in the season to take the boat tour of the canyon.

One of the unique and captivating aspects of the Horseshoe Bend area is its population of wild horses. These horses, often referred to as the Pryor Mountain Wild Horses, have roamed the region for centuries. Descended from Spanish mustangs brought to North America by early explorers and settlers, these horses have adapted to the harsh conditions of the Bighorn Canyon. The wild horses are known for their resilience, endurance, and distinctive markings. The Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, established in 1968, provides protection and management for these iconic animals.

We stopped at Horseshoe Bend in late afternoon. We’d looked for horses at the edge of the Pryor Range, but had no luck. So we were thrilled when we arrived at the marina and found them all waiting for us.

Bighorn Canyon NRA Posts➤

Location: Lovell, Wyoming
Designation: National Recreation Area
Date designated/established: October 15, 1966
Date of my visit: September 26, 2023