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Bighorn Canyon National Recreation AreaThree Pryor Mountain horses in the snow
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Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Plan Your Visit
 

Closures
Due to National Security issues, Yellowtail Dam no longer offers tours of the Dam or allows access to the top of the Dam. Yellowtail Visitor Center remains open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center will be closed on August 20, 21, 27, and 28, 2008. It will close for the season on September 2, 2008. 

Activities
Bighorn Canyon offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, hiking, magnificent vistas, wildlife watching, camping, and biking. Rental boats are available during the summer from the Ok-A-Beh marina located in the recreation area.

Lake Levels
Since 2000, lake levels have fluctuated between flood levels (over 3640) and historic lows (3572.70 feet). For current lake levels, please call one of the visitor centers.

Recent Lake Levels:

February 15, 2009     3628.72

March 1, 2009          3627.88

March 15, 2009         3627.70

April 1, 2009            3627.11

April 15, 2009          3626.13

Visitors can also abtain lake levels from the Bureau of Reclamation site at: http://www.usbr.gov/gp/hydromet/dayfile_form.cfm

The station code is BHR. The Parameter code is FB. The official lake level readings are taken at 7:00 AM.

The following are Bighorn Lake Facilities Operating Levels:

Ok-A-Beh

Launch Ramp 3580 Feet
Courtesy Docks 3590 Feet
Marina & Gas Docks 3600 Feet
Swim Beach 3610 Feet

Barry’s Landing
Launch Ramp          3580 Feet
Courtesy Docks 3590 Feet

Horseshoe Bend
Launch Ramp          3617 Feet
Courtesy Docks 3620 Feet
Swim Beach 3625 Feet

Black Canyon
Courtesy Docks       3620 Feet

Medicine Creek
Courtesy Docks       3620 Feet

Two additional boat ramps are available in the south district on the Bighorn River. The Kane boat ramp is a high river launch area and the South Causeway boat ramp is a low river launch area. 
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Official Federal Recreation Lands PHOTO CONTEST
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Catch of the Day, photo by Doug Haacke  

Did You Know?
The Bighorn River is a tailwater, which means the water temperature doesn’t fluctuate like a freestone river, and rarely freezes. This means float and wade fishing is available year round, and anglers can be found on the water 365 days a year.
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Last Updated: April 15, 2009 at 13:35 EST