Bighorn Lake stretches 71 miles through the dramatic Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, with 55 miles contained within canyon walls that soar 1,000 to 2,500 feet overhead. The lake was created by Yellowtail Dam in 1967 and offers paddlers a unique wilderness experience through towering red and limestone cliffs with minimal road access.

**Access and Launch Points:** From the Montana north end, paddlers can launch at Ok-A-Beh Marina near Fort Smith, which operates Memorial Day through Labor Day. The south end in Wyoming offers access at Horseshoe Bend Marina, Barry's Landing, and Crooked Creek Bay. Note that no road connects the north and south districts—it's a three-hour drive between them by vehicle, though only about 25 miles by water through the canyon.

**Paddling Character:** The canyon section provides a remote, multi-day paddling experience with no roads on either shoreline for approximately 25 miles. Boat-in only campsites include Black Canyon, Day Board Nine, Medicine Creek, Dry Head Creek, and Big Bull Elk Creek—most equipped with floating vault toilets seasonally. The narrow canyon amplifies sound and creates dramatic vistas as cliffs change color with shifting light.

**Conditions and Hazards:** Wind is a significant factor on this reservoir. Weather can change rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common between 2-4 PM during summer. Paddlers should stay close to shoreline when rounding blind turns to avoid motorized boat traffic, which peaks on weekends after 11 AM. The reservoir experiences significant water level fluctuations that affect access to some launch sites and campsites.

**Wildlife and Scenery:** Paddlers may encounter bighorn sheep, wild horses from the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, black bears, and diverse birdlife including peregrine falcons and golden eagles. The Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range borders the lake's west side, with nearly 25% of the range within park boundaries.