Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is offering a mix of programs in July in the South District of the park near Lovell. They include trail explorations, ranch tours and campground programs.

• July 1 and July 15 — Volunteers Lynn Richardson and Mike Bridgeman will give tours at the Lockhart Ranch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

• July 2-4 — Law enforcement officers will be on heightened alert for those boating under the influence as part of the annual Operation Dry Water weekend. The operation is a year-round awareness and enforcement campaign focused on reducing the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities. Bighorn Canyon Park Rangers will be at boat ramps throughout the park promoting boater safety and a new Jr. Skipper program for the children. 

• July 8 — Meet Ranger Logan Burns at 9 a.m. at the Ranger Delight Trailhead to learn how plants exist in this dry climate. 

• July 9 — Yucca plants are an important part of the ecosystem. Learn how important they are with Ranger Maddy Crutchley at the Horseshoe Bend amphitheater at 7 p.m.

• July 10 — Join Ranger Jennifer Prentiss for an interactive game of “Guess Who?” at the Horseshoe Bend amphitheater at 7 p.m. Learn about local animals who live in our canyon, feel real pelts, and even check out a few skulls. 

• July 16 — What kind of plants and animals lived in the warm sea that formed the limestone seen in the canyon’s walls, some 340 million years ago? Volunteer Greg will answer this question at the Horseshoe Bend amphitheater at 7 p.m.

• July 22 — In partnership with PVCE, Ranger Logan Burns will give a tour of the Ewing/Snell Ranch. The tour leaves Powell at 8:30 a.m. Contact PVCE to register. 

• July 23 — Meet volunteer Greg at the Devil Canyon overlook at 6 p.m. for a 360-degree look at the geology of Bighorn Canyon. Ever wondered how Bighorn Canyon was formed or about the stories behind different rock formations? Learn all about the area’s fascinating geologic history on this short walk.

• July 29 — Meet Greg at the State Line Trail at 6 p.m. to take a walk through time. Participants will learn what the rocks tell us about the geologic history of the canyon.  

• July 30 — Meet Ranger Emma Lopez at the Sullivan’s Knob trailhead at 5 p.m. and venture to the edge of the canyon in search of wildlife. What evidence can be found of the various animals that live in the canyon? What birds of prey call this area home? Make sure to bring a camera. Lopez will share some photography tips including how to make your nature photographs stand out.  

• July 31 — Join Lopez at the Sullivan’s Knob trailhead again as she explores the Japanese art of Forest Bathing, but in the desert landscape of Bighorn Canyon. Forest bathing is a natural stress reducer, which involves moving through a landscape at a slow pace and using all the senses to fully experience the healing powers of nature. Come with an open mind, and silenced phones. Bringing a flashlight is encouraged, just in case!

Additional programs will be held in the North District of the park near Fort Smith, Montana. Contact Bighorn Canyon officials at the Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center at 406-666-9961 for more information about those.

For questions about the programs on the South District near Lovell, call the Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center at 307-548-5406.