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Bighorn National Forest
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About Us
No region in Wyoming is provided with a more diverse landscape than the
Big Horn Mountains; from lush grasslands to alpine meadows, and rugged
mountaintops to canyonlands and desert.
GORGEOUS CANYON COUNTRY is a hallmark of the Forest. These canyons were formed by thrust faults on both the east and west flanks and millions of years of erosion. Shell, Tensleep and Crazy Woman Canyons are among those that can be enjoyed from your car window. Others, like Tongue and Devil's Canyon are better viewed on foot.
GEOLOGY is noteworthy on the Big Horns. Watch for highway signs that trace the geologic history of this region as you travel the major highways.
One of our many treasures is an abundance of large MOUNTAIN MEADOWS. These natural openings, caused by soil type and moisture levels, favor grasses and wildflowers rather than trees. Imagine acre upon acre of yellows, blues, purples, pinks and reds splashed upon the landscape in changing patterns and hues.
Interspersed with mountain meadows are large patches of cool EVERGREEN FOREST extending from just above the foothills to the timber line. Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir populate the lower slopes with lodgepole pine, subalpine fir and Englemann spruce at the higher elevations.
Open landscapes make for great WILDLIFE VIEWING as well. Watch for moose munching on a tasty bite of willow streamside or a family of mule deer bounding away, then stopping to look back with large ears raised and listening.
HISTORY BUFFS come to this region to explore the land that once felt the footsteps of legendary giants like Jim Bridger, Lewis and Clark, Red Cloud, Plenty Coups and Buffalo Bill. This area was highly valued by tribes like the Crow, Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe. Some of the most famous battles between the Native American Indians and the US military were waged at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains or in close proximity.
Forest FactsHow big is the Forest? Where are our special places? MissionWhy we exist and why we do what we do. HistoryThe Bighorn National Forest, created on February 22, 1897, is among the oldest of the National Forests. It is named for the Bighorn River whose headwaters rise within Forest boundaries. Natural ResourcesThe Forest Service is all about sustaining resources—land, water, vegetation, and wildlife. Heritage resources are important remnants of the past—prehistoric and historic human culture and ancient animal life. |
LocationWhere in the U.S.A. is the Bighorn National Forest located. OrganizationLearn about the organization and structure of the National Forests, the United States Department of Agriculture and where the Bighorn National Forest fits in. New Century of ServiceThe Forest Service celebrates our 100th birthday in 2005. Find out how we're preparing to provide another 100 years of service through the Rocky Mountain Region's Forests and Grasslands. RecreationOur Forest offers a diverse array of outdoor opportunities. These lands are yours—to visit, care for and, most of all, enjoy. |
ResearchThe Rocky Mountain Research Station supports our natural-resource programs through relevant research and development of state-of-the-art management tools. Service FirstService First is a partnership between the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. This partnership provides one-stop shopping, just as the trading post did in the frontier days. |
USDA Forest Service, Bighorn National Forest
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Last modified
March 29, 2004