Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area – South District
WY · Lovell / Bighorn Canyon
20 US Hwy 14A, Lovell, WY 82431
Bighorn Canyon’s South District offers one of Wyoming’s most distinct public-land riding moods: drier, broader, more canyon-shaped, and full of that quiet western vastness that photographs beautifully but feels even better from the saddle. This is not alpine Wyoming. It is layered desert, distant walls, and a kind of open-country grandeur that rewards riders who like big land and dramatic perspective.
Riding guide
Highlights
True western scale, desert light, and canyon-country riding that feels dramatically different from mountain Wyoming.
Riding
Horseback riding is allowed in the South District, and the landscape creates a very specific experience: open country, long views, and a strong sense of the historic West. This is ideal terrain for riders who like scenic miles, desert light, and routes that feel less manicured and more elemental. It can feel austere, but that austerity is a large part of the beauty.
Rideable terrain
27 miles
Trailer parking
The South District Visitor Center is the practical planning base, and riders should use current park guidance to choose their exact south-district access and trailer setup before arrival.
Horse regulations
Horseback riding is limited to the South District, and riders should follow all current National Park Service rules, fees, and access guidance. Conditions, closures, and route details should be checked in advance because this is a large and varied protected landscape.
Getting here
The smartest approach is to begin with the South District Visitor Center information and then stage with intention in the part of the district that best suits your ride. Bighorn Canyon is large enough that casual assumptions about access rarely improve the day. Riders who do a little homework first tend to enjoy the place much more once the trailer door drops.
Planning your visit
Sun, wind, and water planning matter more than some riders expect here. Bring what your horse needs, allow for desert-style exposure, and use the latest district information before arrival. For riders who love canyon country, Bighorn Canyon can feel wonderfully uncrowded and deeply memorable.
Where to stay
The recreation area has abundant camping overall, but horse travelers may prefer to use Lovell or a carefully chosen campground as a base, then focus the ride around the day’s best weather and light. That flexibility suits the district well and lets the landscape stay the star of the trip.
Trails
No trails synced for this park yet.
Campgrounds
No campgrounds listed for this park.
Photos
Stay near this park
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