Area Attractions

This recreation area is home to one of the longest canyons in the country and stretches across the Wyoming Montana border. The landscape is defined by rugged canyon walls, calm waters, and wide open views. Shortly after entering the park, Horseshoe Bend Marina offers swimming and boat rentals, along with a playground for kids and a large grassy area ideal for picnics by the water. Hiking trails run throughout the park, and visitors often spot wild horses and bighorn sheep along the road or nearby hillsides. Continue farther into the park to reach the overlook, where the scale of the canyon fully comes into view.

The Bighorn Mountains rise just east of town, bringing cooler temperatures, forested drives, and long views across the Bighorn Basin. The range is home to the Medicine Wheel, a sacred historic site, and Cloud Peak, the highest summit in the mountains. The area offers extensive opportunities for hiking, backpacking, camping, and fishing in its lakes and rivers. Wildlife sightings are common, including moose, and in winter the mountains support snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, and cross country skiing.

Spanning the high desert and rugged foothills along the Montana Wyoming border, this protected area is home to one of the oldest wild horse herds in the United States. Visitors may spot the horses moving freely across the landscape, often recognizable by the distinctive striping on the backs of their legs, a trait linked to their Spanish ancestry, offering a rare glimpse into a living piece of Western history. Before heading out, it is highly recommended to stop by the Pryor Mountain Mustang Center, an incredible nonprofit program rich with information about the horses, the land, and ongoing conservation efforts.

Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the United States and is best known for its geothermal activity and abundant wildlife. The park is home to bears, wolves, bison, elk, and other species that move freely across large, protected landscapes. Thermal features are a defining part of Yellowstone, including Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, and hundreds of geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles found throughout the park. The park is largely experienced by road, with frequent pullouts and short walks that allow access to major features while preserving the surrounding wilderness.

The Beartooth Highway is widely considered one of the most scenic drives in the nation. Climbing to high alpine elevations, the route winds through mountain passes, open tundra, and dramatic switchbacks with long, uninterrupted views in every direction. The road is especially popular with motorcyclists, thanks to its smooth pavement, sweeping curves, and constantly changing scenery. When open seasonally, the Beartooth Highway makes for a memorable day drive and can also be used as a route to Yellowstone National Park from Lovell, turning the journey itself into part of the experience.

The public lands surrounding Lovell are largely undeveloped and easy to access, made up of open desert, badlands, foothills, and canyon country typical of the Bighorn Basin. These lands are used for scenic driving, hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing, and quiet exploration, and it is common to go long stretches without seeing other people. ATV riding is allowed in many areas on designated roads and trails managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The region is especially notable for the diversity of its fossils and exposed rock formations, with layers spanning millions of years and producing a wide range of prehistoric finds.