Big Horn: Dinosaur Tracks, Wild Horses and Culture
Accommodation in Big Horn
Between Dinosaur Tracks and Free-Roaming Horses
Big Horn combines impressive natural scenery with unusual evidence of the history of the Earth and humankind. One of the most distinctive attractions is the Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite. It is considered the largest dinosaur tracksite in Wyoming and is one of the few sites worldwide dating from the Middle Jurassic period. The tracks date from approximately 160 to 180 million years ago. A boardwalk, interpretive signs, trails, benches and picnic tables make the visit informative and accessible. Access is provided by a paved access road and a gravel parking area for up to 15 cars and three buses.
The Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range in the northern part of Big Horn County offers a completely different way to encounter the landscape. There, you can observe free-roaming horses from a safe distance. The Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center is located east of Lovell on Highway 14A. PryorWild tours depart from there by reservation. They take place from May 15 through the end of October, Monday through Saturday; the regular departure is at 9:00 a.m., and an evening tour may also be offered. This combination of landscape and wildlife observation is a special choice for travelers who do not want to fill their stay only with classic excursions.
Canyon, Water and Trails
The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers several ways to experience the region actively. Throughout the park, approximately 17 miles of designated trails are spread across 15 hiking routes. Motorized and non-motorized water activities are also possible, including boating, kayaking and canoeing. The area preserves scenic, prehistoric, historic, cultural and scientific resources, thus offering a variety of opportunities for a day of travel.
Two details are helpful for orientation around Lovell: The entrance to the South District of the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is located approximately 5 miles north of Lovell. The Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center is located at the intersection of Highways 14A and 310, 11 miles south and west of the canyon's southern entrance. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, you can therefore consider whether water and nature experiences or museums, historic sites and excursions along U.S. 14A should be the main focus.
History, Museums and Distinctive Landscapes
In Greybull, the Museum of Flight & Aerial Firefighting is dedicated to the history of aerial firefighting and displays several different types of aircraft used for this purpose. The Greybull Museum preserves, displays and interprets local artifacts and stories from Greybull and the Big Horn Basin. It is located at 325 Greybull Avenue and can be visited free of charge. The Bighorn Basin Geoscience Center in Greybull provides additional information about the paleontology of the Bighorn Basin.
There are also distinctive destinations outside the towns. Shell Falls plunge 120 feet into the depths; nature trails and interpretive signs are located beside them. The Shell Falls Interpretive Site offers a viewpoint of the waterfalls and an interpretive trail along the Bighorn Scenic Byway. West of Greybull, the byway follows U.S. 14 and extends from the Powder River Basin to the Big Horn Basin. From Lovell, the Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway follows U.S. 14A.
The Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site combines scenery with early human history. The rock art there covers the surface of a 750-foot-long sandstone cliff. Archaeologists found evidence of human habitation dating back as far as 10,000 years. The Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark is located on the western summit of Medicine Mountain in the Bighorn National Forest east of Lovell. The natural area also includes the Bighorn National Forest, the Cloud Peak Wilderness and the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Refuge.
Which Orientation Fits Your Trip?
For further planning, you can compare the towns of Greybull and Lovell. In the offerings described, Greybull particularly stands for museums, paleontology and the connection to the Bighorn Scenic Byway. Lovell offers connections to Bighorn Canyon, U.S. 14A, the Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center and the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark. This makes it possible to choose accommodation in Big Horn based on your desired pace of travel and preferred discoveries. Queen Bee Gardens adds a local touch: There, you can learn more about beekeeping and sample and take home products.
For the broader travel overview: Wyoming.
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