Bighorn Canyon
View of the Canyon through the arch at Devil’s Canyon Overlook.
My home is located equidistant from two massive pieces of real estate managed by the National Park Service. Thirty-five miles to the west sits Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 and visited annually by about 4,000,000 fans.
Thirty-five miles to the east of my property lies Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, a lesser known treasure that was established in 1966 with the creation of Yellowtail Dam and the resulting Bighorn Lake.
Evening light at Sullivan’s Knob.
In 2017 I was lucky enough to serve as one of four Artists in Residence at Bighorn Canyon. I spent two weeks living in a small suite in the ranger’s cabin during the month of October. That meant I was able to get out early every morning and return late each evening, spending the hours in between exploring miles of trails and searching out vistas to document with my camera.
Because I chose fall as my time to be in the Canyon, there were far fewer visitors than I would have experienced in the summer months. Many of those who use the area on a regular basis are there for water activities: boating, kayaking, swimming, fishing. The weather during my stay was absolutely perfect for days spent hiking and photographing the vastness of the amazing landscapes.
An ancient juniper grows out of the rock.
Unique landscapes can be found off every trail in Bighorn Canyon. The geology is complex and fascinating and you get the sense of walking through time.
One of the Canyon’s namesake bighorn sheep resting along a trail.
Spring is a great time to visit the canyon to photograph migrating birds. In October I encountered a mix of wildlife including bighorn sheep, rattlesnakes and a variety of raptors. I spied fresh mountain lion tracks on several occasions but didn’t come across any of the large felines.
Morning light near the Wyoming - Montana State Line.
My two weeks at Bighorn Canyon seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. It left me with a strong feeling of connection to the landscape and a love for the area that has not grown any less with time.
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