Bighorn National Forest
Extreme Heat Watch issued July 22 at 10:51PM MDT until July 26 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures 95 to 110 possible. * WHERE...Portions of central, south central, and southeast Montana and north central Wyoming. * WHEN...From Friday morning through Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events.
Flood Watch issued July 22 at 3:16PM MDT until July 23 at 2:00AM MDT by NWS Billings MT
The combination of a moist and unstable air mass with slow moving thunderstorms capable of producing very heavy rain, will bring a risk of flash flooding late this afternoon and evening. * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of south central Montana, including the following areas, Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains, Beartooth Foothills, Bighorn Canyon, Livingston Area, Northern Carbon, Paradise Valley, Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains, Red Lodge Foothills, Southeastern Carbon and Southern Big Horn and north central Wyoming, including the following areas, Northeast Bighorn Mountains and Sheridan Foothills. * WHEN...Until 2 AM MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Recent burn scars, including the Robertson Draw and East Side south of Red Lodge, and the Elk along the eastern slopes of the Bighorn Mountains, are at risk of experiencing flash flooding and debris flows. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Thunderstorms capable of producing very heavy rain are expected late this afternoon and evening. These storms may cause localized flash flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Watch issued July 22 at 12:54PM MDT until July 23 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Riverton WY
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of central, north central, northwest, south central, southwest, and west central Wyoming, including the following areas, in central Wyoming, Casper Mountain, Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range, Lander Foothills, Natrona County Lower Elevations, Owl Creek and Bridger Mountains, Southwest Bighorn Basin, Upper Wind River Basin, Wind River Basin, Wind River Mountains East and Wind River Mountains West. In north central Wyoming, Bighorn Mountains Southeast, Bighorn Mountains West, Northeast Johnson County, Southeast Bighorn Basin and Southeast Johnson County. In northwest Wyoming, Absaroka Mountains, Cody Foothills, Jackson Hole, North Bighorn Basin, Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains and Yellowstone National Park. In south central Wyoming, East Sweetwater County, Flaming Gorge and Rock Springs and Green River. In southwest Wyoming, South Lincoln County. In west central Wyoming, Salt River and Wyoming Ranges, Star Valley, Upper Green River Basin and Upper Green River Basin Foothills. * WHEN...Until late Wednesday night. The most likely period of possible flooding is between 3pm Wednesday through 4am MDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Slow moving showers and thunderstorms and abnormally high moisture in the air can bring locally heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Overview
Bighorn National Forest is located in north-central Wyoming and encompasses 1.1 million acres in the Bighorn Mountains, ranging from 5,500 to 13,175 feet at Cloud Peak. The forest is currently open with normal operations. Key closures as of December 2025 include: Shell Falls Interpretive Site (closed for construction mobilization), Tongue River and Cliff Dweller's Caves (closed April 15-August 31 annually), Cutler Nordic Ski trails (temporarily closed for improvements), and the Black Mountain Fire Lookout. Most routes are snow-covered for winter, so consult the Motor Vehicle Use Map for seasonal road opening dates. Important regulations: 14-day stay limit year-round for camping, mandatory food storage in hard-sided containers or bear-resistant storage, 72-hour maximum for unattended property, and minimum 6 inches of snow required for over-snow vehicle use. Special S-Areas have seasonal motorized restrictions to protect wildlife and ecological reserves. West Tensleep Corridor has specific camping and human waste management restrictions. The forest offers diverse terrain from grasslands to alpine meadows, with abundant camping, hiking, hunting, and winter recreation opportunities. Located conveniently between Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone.
Campgrounds
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!