Bighorn National Forest
Red Flag Warning issued September 3 at 9:17PM MDT until September 3 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
* IMPACTS: Low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong gusty winds will create erratic fire behavior. * AFFECTED AREA: In North Central WY Fire Zone...284. In South Central MT Fire Zone...129. * COUNTIES AFFECTED: In North Central WY...Big Horn...Johnson...Sheridan...Washakie. In South Central MT...Big Horn...Carbon...Yellowstone. * WIND: South 10 to 20 mph with gusts 25 to 35 mph. * HUMIDITY: As low as 10 percent. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS: The worst conditions are expected across the lower elevations. * TEMPERATURES: Up to 96.
Red Flag Warning issued September 3 at 9:17PM MDT until September 4 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
* IMPACTS: Low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong gusty winds will create erratic fire behavior. * AFFECTED AREA: In North Central WY Fire Zone...274. In Southeast MT Fire Zones...131...132. In Southeast MT and Northwest SD Fire Zone...133. * COUNTIES AFFECTED: In North Central WY...Sheridan. In Northwest SD...Harding. In South Central MT...Big Horn. In Southeast MT...Carter...Custer...Fallon...Powder River Rosebud...Treasure. * WIND: South 10 to 20 mph with gusts 25 to 35 mph. * HUMIDITY: As low as 10 percent. * TEMPERATURES: Up to 98.
Red Flag Warning issued September 3 at 9:17PM MDT until September 4 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
* IMPACTS: Low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong gusty winds will create erratic fire behavior. * AFFECTED AREA: In North Central WY Fire Zone...284. In South Central MT Fire Zone...129. * COUNTIES AFFECTED: In North Central WY...Big Horn...Johnson...Sheridan...Washakie. In South Central MT...Big Horn...Carbon...Yellowstone. * WIND: South 10 to 20 mph with gusts 25 to 35 mph. * HUMIDITY: As low as 10 percent. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS: The worst conditions are expected across the lower elevations. * TEMPERATURES: Up to 96.
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
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