Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to explore a new stretch of the Bighorn River during the fourth annual Bighorn River Blueway Community Float on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Hosted by the Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and the City of Lovell, this year’s event will showcase two new river access sites, Red Rim Meadows and Eagle Nest, located off Crystal Creek Road near Lovell.
Participants will paddle approximately eight miles from Red Rim Meadows to Eagle Nest, a trip expected to take about three hours. Organizers ask participants to bring their own watercraft, including kayaks, canoes, small rafts or inflatables, along with a life jacket, water, snacks, sunscreen and weather-appropriate clothing.
Participants can meet at Red Rim Meadows at 10 a.m. or at the Lovell Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m.
The annual float is part of the ongoing Bighorn River Blueway Trail project, a regional initiative to establish a water trail stretching from the Wedding of the Waters south of Thermopolis to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area near Lovell, with the opportunity for paddlers to continue to Yellowtail Dam in Montana. The trail is intended to provide expanded opportunities for paddling, fishing, wildlife viewing and camping while improving public access along the river.
Planning for the Blueway Trail has been underway for the past five years, with organizers continuing to map the route and develop resources highlighting access points and safety information.
Organizers noted water levels are lower than normal this year, and the float schedule or route could change depending on river conditions.
All watercraft using Wyoming waters are required to display an Aquatic Invasive Species decal, though non-motorized inflatable watercraft 10 feet or shorter, paddleboards and water sport toys are exempt.
For updates or additional information, please contact Outdoor Recreation Coordinator Amy Crawford via email at Amy.Crawford@wyo.gov or call the Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center at (307) 548-5406.