Even with lower than usual water levels, Bighorn Canyon is ready for the Fourth of July weekend.

The lake level stood at 3,627.93 feet on Tuesday. There is minimal driftwood on the lake this year. Boaters are reminded to use caution as even small amounts of driftwood can cause major problems.

This weekend, Bighorn Canyon staff will be participating in the annual Operation Dry Waters program. Expect to see rangers on the boat ramps throughout the park over the entire weekend promoting boater safety and the new Jr. Skipper program.

Both Horseshoe Bend and Ok-A-Beh Marina are open. Fuel is available at Ok-A-Beh Marina. The Ok-A-Beh Marina has a variety of services including pontoon rentals and a small store. The Horseshoe Bend Marina offers food, non-motorized rentals, and boat rentals. Boat tours occur daily.

All docks are in at Barry’s Landing, Horseshoe Bend, and Ok-A-Beh. The swim beach at Horseshoe Bend is open. The floating comfort stations have been placed in Devil Canyon and Dryhead. Black Canyon docks and floating comfort stations have been installed, but because of low water there is a short wade to the campground. The Dayboard 9 boat-in camping site remains closed this summer due to black bear activity in the area.

The Ok-A-Beh swim beach will remain closed after water samples taken from that area tested positive for E. coli that exceed local, state and National Park Service standards for recreational activity. Due to the increased human health risk, the National Park Service warns visitors to avoid swimming in this area until further notice. Park staff will be sampling the area daily and will open the swim beach when it is safe to do so. 

Bighorn Canyon officials were hoping the Afterbay River Launch project would be completed by now, but it has been delayed. 

“We will update users when new construction dates are set,” the park said in a release.

For current lake conditions or help planning a visit, visitors may call the Cal S. Taggart Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center in Lovell at 307-548-5406.