Big Horn Canyon
Day Trip to Lovell. Start your adventure at the Big Horn Canyon in the Pryor mountains with breath taking views at the Devil Canyon Overlook, 1,000 feet above the water. If you stand at the left canyon and give a big belly yell, whoop or holler you should hear it echo back. This amazing canyon runs for 70 miles though Wyoming and Montana.
Yellowtail Dam
I recommend a boat ride north to the Yellowtail Dam. The Dam was engineered and built in the sixties to help irrigate more than 60,000 acres for the new settlers under the Homestead Act. This irrigation effort not only helped the Crow Indians but other setters in the Big Horn Basin. As a result of the dam and efforts to control the flooding, the town of Kane has been flooded. Currently the river feeding the canyon is famous for trout fishing.
Click Here for NPS Big Horn Canyon.
The Yellowtail Dam is 525 feet high and located in the Crow Indian Reservation. The primary purposes of the dam are flood control, power generation, irrigation and recreation.
Click Here for NPS Yellowtail Dam.
Big Horn Sheep
On this day trip to Lovell, continue your day adventure by looking for Big Horn Sheep in the parking lot to the scenic overlook. Did you know that our Big Horn Sheep have adapted to drinking water? Occasionally, Big Horn Sheep will be at the water’s edge drinking, watch in amazement as they climb back up the steep canyon walls. During this adventurous drive keep a look out for purple dirt. This is “dinosaur dirt from the Morrison Formation.
Click Here for NPS Big Horn Sheep.
Pryor Mountain Wild Mustangs
On your drive into the Pryor Mountains be looking for Wild Mustangs. This is home to more than 120 wild mustangs, on the first established public wild horse refuge, established in 1968. Sometimes you will see them on the side of the road, and other times they are just small dots on the horizon.
Click Here for Link the Pryor Mustang Website.
Lockhart Ranch
Your next adventure stop on your day adventure should take you two miles north of Berry’s landing to Lockhart Ranch. Caroline Lockhart started her career in journalism by getting locked in an insane asylum so she could accurately report the treatment of patients. Getting admitted was easy, trying to prove she was not crazy was the challenge. In 1904 she moved to Cody, Wyoming, and later became the owner of the Cody Enterprise newspaper. In 1926 she purchased the Lockhart Ranch. She was also an early owner of an automobile. When walking around the ranch be sure to check the buildings, many of which you can wander around. In the main cabin you can see where the lumber was delivered to Kane, Wyoming, which was later flooded. Click Here for NPS Webpage.
Rose City
Lovell is known as the Rose City because Dr. William Watts Horsley who came to Lovell in the 1920’s was an expert on roses. He claimed the climate in Lovell was exceptional for growing the flower and began to create rose gardens. As you drive through town you will see many rose gardens all around town. If you come to town during Mustang Days, one of the Follies might even give you a embroidered rose sticker.
Nostalgic Stops
To finish on your day trip to Lovell, on you way back into town to start your next adventure at Queen Bee honey factory. Many of the local farming fields contain white rectangular boxes, these are for the local bees. In the local shop not only do they sell local honey, but chocolates and candies all made with the fresh honey. This is the perfect place to find some local gifts to take home and grab some sweet treat just for you.
This nostalgic part of the day adventure, is the Hyartt theater, built in 1950 and is packed full of character. Featuring the largest screen West of the Mississippi. This theater contains 950 seats! It also comes complete with crush red velvet seats. Check out this adventure stop and buy your bargain price ticket for $5! Make sure to come early enough to get some concessions.
PEP/ Powell Chamber/ Powell Visitor Center
Check out our blog for more day adventures from Powell and all of our great shops and fun stops.