Bighorn National Forest

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Bighorn National Forest
IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)

Location:	Wyoming, USA
Nearest city:	Sheridan, WY
Coordinates:	44°32′0″N, 107°21′0″W
Area:	1.1 million acres (4,500 km²)
Established:	1897
Governing body:	U.S. Forest Service

Bighorn National Forest is entirely in Wyoming, United States and consists of over 1.1 million acres (4,500 km²). Created as a US Forest Reserve in 1897, it is one of the oldest government-protected forest lands in the U.S. The forest is well east of the continental divide and extends from the Montana border for a distance of 80 miles (130 km) along the spine of the Big Horn Mountains, an outlying mountain range separated from the rest of the Rocky Mountains by Bighorn Basin. Elevations range from 5,000 feet (1,500 m) along the sagebrush and grass-covered lowlands at the foot of the mountains, to 13,175 feet (4,000 m) on top of Cloud Peak, the highest point in the Big Horn Mountains. The forest is named after the Bighorn River, which is partially fed by streams found in the forest. While the river and forest used the name "Bighorn" all in one word, the mountains associated with the forest are referred to as the "Big Horns".

Cloud Peak in Bighorn National Forest

Within the forest is the Cloud Peak Wilderness area in which no motorized or mechanical equipment is allowed. The only access into the 189,000 acre (765 km²) wilderness is on foot or horseback. There are 1,500 miles (2,400 km) of trails found in the forest, along with 32 improved campgrounds, lodges and three different scenic vehicular byways. U.S. Highway 14, also known as the Bighorn Scenic Byway, crosses the middle of the 30 mile (48 km) wide forest. Medicine Wheel Passage (U.S. Highway 14A) crosses in the north passing the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark, while the Cloud Peak Skyway (U.S. 16) crosses the highest pass in the forest (Powder River Pass 9,677 ft/ 2,950 m) and is located in the southern section of the forest.

The forest is dominated by lodgepole pine, however, several different species of spruce, fir and aspen also are common. While grizzly bears have not inhabited the forest since the early 20th century, black bears are widespread. Other large mammals include elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and moose. Numerous lakes are found within the forest and most are naturally stocked with trout and at least 100 other fish species. Water quality sampling from the lakes however shows the highest acid rain deposition of any mountain chain in the Rockies.