Listen
Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.
About this sound
Hiking the Om-Ne-A Trail and the Yellowtail Dam construction road in the north offer dramatic views of the Canyon mouth. IN the south, trails from the park road the Canyon rim such as State Line, Sykes Mountain, Sullivan's Knob and Rim Loop reveal the sheer cliffs and sparkling waters of Canyon Vistas. Layout Creek trail climbs above the Ewing-Snell Ranch into cooler Douglas fir forest to a refreshing spring. Wildlife Watching and Birding provides the chance to observe animal behavior. Look for black bear roaming along the lakeshore in Black Canyon. Study the bighorn lambs between the state line and Barry's Landing as they prepare for adulthood by playing headbutting and agility games. Scan the skies over Yellowtail Wildlife habitat for birds migrating through or making this their summer or winter home. Reliving the Human History allows us to imagine transporting all our possessions over the Badpass Trail hundreds of years ago as we followed the seasonal changes in search of food. Cattle ranching at the Mason-Lovell and Lockhart Ranches was hard work in remote country. Cattle drives along the park road can still be seen as cattle are driven to prime grazing land. Miners cut prospect pits searching for uranium. How did the people change the land? How did the land change the people? Camping is allowed in developed campgrounds, boat-in campgrounds, and below the highwater mark along Bighorn Lake. Backcountry backpacking is also available although fresh water is limited. Wayside Guides, Hiking Guides, Bird Lists, and Wildlife and Ranching inserts are available in he Visitor Center. Stay awhile and explore Bighorn Canyon.
Why parks record sound
The NPS Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division monitors soundscapes in parks across the United States. Natural quiet is treated as a resource to protect, like clean air or dark skies: noise from aircraft, vehicles and machinery can mask animal communication and change the experience of a place.
More sounds
Pond Trail Sign 6: The Power of Nature
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Pond Trail Sign 5: Migration
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Pond Trail Sign 2: The City
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Pond Trail Sign 3: Metamorphosis
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Pond Trail Sign 4: Tracks
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Pond Trail Sign 1: Wildland Romance
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Sources & credits
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area by US National Park Service – Public domain