Bighorn National Forest

The Bighorn National Forest is located in north-central Wyoming and spans over a million acres. Within the forest are several species of pine, spruce, fir, and aspen.

The visitor facility is owned by the U.S. Forest Service and was operated by them until closing in 2012. It was briefly reopened in 2019 and is now being leased to Sheridan County Travel & Tourism to operate this summer. It's one of two visitor centers in the Bighorn National Forest.

The Bighorn National Forest, Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site, Wyoming Humanities Council, and the Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association have partnered to fund two student interpreters this summer at the Medicine Wheel and Fort Phil Kearny. Additional funds for two tribal mentors for the interpreters are also available. The objective is to provide Native American perspectives for visitors and strengthen relationships between local communities and tribal governments, communities, and colleges.

The objections were primarily concerned with what the impacts would be on native plant species in an effort to treat invasive ones. Others expressed concern about applying herbicide aerially. In response, the forest has amended their plans to remove two native plant species initially slated for treatment from the project's final decision. Once approved, the new plan will be in effect by the summer of 2023 when treatments will get underway throughout the forest.

Six public meetings in northern and northeastern Wyoming have been scheduled this summer to get public input on solutions for longtime dispersed camping problems. Increased vehicle traffic, crowded camping areas, as well as more human waste and environmental degradation issues have been noted. Comments and suggestions may also be submitted to the Forest Service via their website or by email.

There are plans to spray herbicide aerially in the future, which has drawn both support and criticism. Herbicides, prescribed fire, and other methods are used each year to manage invasive species and sagebrush.

The aim of the solutions are to improve the quality of the visiting experience and reduce damage to ecological resources caused by campers.

Proponents of the plans say herbicides will help fight invasive species while opponents are concerned it will negatively impact small bird and animal habitats.

Tensleep Canyon has been grappling with an influx of rock climbers during the summer months over the last few years. That has caused stress on the area's natural resources and controversy around management of the sport. A new management plan meant to address that was scheduled to go into effect next summer but has since been put on hold.

Next summer, officials with the Bighorn National Forest will begin tree thinning and natural habitation restoration projects in northeastern Wyoming's Goose Creek Watershed as part of its recently approved management plan.