Holiday happenings at the visitor center

Enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, goodies, bird watching and new art in the gallery at Bighorn Canyon’s annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 21. 

The day kicks off with the Kane Christmas Bird Count. Participants should plan to meet at the Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center in Lovell at 7 a.m. to check in.  

Participants should bring binoculars, bird books, spotting scope, camera, clip board, warm clothing and footwear, hat and gloves, lunch and plenty of water and/or warm drinks. Bird count forms are due back to the Visitor Center at 3 p.m.

The Kane Christmas Bird Count Circle is centered around the old town of Kane and extends from roughly Moncur Springs on the west side to Sand Draw near Lovell. It includes a good portion of the Yellowtail Habitat. Pheasant season will still be open, so don’t forget to wear hunter orange.

Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. For those who don’t have a four-wheel drive vehicle, staff will try to pair them with a team who has one.  

Everyone is welcome; no expertise required. Bring a friend. If you are interested in birding but are unsure of your identification skills, you will be teamed up with others who have birding skills.

Open house Saturday

The Holiday Open House, hosted by the Western National Parks Association, will start at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and continue throughout the day. Select bookstore items will be up to 40% off. There will be a cookie decorating table and other tasty refreshments. 

At 10 a.m. join the park staff for an inspiring and transformative art event at the visitor center featuring the evocative works of local artist Michael Hansen.

“This exhibition takes you on a visual journey through Hansen’s compelling narrative of healing and reconnection with the natural world through the medium of oil painting,” Chief of Interpretation Christy Fleming said. “This is more than an art show—it’s a testament to resilience and the boundless spirit of creativity.

“Michael Hansen’s story is one of triumph over adversity. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Hansen found solace and purpose in oil painting, a transition that brought the great outdoors back into his life in ways he never imagined. His transition from an extreme outdoorsman to an award-winning artist is beautifully reflected in his vivid depictions of Wyoming’s breathtaking wildlife and landscapes.”

Hansen will be on site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to discuss his work. The exhibit will run from December 21 through the Fourth of July weekend 2025.

The Bighorn Canyon Cal S. Taggart Visitor Center will be closed December 25, 2024, through January 6, 2025, for the Christmas break. The Visitor Center will return to winter hours on January 7, Tuesday – Saturday, 8:30 to 4:30.

Contact Fleming at Christy_fleming@nps.gov  for more information about the Kane Bird Count or the other holiday happenings.