Third Bighorn River Blueway Trail float August 10 starting in Basin

If you have never floated the Big Horn River, you have a great opportunity to do so during the third float sponsored by the Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative. 

The community float will take place Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting at the Basin Boat Ramp and ending at Greybull City Park, covering 11 miles of the proposed Big Horn River Blueway Trail. 

This event is open and free to the public.

The two previous floats included a mix of people who had never floated the Big Horn and others who floated it numerous times. All agreed the float was fun and somewhat educational. 

Laurel Stephens, outreach coordinator for the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Office, was a participant last year. She said the float was her first time on this portion of the river.  That was also the case for most of the other 50 participants that day.   “It was a really good thing for people to discover and explore the resource right in their backyard,” she said, adding
that she is looking forward to doing it again. 

Amy Crawford, also from Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, explained that the float is hosted by the Bureau of Land Management Wyoming, National Park Service, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and Wyoming State Parks. 

She added that participants of all experience levels are welcome; experienced volunteers and agency staff members will assist participants from the boat launch to the takeout location. Upon arrival, volunteers and agency staff will provide a safety briefing and assist with watercraft preparation for an 11 a.m. launch. 

Last year a person floated with a pool floatie. This is not recommended. In fact, participants will need to bring their own personal flotation device and non-motorized watercraft such as a kayak, paddle board, canoe or inflatable raft. They are also encouraged to wear the appropriate attire and to bring sunscreen, water and snacks for the float.  

Crawford noted, “All watercraft using Wyoming waters are required to display an aquatic invasive species decal.”

 Costs for the decal range between $5 and $30, depending on the type of watercraft and either where the watercraft is registered or state of residency of the watercraft owner. Learn more and purchase AIS decals at wgfd.wyo.gov/fishing-boating/aquatic-invasive-species-prevention/ais-decal-information. 

The Big Horn River Blueway Trail has been an initiative of the collaborative since 2020 and the proposed route will start at the Wedding of the Waters south of Thermopolis and end at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Lovell, covering a 95 mile stretch of the Big Horn River. 

This trail will offer recreationalists a wide variety of outdoor opportunities including wildlife watching, ever changing scenery, fishing, picnicking, boating, paddling and camping, and it will contribute to the health of the Bighorn Basin’s travel and outdoor recreation industries. 

With the float ending in Greybull participants are invited to the town of Greybull Brewfest at the city park. There is live music, food and all you can drink beer from 4-8 p.m.