This document describes a protocol for monitoring indicators of ecological condition in upland plant communities of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (Bighorn Canyon). Upland vegetation and soils at Bighorn Canyon were identified as a vital sign in the Greater Yellowstone Network's (GRYN) monitoring plan (Jean et al. 2005) and as an important indicator of ecological response to climate change in the National Park Service's (NPS) climate change response strategy for high elevation parks (Bingham et al. 2010).