July 3, 2024

Despite the lack of water at Guernsey State Park for approximately the rest of July, due to the annual silt run, plenty of recreational activities will still be available.

            According to information from the Bureau of Reclamation, Guernsey Reservoir will experience a rapid decline in water level, approximately 25 feet, beginning July 7. The boat ramps will not be useable from approximately July 11 through July 27. The reservoir is expected to reach the normal reservoir operation level on July 30.

However, camping, hiking, mountain biking, the playground and museum will still all be open and available for use.

In addition to the recreational opportunities listed above, Guernsey State Park provides

the finest examples of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work in the Rocky Mountain area.

Built by the CCC, the Guernsey Museum, the Castle and Brimmer Point are available to explore. The museum is perched on a high cliff, overlooking the water. The building itself is made of hand-hewn timbers and hand forged iron.

The Castle, with its giant fireplace and winding steps, leads to an observation area for a spectacular view of the park.

An extensive network of trails was originally planned and partially built during the operation of the CCC camps. Ever since that time hiking and trail use has been a major feature at Guernsey State Park. Approximately ten miles of CCC trails have been restored on the park.. Most of the trails are moderately physically demanding.

For more information about Guernsey State Park, please call 307-836-2334.

July 3, 2024

The Wyoming Arts Council, in partnership with Wyoming State Parks, recently concluded the first of two Plein Air in the Parks events at Curt Gowdy State Park.

After creating work over five days, the program closed with an art show, sale, and awards ceremony that offered over $2,000 in cash awards. This year’s judges were Laura McDermit, Director of Laramie Public Art Coalition, and Alexis Pratt, Superintendent of the Historic Governor’s Mansion and Quebec - 01. They deliberated over 30 works of art in the adult and youth divisions.

The Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming State Parks are pleased to announce the event’s winners. Receiving both Best in Show and 3rd place in the Youth Division was Maggie McClintock (Cheyenne) for her pieces “Nuts About Nuts” and "Dancing in the Moonlight” Taking 2nd Place in the Youth Division was the piece “Camping at Curt Gowdy with Pappy & Grandma & I Love Them,” by Aviv Mantake (Cheyenne).

Elizabeth Baldwin (Laramie), the artist of “Light on the Shoreline,” received Best in Show for the Adult Division. Claiming 2nd place in this division was Georgia Rowswell (Cheyenne) with, “Beautiful WY - Aren’t We Lucky II.” The painting, “Hidden Falls,” by Lori Kostur (Saratoga) received 3rd place, while Angela Jones (Cheyenne) took home the People’s Choice Award for her piece, “A Hike to Remember.”

Plein Air in the Parks seeks to engage state, regional, and youth artists in the legacy of painting on-site outdoors, all while exploring the rich landscapes of Wyoming’s State Parks. 

The Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming State Parks will be hosting another Plein Air in the Parks event in Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, WY on September 11-15, 2024. For more information on this event please visit, wyoarts.state.wy.us/wac-program/plein-air-in-the-parks or contact Ismael Dominguez at 307-275-4476 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Image Description: Adult Division Best in Show winner Elizabeth Baldwin stands next to Wyoming Arts Council staff member Kim Mittelstadt holding the winning piece “Light on the Shoreline.”

June 28, 2024

The Wyoming State Archives and WyoParks is hosting a special speaker series event titled, “The Register in the Desert,” on Thursday, July 11 at 7 p.m.

Join Superintendent of Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park (EKW) and Independence Rock State Historic Site Linley Mayer in person at the Wyoming State Museum classroom, located at 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne, for this presentation. For those not able to attend in person, registration to attend the event online is through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/wyoming-state-archives-49902991693.

Virtual and in-person attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and engage with the presenters. This event is free and open to the public.

Superintendent Mayer’s presentation, “The Register of Red Desert,” will focus on this granite monolith that makes up Independence Rock. Learn more about the history and folklore of this famous landmark located along the Oregon Trail. It has seen many groups of peoples and cultures walk across and gather in its shadow.

Linley Mayer is the Superintendent of Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park (EKW) and Independence Rock State Historic Site. Originally from Southern Illinois, Mayer started her career with Wyoming State Parks at Fort Bridger State Historic Site as a seasonal interpreter in 2014, became the Office Support Specialist, during which she obtained a master’s in museum studies, and then served as the Superintendent all at Fort Bridger.

Looking to delve deeply into interpretive work, Mayer was named the first Interpretive Ranger in Wyoming State Park’s history on May 20, 2021, serving the Absaroka District which includes Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site, Trail End State Historic Site, and Keyhole State Park.

Mayer now works along the Oregon Trail again after she accepted the role as Superintendent of EKW and Independence Rock. She is excited to share her knowledge of the Oregon Trail in this new location.

The WSA Speaker Series hosts talks at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Upcoming topics include a presentation on Estelle by author and historian Larry Skogen on August 8 and a discussion about the Arboretum located in the Cheyenne area with State Parks Historic Sites staff on September 12. To view upcoming events, check out the Wyoming State Archives events calendar at https://wyoarchives.wyo.gov/index.php/about-archives/events. A recording of this talk will be available on the WSA YouTube channel the week following the talk.

The Wyoming State Archives collects, manages, and preserves Wyoming state public records that have long-term administrative, legal, and historical value. These records document the history of our state and the activities of Wyoming Government offices. The Archives also collect non-government records that contribute to the understanding of the state’s history.

For more information or if you require special assistance, please contact Sara Davis, Wyoming State Archivist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the WSA at 307-777-7826. The Wyoming State Archives is accessible according to the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.