About:

In 1901, Asmus Boysen went on a mining exploration trip to Wyoming and checked out the Wind River Canyon, which runs south of Thermopolis, cutting through Owl Creek and the Copper Mountains. He had plans to mine for copper and gold ore, so he suggested building a dam at the canyon's mouth to produce electricity for mining operations.

After facing several challenges, Asmus Boysen successfully built the original dam in 1908, which is now named after him and is the reason for both the park and the reservoir. You can still see remnants of this original dam near the tunnels at the Lower Wind River Campground, especially by sites 12-15.  

Plus, Mr. Boysen set up a 710kW power plant there, but it stopped working in 1923 because a major flood filled the plant with silt. That silt can still be found in the Lower Wind Campground. 

The CB&O Railroad made its way through the canyon in 1911, and the state highway followed in 1925. The current dam was completed in 1951, and Boysen became a state park in 1956. 

Explore the park and see the trains coming through, the train tunnels going through the mountains,  the existing dam, and the remnants of the first dam.

Location

• Historic features can be found throughout the park.
• The Dam and Power Plant near the entrance to the Wind River Canyon.

Availability

• Year-round

Fees

Appropriate Daily Use and Overnight Camping fees apply.

Click here to view the Permits & Fees page