History:

The first white men through the Wind River Canyon were the Ashley Fur Party in 1825. The original dam was built by Asmus Boysen in 1908, for whom the park and reservoir are named. Part of the original dam can still be seen adjacent to the tunnels in the Lower Wind River Campground.

Mr. Boysen also built a 710kw power plant at the site. Operations ceased when in 1923 a major flood filled the plant with silt. The CB&O Railroad went through the canyon in 1911 and the state highway went through in 1925. The existing dam was completed in 1951. Boysen became a state park in 1956.

More Information:

Largest State Park in Wyoming, and Reservoir.

The first white men through the Wind River Canyon were the Ashley Fur Party in 1825. The original dam was built by Asmus Boysen in 1908, for whom the park and reservoir are named. Part of the original dam can still be seen adjacent to the tunnels in the Lower Wind River Campground. Mr. Boysen also built a 710kw power plant at the site. Operations ceased when in 1923 a major flood filled the plant with silt. The CB&O Railroad went through the canyon in 1911 and the state highway went through in 1925. The existing dam was completed in 1951.

Boysen became a state park in 1956.

Facts & Figures Dam

• Structural height: 216 feet 
• Crest Length: 1,100 feet 
• Type: rolled earth, rock-fill
• Volume of material: 1,700,000 cubic yards 
• Spillway capacity: 20,000 cubic feet/seconds 
• Power plant: 15,000 kW Reservoir & park 
• Water: 19,560 acres 
• Shoreline: 76 miles 
• Length: 20 miles 
• Widest Point: 5.5 miles 
• Land: 15,145 acres

Fishing

Boysen Reservoir contains a diverse fishery. Anglers will discover walleye, sauger, perch, crappie, ling, rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout as the major sports species. Other game fish present are largemouth bass, bluegill, stonecat, black bullhead, mountain whitefish, lake trout, brook trout, channel catfish and splake. Non-game species include carp, fathead, minnow, plains killifish, golden and sand shiners, flathead, lake and creek chubs, white, longnose and northern redhorse suckers and the river carpsucker.

Park Rules 

• Obey signs, traffic barriers and speed limits. 
• Motorized vehicles shall be operated only on roads, trails, or areas designated for such use. A valid driver’s license or learner’s permit is required. 
• The possession, discharge, or use of fireworks of any kind is prohibited. 
• Camping in designated camping sites is restricted to one camping unit (tent, travel trailer or motorvehicle designed for camping) plus two licensed vehicles (car or boat, RV trailer) plus a maximum of 10 people (immediate family members, kids, grandparents, etc. of permit holder) may exceed this number. 
• Camping is permitted for a maximum of fourteen (14) days at any one state park during any thirty (30) days. 
• Camping units must be occupied on a nightly basis. 
• Quiet shall be maintained in all camping areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. 
• All pets must be kept on a leash.
• Fires are permitted in provided fireplaces/grills and must be extinguished before leaving. 
• Glass containers must be used in vehicles or camping structures. 
• Fishing and boating are permitted subject to the regulations of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. 
• No fishing within 20 yards of any boat ramp/ dock or designated beach area. 
• Park dumpsters are for park refuse only – litter and trash must be disposed of in provided containers. 
• A complete list of rules and regulations is available at the Park office, fee booth, fee station, or state parks website.