By Bria Hammock

The road brought me to Keyhole State Park, a hidden treasure nestled amidst the vast grasslands near Moorcroft. This park, a testament to the incredible beauty of surprises, boasts a stunning reservoir dotted with vibrant pink and orange rocks.

Every trail has a beginning.

The lake’s bright rocks added a splash of color to the serene landscape. I found myself in a  living canvas where the hues shifted with the sun's angle, revealing different shades of beauty. The park is currently working to establish more hiking trails, so I ventured along the Volksmarch trail, which spanned four miles through inlets and meadows. Each step brought me closer to the heart of the scenery, and with every stride, I found myself anticipating what was around the next bend.

That sunset sure has some moves.

Keyhole State Park offered more than just picturesque views, it was brimming with wildlife. From a group of wild turkeys bopping down the path in front of us, to turtles popping their heads out of the water to peek our incoming paddleboards, this land is incredibly alive.

Paddling out onto the glassy water to witness a sunset became a transcendent experience. One of those moments that drew a deep breath from lungs and forced my eyes to close, checking to make sure it was real.  The sight of bald eagles and golden eagles hunting for fish against the backdrop of the setting sun was a visual spectacle that words could hardly capture (but paint definitely can… kind of.)

Nature is quite the orchestra.

The constant dance of fish leaping out of the water created a symphony of movement, a reminder of the vibrant life that thrives beneath the surface. Especially Coulter Bay, with its picturesque cliffs, was a place of inspiration. Climbing down to the water-side rocks allowed me to witness the grandeur from a unique vantage point. As I settled in a little rocky nook and painted the cliffs from below, I felt as though I was capturing a different facet of their majesty, like I was sharing a little secret with the park.

Keyhole was a lesson in embracing the unexpected. It reminded me that beauty can often be found in the most unlikely places, and that the act of exploration is as much about the internal journey as the external one. From the vibrant rocks to the wildlife encounters, each experience was a testament to the intricate tapestry of life that unfolds in these natural havens.