MOORCROFT, Wyo. – April 3, 2026 - The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources will host a public forum to update the public and gather feedback on a proposed visitor center in the Coulter Bay Area at Keyhole State Park.

The proposed Coulter Bay Visitor Center aims to enhance recreation and education opportunities at Keyhole State Park by providing improved visitor services, interpretive exhibits, and a community gathering space for local small groups, and to be a launch point for recreation at Keyhole State Park.  

“We don’t anticipate a new Visitor Center placing strain on existing routes and resources, but we do see it having a very positive impact on existing visitor services in that area of Keyhole State Park,” said Misty Moore, district manager for Wyoming State Parks. “We hear what our users and neighbors are saying there, and want to reach consensus on the best options.”

This forum follows up on a January meeting at the Pine Haven Community Center, where preliminary concepts and planning information were presented. Wyoming State Parks has revised its vision for Coulter Bay in response to public feedback. The event will again invite conversation to guide next steps in the project development process and give park users and residents an opportunity to learn more about how the new facility will support visitor experiences and natural resource education at Keyhole.

The public meeting will be held:

Date: Apr. 14, 2026

Time: 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Location: Pine Haven Community Center, 3 Industrial Park, Pine Haven, WY 82721

“We are looking forward to presenting a revised concept for the Coulter Bay Visitor Center at Keyhole State Park,” said Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager for the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. “We value the input of our visitors and partners, including the Bureau of Reclamation, as we craft plans for enriching experiences at the park.”

Those unable to attend in person can review the presentation materials and submit feedback via an online public comment form at Bit.ly/PublicCommentKSP following the meeting.

For more information, visit WyoParks.Wyo.Gov/Keyhole or contact Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Misty Moore, district manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Figure 1: Coulter Bay Area at Keyhole State Park. 

Contacts: 

Carly-Ann Carruthers, (307) 777-6968; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Misty Moore, (307) 620-0331; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MOORCROFT, Wyo. – April 3, 2026 - The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources will host a public forum to update the public and gather feedback on a proposed visitor center in the Coulter Bay Area at Keyhole State Park.

The proposed Coulter Bay Visitor Center aims to enhance recreation and education opportunities at Keyhole State Park by providing improved visitor services, interpretive exhibits, and a community gathering space for local small groups, and to be a launch point for recreation at Keyhole State Park.  

“We don’t anticipate a new Visitor Center placing strain on existing routes and resources, but we do see it having a very positive impact on existing visitor services in that area of Keyhole State Park,” said Misty Moore, district manager for Wyoming State Parks. “We hear what our users and neighbors are saying there, and want to reach consensus on the best options.”

This forum follows up on a January meeting at the Pine Haven Community Center, where preliminary concepts and planning information were presented. Wyoming State Parks has revised its vision for Coulter Bay in response to public feedback. The event will again invite conversation to guide next steps in the project development process and give park users and residents an opportunity to learn more about how the new facility will support visitor experiences and natural resource education at Keyhole.

The public meeting will be held:

Date: Apr. 14, 2026

Time: 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Location: Pine Haven Community Center, 3 Industrial Park, Pine Haven, WY 82721

“We are looking forward to presenting a revised concept for the Coulter Bay Visitor Center at Keyhole State Park,” said Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager for the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. “We value the input of our visitors and partners, including the Bureau of Reclamation, as we craft plans for enriching experiences at the park.”

Those unable to attend in person can review the presentation materials and submit feedback via an online public comment form at Bit.ly/PublicCommentKSP following the meeting.

For more information, visit WyoParks.Wyo.Gov/Keyhole or contact Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Misty Moore, district manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Figure 1: Coulter Bay Area at Keyhole State Park. 

Contacts: 

Carly-Ann Carruthers, (307) 777-6968; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Misty Moore, (307) 620-0331; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 2, 2026 – Registration is now open for the Cultural Heritage Institute, a new professional development event hosted by the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR). The one-day, in-person institute will take place Sept. 17, 2026, in Cheyenne and is designed to equip cultural heritage employees, historic site and museum staff, and volunteers with practical skills in preservation and collections care.

Hosted in partnership with the Laramie County Library System, the Institute will bring together emerging and experienced professionals, as well as dedicated volunteers, working in Wyoming’s cultural fields to share ideas, exchange knowledge, and build lasting connections. The event will feature sessions, discussions, and networking opportunities centered on preserving and promoting the state’s shared history, arts, and culture.

“This Institute is an opportunity to invest in the people who care for Wyoming’s history and culture,” said Sara Davis of the Wyoming State Archives. “By bringing people together to share knowledge, learn from one another, and build lasting connections, we’re strengthening the collaboration needed to preserve and promote Wyoming’s cultural heritage for generations to come.”

The Cultural Heritage Institute will offer a foundation in core practices across museums, archives, historic sites, and arts programs. The event will emphasize practical learning, professional growth, and opportunities to connect with mentors and peers across Wyoming’s cultural community. Participants will learn how cultural collections and programs are cared for, interpreted, and shared within the state’s vibrant cultural network.

This initiative is made possible through funding from State Parks and Cultural Resources’ Spark Tank Program, an internal fund that supports SPCR staff in developing and testing innovative ideas to advance the department’s mission. The event is being organized collaboratively by SPCR programs, including the Arts Council, State Archives, State Historic Preservation Office, State Museum, State Parks, and Historic Sites.

Attendance will be free, with registration required and limited to 50 participants. Register at Bit.ly/WyoCulturalHeritageInstitute-Register. 

The event will be held at the Laramie County Library located at 2200 Pioneer Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001. 

For future updates, please visit Bit.ly/WyoCulturalHeritageInstitute or follow SPCR programs on social media by using #WyoCulturalHertitageInstitute2026.

Contact: Sara Davis, (307) 777-7826; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SINCLAIR, Wyo. – April 1, 2026 - Despite lower-than-average water levels at Seminoe Reservoir, Seminoe State Park remains open and continues to offer a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors this spring and summer.

While conditions at the reservoir look different this season, park staff emphasize that Seminoe continues to offer many of the experiences that draw visitors to the area year-round. Shoreline fishing remains productive, with anglers catching walleye, trout, and perch from accessible bank locations. 

Beyond the water, Seminoe State Park offers a wide range of land-based recreation. Visitors can explore miles of open terrain on foot or by off-highway vehicle, take advantage of quiet camping opportunities, and enjoy wildlife viewing and photography across the park’s expansive high-desert landscape. 

“Even with lower water levels, the North Red Hills Boat Ramp remains open and accessible,” said Lonnie Porter, superintendent of Seminoe State Park. “There is still a great deal to experience at Seminoe. This is an opportunity for visitors to explore more of the park beyond the water and enjoy a broader range of recreational opportunities.”

Visitors are encouraged to use caution near shorelines and be aware of exposed hazards. Boating access may be limited, and Wyoming State Parks recommends checking current conditions and ramp availability prior to arrival.

Seminoe State Park is part of Wyoming’s system of reservoir parks, where water levels can vary seasonally. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, recreate responsibly, and follow Leave No Trace principles while enjoying the park.

For the latest updates and visitor information, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov/seminoe or contact the park directly.

Figure 1: Boating at Seminoe State Park. 

Contact: Lonnie Porter, (307)-320-3013; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LANDER, Wyo. – March 26, 2026 - The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR) is announcing a pause on a possible visitor center project at Sinks Canyon State Park following public engagement efforts conducted in late 2025.

On Dec. 1, 2025, Wyoming State Parks, in partnership with Sinks Canyon WILD,  hosted a public forum and gathered feedback from park visitors, community members, and stakeholders regarding the possibility of a new or enhanced park visitor center. Input received through that process helped inform the agency’s decision to pause the project at this time.

“We appreciate the thoughtful feedback shared during the public engagement process,” said Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager for the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. “Community perspectives are an important part of our planning process and help ensure that future projects reflect the needs and values of the people who care about Sinks Canyon.”

Comments received during the engagement process highlighted several areas for further consideration, including the need for additional community and tribal engagement, further justification for a new or expanded visitor center, and additional evaluation of potential locations for such a facility. Some participants also suggested exploring alternative settings outside of the state park.

This pause presents an opportunity for interested citizens and stakeholders to work with park staff to develop a vision for such a facility.  The agency hopes that a community-driven consensus will emerge in the months and years ahead regarding future visitor services and opportunities at Sinks Canyon State Park, which continues to see high visitation each year

For more information on Sinks Canyon State Park, visit http://wyoparks.wyo.gov/sinkscanyon. 

Figure 1: Exterior of the Sinks Canyon State Park Visitor Center. 

Contacts: 

Carly-Ann Carruthers, (307) 777-6968; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jessica Moore, (307) 332-6333; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – March 3, 2026 – The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Monuments and Markers Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

The virtual meeting details can be found below: 

Video call link: meet.google.com/ogd-dbhq-bxe 

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 209-920-9976‬ PIN: ‪528 713 599‬#

This meeting’s purpose is to review ongoing projects, provide updates on new interpretive signage, discuss enhancements to the statewide database, and explore new sign opportunities, while celebrating recent program successes.

Recent accomplishments include installing an American Mountain Men sign at the South Pass rest area near Lander, which highlights the historic use of the pass by Indigenous peoples, trappers, and emigrants on the California, Oregon, and Mormon Pioneer Trails. The program also celebrated the installation of the Crowheart Butte informational sign near Dubois, which shares Eastern Shoshone oral history about Chief Washakie and the mid-1800s Shoshone-Crow conflict, and recognizes Washakie’s leadership in guiding his people through a time of significant change.

The Monuments and Markers Program is a cooperative effort among the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR), the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), the Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT), Wyoming Tribes, local governments, and private partners. The program installs new historical markers and maintains existing monuments, markers, and interpretive signage across the state.

Learn more about this program at wyoparks.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: Community members attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Crowheart Butte informational sign in February 2026. 

Contact: Savannah Graham, (307) 777-6314; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 24, 2026 –Wyoming State Parks is thrilled to announce that system-wide visitation surpassed the 5-million-visitor milestone in 2025. With an estimated 5,048,419 total visitors, the agency saw a 5% increase over 2024, marking its highest visitation levels since the 2020-21 recreation surge.

This continued growth reaffirms Wyoming’s reputation as a premier destination for recreation, history, and culture. High-traffic hubs like Hot Springs State Park led the system with over 1.2 million visitors, while sites like Curt Gowdy State Park recorded nearly 600,000 visitors—the second-highest total in its history.

“Surpassing five million visitors is a testament to the vital role our parks, historic sites, and recreation areas play in Wyoming’s communities,” said Dave Glenn, director of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. “Whether it is local families escaping for a weekend at Glendo or international travelers stopping at Buffalo Bill on their way to Yellowstone, these sites are essential to our state’s quality of life and economic resilience.”

The 2025 data shows a healthy balance of use, with Wyoming residents accounting for 53% of all reserved nights, underscoring the role our state parks play in everyday recreation close to home. Out-of-state visitors, led by the Colorado Front Range and travelers heading to national parks, also played a vital role in driving overall system revenue and supporting park operations statewide.

The agency’s commitment to “more than just a campsite” was further demonstrated through its expanding interpretive and educational services. In 2025, Wyoming State Parks provided 552 opportunities to engage the public through interpretive programs, special events, and outreach activities statewide, including 329 interpretive programs, 176 events, and 47 outreach or tabling efforts. Programs were offered at 22 state park and historic site locations, as well as at schools, libraries, senior centers, and other community venues beyond park boundaries.

Wyoming State Parks staff also led 169 field trips for 11,780 students across the state and collaborated with more than 50 partner organizations to deliver meaningful educational experiences. Program topics ranged from birding, wildflower hikes, and night-sky programs to history demonstrations, geology talks, kayak programs, and art and photography classes.

The agency’s interpretive services program began in 2021 with the creation of its first Interpretive Ranger position. Over the past five years, the program has expanded to include five year-round Interpretive Rangers and a corps of seasonal interpreters. In addition to these dedicated positions, dozens of Wyoming State Parks staff, including superintendents, maintenance technicians, fee collectors, law enforcement officers, and volunteers, also contribute to education and interpretation efforts across the state.

To learn more about Wyoming state parks, historic sites, and recreation areas, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov. 

Figure 1: Participants enjoy the annual First Day Hike at Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site.

Figure 2: Visitors and Wyoming State Park staff enjoy a day of kayaking and paddleboarding at Hot Springs State Park.

Figure 3: Visitors enjoy camping at Curt Gowdy State Park. 

Contact: Chris Floyd, (307) 757-8792; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CROWHEART, Wyo. —  Feb. 11, 2026 — A public ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at noon to celebrate the installation of a new interpretive sign at Crowheart Butte, a prominent landmark in Wyoming’s Wind River country that honors Eastern Shoshone oral history and the legacy of Chief Washakie.

The new sign is located just north of U.S. Highway 26, approximately 34 miles southeast of Dubois and four miles southeast of the community of Crowheart. Crowheart Butte takes its name from a mid-1800s conflict between the Eastern Shoshone and the Crow over hunting rights in the region.

According to Eastern Shoshone oral traditions, the conflict ended when Chief Washakie and Crow Chief Big Robber agreed to a duel, bringing the fighting to a close and establishing peace between the tribes.

The interpretive sign also recognizes Chief Washakie’s enduring leadership. Known for his wisdom and fearlessness, he guided the Eastern Shoshone through a period of significant change while securing a homeland rich in natural resources—land that continues to sustain the Eastern Shoshone people today.

The ribbon-cutting event is open to the public.

The Monuments and Markers Program is a cooperative effort among the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR), the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), the Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT), Wyoming Tribes, local governments, and private individuals and organizations. The Monuments and Markers Program installs new historical markers and maintains existing monuments, markers, and interpretive signage. 

Learn more about this program at wyoparks.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: A public ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at noon to celebrate the installation of a new interpretive sign at Crowheart Butte. 

Contact: Savannah Graham, (307) 777-6314; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Feb. 11, 2026 — In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Arts Council, both part of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, have announced a statewide artist residency program that will place 18 Wyoming artists in residencies at state parks across the state during the summer and fall of 2026.

The residency program will feature artists working in visual arts, performing arts, folk and traditional arts, and creative writing. Selected artists will spend four days immersed in a Wyoming state park and will conclude their residency with a required public program inspired by Wyoming’s official semiquincentennial theme:

• Honoring our past: Commemorate Wyoming’s history, places, and people.
• Examining our present: Review Wyoming’s role in America today.
• Imagining our future: Plan for Wyoming’s leadership in America’s future.

“We are pleased to host artists of all backgrounds and disciplines whose work reflects the rich history and landscapes of Wyoming’s state parks, places that have shaped this nation’s past, its peoples, and cultures,” said Christina Bird, district manager for Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails.

Residency artists will develop a public component that engages park visitors and local communities through workshops, performances, exhibitions, or readings. Artists will propose their public program as part of the application process and will work with park staff to determine appropriate locations within each park.

Applications opened on Monday, Feb. 2, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. March 23, 2026, through the Wyoming Arts Council’s Submittable platform at wyomingartscouncil.submittable.com/submit. Applicants must be Wyoming residents age 18 or older. Both emerging and established artists will be considered, and Native artists and folk and traditional artists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Each selected artist will receive a $1,400 stipend, with lodging provided by the host park. Lodging options vary by location and may include tent camping, RV sites, cabins, dorms, or yurts. Each residency will run from Wednesday through Saturday and will conclude with a public program on Saturday.

Residency Dates, Locations, and Disciplines:

• June 3–6, 2026: Glendo State Park, visual art
• June 3–6, 2026: Curt Gowdy State Park, music
• June 10–13, 2026: Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site, visual art
• June 17–20, 2026: Hot Springs State Park, dance
• June 24–27, 2026: Sinks Canyon State Park, visual art
• July 8–11, 2026: Edness K. Wilkins State Park, music
• July 15–18, 2026: Buffalo Bill State Park, dance
• July 22–25, 2026: Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site, visual art
• July 29–Aug. 1, 2026: Edness K. Wilkins State Park, visual art
• Aug. 5–8, 2026: Guernsey State Park, creative writing
• Aug. 12–15, 2026: Curt Gowdy State Park, visual art
• Aug. 19–22, 2026: Buffalo Bill State Park, music
• Aug. 26–29, 2026: Glendo State Park, music
• Sept. 2–5, 2026: Keyhole State Park, dance
• Sept. 2–5, 2026: Guernsey State Park, visual art
• Sept. 9–12, 2026: Hot Springs State Park, creative writing
• Sept. 16–19, 2026: Sinks Canyon State Park, creative writing
• Sept. 23–26, 2026: Keyhole State Park, creative writing

Funding for the residency program was provided through the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Planning Task Force. The grants program was launched in 2025 with a $2 million appropriation from the Wyoming Legislature to support projects that recognize Wyoming’s role in American history and explore the state’s cultural legacy and future potential.

For more information about the residency program, visit wyomingartscouncil.org or contact Rachel Clifton, executive director of the Wyoming Arts Council, at (307) 256-0500 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figure 1: Georgia Rowswell works on a fabric piece at Hot Springs State Park. A Wyoming-based fiber artist, Rowswell creates textured landscapes inspired by the American West using repurposed textiles. She was a 2025 Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Artist-in-Residence and, alongside her husband Dave, part of the program’s first duo residency.

Contact: Rachel Clifton, (307) 256-0500; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.