Buffalo Bill Reservoir and State Park Seeking Feedback and Suggestions

Wyoming State Parks, in partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), has embarked on a resource management planning process for Buffalo Bill Reservoir and State Park near Cody, Wyoming.  Ayres Associates have been selected to facilitate the planning process.

Wyoming State Parks and Reclamation are interested in receiving feedback and suggestions from the public on what they enjoy about the Park and improvements or changes they desire.  The public is invited to complete a survey about the park and planning process by following this link, or using the attached QR code. 

Over the next year, the team will collect information, feedback, and ideas for ways to both enhance the visitor experience at the park and preserve its resources for future generations to enjoy. A final plan, which will be subject to a federal Environmental Assessment, will provide the foundation for decision-making to accommodate recreation and visitor amenities in balance with the preservation of setting and natural and cultural resources.  Those interested in receiving updates and additional information can register through the survey.

Buffalo Bill Dam, constructed on the Shoshone River six miles upstream from Cody, was completed in 1910, creating Buffalo Bill Reservoir.  Named for famous Wild West showman, promoter, and developer Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, the dam is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.  Shoshone Power Plant is located near the base of Buffalo Bill Dam; the dam, power plant, and reservoir lands are owned by Reclamation, which maintains primary jurisdiction of the lands and associated resources within the reservoir area.  Much of the area was designated a State Park in 1957 with the last major overhaul of the park completed in the 1990s. 

The Park offers fishing, camping, picnicking, and a variety of water sports in settings which range from remote and primitive to moderately developed.  The park currently has three boat ramps, nine developed day-use areas, two group shelters and eleven picnic shelters, and one hundred and fifty-six campsites in three campgrounds which can be reserved through the State Parks Reservation System.  Shreve Lodge, which hosts up to 200 and has a large kitchen, is also available to rent for day use. 

For more information and to stay up to date with events and amenities at Buffalo Bill State Park, please visit the park's website or call Superintendent Dan Marty at 307-587-9227.

This Summer, Curt Gowdy State Park and the Gowdy Family provides a special place where children can experience and learn about love, kindness and inclusion.

On June 10, 2023, Curt Gowdy State Park proudly celebrates the opening of a new American venue, Little House on the Park, a center specifically to the park’s mission of kindness education.  

Curt Gowdy State Park takes great pride and strives toward excellence in the mission of compassion, caring and wellness for children and families from all walks of life. 

Little House on the Park will embrace, teach and inspire the importance and emotions of kindness on all levels of children between the ages of 3 to 12 years old. 

The programming involves arts, crafts and special programs that will be guided by a strong and loving staff to always enforce the true messages of kindness. 

Little House on the Park will offer children from all over the world and our communities an experience of important education and love. Our mission is to touch the soul, hearts and spirit of children so that they will understand and fall in love with kindness.

Little House on the Park is the first of its kind in an American park system and promises to be an educational, magical and important part of a child's life now and in the future. 

One of America's top destinations and a landmark of American legacy, Curt Gowdy State Park just west of Cheyenne, excels in outstanding recreational activities, such as mountain biking, camping, hiking and water sports for all

For questions or to get involved in the journey of kindness, call Christina Bird, District Manager, at 307-631-1110.

Wyoming State Parks’ record visitation during 2020, spurred by the COVID pandemic, has been well-documented, and the momentum generated by those visitation numbers has translated to continued visitation during the past two years.

However, despite the impressive numbers generated during 2020, Wyoming State Parks had a lot of people on the parks, but not a lot of WyoParks sponsored activities for them to enjoy.

As Wyoming and the nation began to slowly ease out of the pandemic during 2021, Wyoming State Park began to resume some events and activities during the year, but far from a full schedule.

With the initiation of an Interpretive Ranger program, the Wyoming State Park 2022 schedule exploded with a series of old and new activities, events and programs. The department’s online presence increased, as well, with Facebook reach improving by as much as 134% at specific parks.

An Interpretive Ranger’s role is to emotionally and intellectually connect visitors to the division’s natural and cultural resources through a variety of programs, tours, hikes, events, exhibits and more. Rather than teach or enforce, an Interpretive Ranger translates and connects.

Through the efforts of Interpretive Rangers Linley Mayer and Angelina Stancampiano, the public may have noticed a huge increase in Wyoming State Parks’ programming and activities, coupled with much more activity on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

“I planned, promoted, or was a part of at least 84 programs, hikes, tours or events which combined reached over 2,400 people in 2022,” said Mayer, who planned events at Fort Phil Kearny and Keyhole state parks and Trail End State Historic Site.

Meanwhile, Stancampiano organized dozens of programs ranging from small weeknight campsite programs to several weekend-long campouts.

“We had a really great program with National Outdoor Leadership Schools (NOLS) and Wyoming Equality this summer at Sinks Canyon,” Stancampiano said. “After a six-day backpacking trip on the Winds with NOLS, seven LGBTQ+ youth joined us for two days of hardcore service work constructing stone-raised beds for an ethnobotany garden. We all worked hard in August literally carrying stones out of the river bed!

Stancampiano works with staff from Seminoe, Sinks Canyon, South Pass, Fort Bridger and Bear River state parks and has helped with events at several other venues. 

Mayer and Stancampiano have diverse educational backgrounds but have been able to draw from their life experiences to be successful interpretive rangers. Mayer’s background is in History and she used that knowledge to work her way up the professional ladder within Wyoming State Parks from a summer seasonal employee to park superintendent at Fort Bridger before embracing her current role as an interpretive ranger.

Stancampiano, on the other hand, has a degree in Biology and an emphasis in Chemistry and, following graduation, traveled all over the country focusing on work with protected beach nesting birds before working as an interpretive ranger for Oklahoma State Parks and eventually joining the Wyoming State Parks staff.

As for 2023, both are already enthusiastically looking towards the coming year, and look to not only continue some of last year’s successful events, but expand into new areas.

“I’m most excited for our Women Who Hike campouts,” Stancampiano said. “We had two in 2022 an are doing four in 2023 including a winter edition at Boysen; a Leave No Trace training at Seminoe, a History edition at South Pass City and a National Public Lands Day campout at Sinks Canyon.”

Mayer ended 2022 with a series of social media Christmas tradition videos that proved to be extremely popular.

“District Manager Christina Bird brought me the idea of Trail End and the Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion creating the videos,” Mayer said. “It was so much fun interacting with the public in this way. I hope to continue making those types of videos through the summer, but with different content.

Mayer looks to also continue with a Junior Ranger program at Keyhole State Park this summer and a Junior Curator program at Trail End State Historic Site. The Junior Curator program provides junior high-aged individuals an opportunity to learn about museum work, research an artifact, make a short video about that artifact and create an exhibit combining all of their artifacts using interpretive principles.

To learn more about Wyoming State Park events and activities during 2023, check the WyoParks.wyo.gov website and keep an eye out on the division’s Instagram and Twitter pages to enjoy more content from our interpretive rangers.

Photo: Wyoming State Park Interpretive Rangers Angelina Stancampiano, left, and Linley Mayer, right, during a recent event at Guernsey State Park.

Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites Hosts Successful First Day Hikes 

Despite cold temperatures and snowfall throughout most of the state on New Year’s Day, 370 adventurous recreationalists braved the winter weather conditions to ring in the New Year at Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites’ First Day Hikes!

For the 12^th consecutive year, Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites hosted First Day Hikes which is part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outside and to promote the overall mental and physical health benefits of recreating in America’s great outdoors. 

“For many Wyoming residents and visitors, this outdoor event has become an annual tradition,” said Laurel Thompson, Outreach Coordinator for Wyoming’s Office of Outdoor Recreation. “These hikes provide a means for individuals and families to welcome the coming year outside, exercising and connecting with nature.”

On New Year's Day, 13 guided hikes were held at participating Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites with participants of all ages and skill levels hiking more than a combined 600 miles of trails. 

Participating sites and their number of hikers were: 

• Bear River State Park – 21
• Boysen State Park – 9
• Buffalo Bill State Park – 25
• Curt Gowdy State Park – 71
• Edness K. Wilkins State Park – 32
• Fort Bridger State Historic Site – 28
• Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site – 37
• Guernsey State Park – 26
• Hot Springs State Park – 27
• Keyhole State Park – 15
• Medicine Lodge Archeological Site – 30
• Sinks Canyon State Park – 7
• Trail End State Historic Site – 42

Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites would like to thank all of the Friends Groups and volunteers that helped support this year’s First Day Hike events. 

Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites Hosts Another Year of Record Visitation

Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites’ annual visitation numbers for 2022 indicate high visitor use is here to stay with nearly 5.2 million visitors across all parks and historic sites. 

In recent years, Wyoming’s outdoors have seen unprecedented visitation throughout the state and those high numbers have continued through 2022.

Individually, state parks hosted nearly 4.9 million visitors, 3% above the five-year average, and historic sites hosted nearly 334,000 visitors, 6% above the five-year average.  2020 saw over 5.8 million visitors, with 2021 over 5.7 million visitors. 

Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites’ current numbers remain well above pre-pandemic visitation which can be attributed to the retention of many first-time guests during this extreme visitation period.

“Many outdoor recreation destinations continue to see significant growth throughout the state and need new ways to continue to engage first-time and returning visitors,” said Dave Glenn, Deputy Director of Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails. “Our agency continues to enhance the visitor experience by investing in the development and expansion of new and existing infrastructure, campgrounds, trail systems, and interpretive programming amongst other exciting outdoor recreation opportunities across our sites.”

State parks and historic sites also saw a continued increase in fall visitation during 2022. September visitation was 14% above the five-year average, and October’s was 21% above the five-year average. 

These numbers provide continued encouragement to Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites’ officials, who attribute the growth to the hard work and dedication of park staff and their efforts to extend and enhance shoulder season visitation. 

"Wyoming’s outdoor recreation and tourism economies continue to play a critical role in our state’s economic vitality,” said Patrick Harrington, Manager of Wyoming’s Office of Outdoor Recreation. “With steadily increasing visitation over the past several years, strategic planning and development of outdoor recreation opportunities will play a major role in maintaining and improving the visitor experience on Wyoming’s public lands for years to come.”

To learn more about Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites and/or to view Visitation Statistics, please visit wyoparks.org.

Spend the First Day of 2023 Hiking in Wyoming's State Parks & Historic Sites

Celebrate the New Year in America’s great outdoors by joining Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Outdoor Recreation for First Day Hikes January 1st, 2023!

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. On New Year’s Day, people of all ages and skill levels can kick off the New Year out of doors with access to thousands of free guided hikes organized in all fifty states. 

“It’s our way of wishing health and happiness for the coming new year,” said Lewis Ledford, Executive Director of the National Association of State Park Directors. “Recent research is confirming the benefits of just 30 minutes a week spent in nature, and what better way to start a new healthy habit for 2023 than taking advantage of hikes being offered in state parks across the nation. Our hope is that this event will stimulate a passion for the outdoors and a desire to explore our local treasures throughout the entire year.”

First Day Hike events will be held at 15 Wyoming State Park and Historic Site locations statewide. Hikes are free and open to the public, and as part of this initiative, all day use fees will be waived on January 1st.  

Participants at each site will have the chance to win a 2023 Annual Day Use Certificate and can enter a statewide Grand Prize drawing for an Annual Day Use Certificate and a Coleman Roadtrip® X-Cursion™ Grill simply for participating. 

“Not only do we want recreationalists to get excited about being outdoors in celebration of this national initiative, but we want to help inspire individuals and families to get outside year-round to explore and recreate in Wyoming's amazing public spaces,” said Laurel Thompson, Outreach Coordinator for Wyoming Outdoor Recreation. 

Park staff and volunteers will lead the hikes, ranging from half and mile and up. Details about hiking locations, difficulty, length, and terrain are as follows:

·  Bear River State Park - 1:00 PM, meet at Visitor Center, hike 1-2.5 mile(s) on easy terrain, snow cover, 307-789-6547

·  Boysen State Park - 10:00 AM, meet at Park Headquarters, hike 1.5 miles on moderate to intermediate terrain, 307-876-2796

·  Buffalo Bill State Park - 9:00 AM, meet at Park Headquarters, hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-587-9227

·  Curt Gowdy State Park - 10:30 AM, meet at Visitor Center, hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-632-7946

·  Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park - 10:00 AM, meet at Platte River Shelter, hike 1-2.5 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-577-5150

·  Fort Bridger State Historic Site - 10:00 AM, meet at Front Parking Lot, hike 1 mile on easy terrain, 307-782-3842

·  Fort Steele State Historic Site - 10:00 AM, meet at Visitor Center, hike 1 miles on easy terrain, 307-320-3013

·  Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site - 1:00 PM, meet at Main Parking Lot, hike 1 mile on easy terrain, 307-684-7629

·  Guernsey State Park - 10:00 AM, meet at Museum, hike 2-4 mile(s) on moderate to intermediate terrain, 307-836-2334

·  Hot Springs State Park - 11:00 AM, meet at Thermopolis Golf Course PL, hike 1-2 mile(s) on moderate terrain, 307-864-2176

·  Keyhole State Park - 10:00 AM, meet at Big Kahuna, hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-756-3596

·  Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site - 10:00 AM, meet at Red Barn, hike 1 mile on easy terrain, 307-469-2234

·  Sinks Canyon State Park - 1:00 PM, meet at Popo Agie Campground, hike 2 miles on moderate terrain, snow cover; meet at Visitor Center Parking Lot, hike .5 mile on a paved path, wheelchair and sensory friendly, 307-332-6333

·  South Pass City State Historic Site 1:00 PM, meet at Dance Hall, hike 2 miles on moderate terrain, snow cover, 307-332-3684

·  Trail End State Historic Site - 10:00 AM, meet East Side of Kendrick Mansion, hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-674-4589

Participants are encouraged to “know before you go” and to prepare for winter weather conditions, including dressing appropriately.  Hot drinks and refreshments will be provided at most locations, however, participants are also encouraged to bring their own water and snacks.

To learn more about First Day Hike events in your area, please find individual sites on Facebook and/or visit wyoparks.org.

Buffalo Bill hosts first stakeholder meeting, December 12, 2022

The link for that was https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81027854894?pwd=eWREaTJET3B5NnY4MkZxdm5TU3A4Zz09

Wyoming State Parks’ First Day Hikes to Take Place New Year’s Day 2023

Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails is pleased to announce the 12th consecutive year of its popular First Day Hikes on January 1, 2023.

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.  On New Year’s Day, people of all ages can kick off the New Year out of doors with access to hundreds of free guided hikes organized in all fifty states. 

“We are thrilled to take part in this nationwide initiative once again, inviting guests of all ages to experience the beauty of Wyoming’s state parks and the rich history of our historic sites,” said Laurel Thompson, Outreach Coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “We hope our passion for the outdoors will inspire participants to take advantage of the many local treasures and outdoor recreational opportunities across the state throughout the upcoming year.” 

These events will be held at 15 Wyoming State Park and Historic Site locations statewide. Hikes are free and open to the public; all day use fees will be waived on January 1 as part of this initiative. 

This year, participants at each site will also have the chance to win a 2023 Annual Day Use Certificate and enter a statewide Grand Prize drawing for a Coleman Roadtrip® X-Cursion™ Grill for participating. 

Park staff and volunteers will lead the hikes, ranging from 1 to 4 miles.  Details about hiking locations, difficulty, length, and terrain are as follows:

·  Bear River State Park - 1:00PM, meet at Visitor Center, hike 1-2.5 mile(s) on easy terrain,

snow cover, 307-789-6547

·  Boysen State Park - 10:00AM, meet at Park Headquarters, hike 1.5 miles on moderate to intermediate terrain, 307-876-2796

·  Buffalo Bill State Park - 9:00AM, meet at Park Headquarters, hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-587-9227

·  Curt Gowdy State Park - 10:30AM, meet at Visitor Center, hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-632-7946

·  Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park - 10:00AM, meet at Platte River Shelter, hike 1-2.5 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-577-5150

·  Fort Bridger State Historic Site - 10:00AM, meet at Front Parking Lot, hike 1 mile on easy terrain, 307-782-3842

·  Fort Steele State Historic Site - 10:00AM, meet at Visitor Center, hike 1 miles on easy terrain, 307-320-3013

·  Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site - 1:00PM, meet at Main Parking Lot, hike 1 mile on easy terrain, 307-684-7629

·  Guernsey State Park - 10:00AM, meet at Museum, hike 2-4 mile(s) on moderate to intermediate terrain, 307-836-2334

·  Hot Springs State Park - 11:00AM, meet at Thermopolis Golf Course PL, hike 1-2 mile(s) on moderate terrain, 307-864-2176

·  Keyhole State Park - 10:00AM, meet at Big Kahuna, hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-756-3596

·  Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site - 10:00AM, meet at Red Barn, hike 1 mile on easy terrain, 307-469-2234

·  Sinks Canyon State Park - 1:00PM, meet at Popo Agie Campground, hike 2 miles on moderate terrain, snow cover, 307-332-6333

·  South Pass City State Historic Site 1:00PM, meet at Dance Hall, hike 2 miles on moderate terrain, snow cover, 307-332-3684

·  Trail End State Historic Site - 10:00AM, meet East Side of Kendrick Mansion, hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-674-4589

Participants are encouraged to “know before you go” and to prepare for winter weather conditions, including dressing appropriately.  Hot drinks and refreshments will be provided at most locations, however, participants are also encouraged to bring their own water and snacks.

To learn more about First Day Hike events in your area, please find individual sites on Facebook and/or visit wyoparks.org.

Wyoming State Parks Celebrating 50 years at Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site

Wyoming State Parks is commemorating the 50^th anniversary of Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site with a series of events during 2023. 

Throughout the coming year several programs and special events have been planned with the main celebration event taking place on June 24, 2023.  Event details will be posted at wyoparks.org  and via social media.

In January 1973, what is now known as Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site became part of the Wyoming Recreation Commission (now Wyoming State Parks) through a cooperative agreement with the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.  The Wyoming Recreation Commission was tasked with protecting the archaeological resources within the site and establishing a public recreation area for public enjoyment. 

Over the past 50 years, the park has developed campsites, installed restrooms, improved public horse corrals, and most recently constructed an addition to park headquarters that will become the Medicine Lodge Cultural Experience, opening summer 2023. 

Ongoing interpretation of the site’s cultural resources has helped the public appreciate the importance of protecting these resources for future generations. 

“As we celebrate 50 years of Medicine Lodge as a State Park it’s important to remember that people have been living here for more than 10,000 years”, says Park Superintendent Heather Jolley.  “Medicine Lodge continues to be committed to improving communities and enriching lives”, she adds.

In celebration of 50 years, Medicine Lodge will be hosting a photo contest throughout the year culminating in a 2024 site specific calendar.  Photo winners selected will receive a free copy of the calendar and receive photo credit.  Photographers of all levels are invited to participate in this contest.  Additional calendars will be printed and available for purchase at the park headquarters/gift shop (price TBD).

Photo Contest Rules:

• The contest will run from December 2022 – November 2023 (to allow time for printing). 
• Photos must be submitted by the 5^th of each month.
• Photos submitted should coincide with the month or season the photo is being submitted.
• Photos should not contain any visible faces of people.
• Photos should be landscape orientation.  
• Top 3 finalists will be selected by park staff and posted on social media for public voting (open for 1 week).
• Monthly winner announced by the 15^th of each month.
• Please submit high resolution photos via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• Disclaimer: By submitting a photo, you are agreeing that the photo may be used in the 2024 Medicine Lodge calendar and posted on social media (photo credit will be given).

*****Visitors are encouraged to visit the park throughout the seasons*****

For more information, please contact Park Superintendent Heather Jolley at 307.469.2234 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..