CHEYENNE, Wyo. – July 31, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks has reached a tentative agreement with C&W Enterprises, which will conclude the pending litigation regarding the Star Plunge in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The parties have jointly asked the court to cancel the summary judgment hearing scheduled for Monday, Aug. 3, 2026.

The tentative settlement has been reached after State Parks recently concluded an appraisal process as mandated by Section 335 of Enrolled Act 27 of the Sixty-Eighth Legislature of the State of Wyoming, also known as the 2027 Budget Bill.

This settlement will conclude a process that began in 2008 when the long-term concession contract for operating the Star Plunge expired.

"Wyoming State Parks’ mission is to improve communities and enrich lives. This agreement will allow the agency to reopen the Star Plunge with a new long-term concessionaire who intends to make significant investments in the aquatic facilities," said Dave Glenn, director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. "We are excited to partner on the long-term enhancement and modernization of these facilities, to ensure a safe, exceptional, and affordable experience for Wyoming residents and visitors." 

For more information about Wyoming State Parks, please visit WyoParks.Wyo.Gov. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – July 28, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Arts Council invite the public to attend a series of Artist in Residence programs taking place throughout August at Wyoming State Parks.

The Wyoming Artist in Residence Program places artists in parks and historic sites across the state, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with artists, observe the creative process, and participate in public programs inspired by Wyoming's landscapes, history, and communities.

During each residency, artists spend three days immersed in their surroundings before presenting a public program on Saturday. Programs may include demonstrations, workshops, performances, readings, or discussions.

Upcoming residencies include:

• Aug. 5–8 – Guernsey State Park: Holly Balgalvis (Cheyenne, creative writing)

          Public Program: Saturday, Aug. 8 at 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
          Location: Sitting Bull Shelter

• Aug. 12–15 – Curt Gowdy State Park: Madeline Logan Davis (Cheyenne, visual art)

          Public Program: Saturday, Aug. 15 at 4 - 5:30 p.m.
          Location: Visitor Center Conference Room

• Aug. 19–22 – Buffalo Bill State Park: Christopher Archuleta (Jackson, music)

          Public Program: Saturday, Aug. 22 at 6 - 8 p.m.
          Location: Sheep Mountain Day Use Area

• Aug. 26–29 – Glendo State Park: Phil Black (Casper, music)

          Public Program: Saturday, Aug. 29 at 11 a.m.
          Location: Two Moons Day Use Shelter

The 2026 Artist in Residence Program has expanded as part of Wyoming's commemoration of America's 250th anniversary and features artists representing visual art, music, dance, performance art, and creative writing.

Visitors are encouraged to follow individual park social media pages for additional program details and updates.

Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Arts Council are programs within the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, which provides recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities to improve communities and enrich lives. 

For more information about the Artist in Residence Program, visit the Wyoming Arts Council at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Learn more about Wyoming State Parks at wyoparks.wyo.gov or follow @WyomingStateParks on Facebook for updates on upcoming events and programs statewide.

Figures 1 & 2: Artist Breanna Whitlock during her artist residency at Hot Springs State Park in June, images courtesy of the artist. Figures 3 & 4: Artists John Wilhelm & Jessica Brower during their artist residency at Curt Gowdy State Park in June, images courtesy of the artists. 

Contacts: 
Rachel Clifton, Executive Director

Wyoming Arts Council

(307) 256-0500 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Christina Bird, District Manager

Wyoming State Parks

(307) 631-1110 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – July 27, 2026 – Visitors planning to recreate at Glendo and Guernsey State Parks are advised that the Bureau of Reclamation will begin its annual lowering of Glendo and Guernsey reservoirs the week of Aug. 9. Due to ongoing drought conditions, this year's drawdown will occur approximately one month earlier than normal. 

Glendo Reservoir has already been releasing more than 4,000 cubic feet per second for more than a week, and elevated outflows are expected to continue. As water levels decline throughout August, boating access and navigation at both reservoirs will become increasingly limited. Boaters are encouraged to remove watercraft early while boat ramps remain accessible and to use caution as changing water levels create evolving conditions.

To facilitate the lowering of Guernsey Reservoir, outflows from Glendo Reservoir will be reduced beginning August 9 and will decrease to low flow before the end of August. The Marina, Reno Cove, and Whiskey Gulch boat ramps are expected to remain usable, although navigation around the marina docks may become difficult as water levels recede.

At Guernsey Reservoir, rapidly declining water levels will affect boat launching and on-water recreation as the reservoir is lowered. Visitors should anticipate changing conditions and plan accordingly.

According to the Bureau of Reclamation, Glendo Reservoir levels are expected to gradually increase over the winter as the reservoir captures natural inflows and releases from Gray Reef Reservoir.

"While lower reservoir levels will temporarily affect boating opportunities, both Glendo and Guernsey State Parks offer great recreation experiences beyond the water," said Steve Horn, district manager for Wyoming State Parks. "We encourage visitors to explore the trails, campgrounds, historic sites, and other amenities that make these parks special while conditions change."

Visitors can continue to enjoy many of the recreational opportunities both parks have to offer, including camping, hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and scenic landscapes. Glendo State Park also features archery and off-highway vehicle trails, while Guernsey State Park offers a playground, museum, and some of the finest Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architecture in the Rocky Mountain region. 

Visitors with camping reservations who wish to modify their plans may do so online at reserve.wyoming.gov or by calling (877) 996-7275. Visitors are encouraged to contact the individual park directly with questions about current conditions before traveling. 

For current and timely information on reservoir storage, inflow, outflow, percentage full, cubic feet per second (CFS), and more, visit the Bureau of Reclamation Wyoming Lakes and Reservoirs page at Bit.ly/WyoReservoirData. 

Contacts: 

Steve Horn, District Manager

Wyoming State Parks

(307) 370-0573 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Cassie Wells, Superintendent

Guernsey State Park 

(307) 836-2334 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

LA GRANGE, Wyo., – July 24, 2026 – Visitors to Hawk Springs State Recreation Area should expect temporary traffic delays next week as the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources completes roadway improvements within the recreation area.

Beginning Friday, July 24, Road 22 will be reduced to a single lane while crews replace an existing culvert and install an additional culvert to improve drainage and roadway infrastructure. Construction will occur Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is expected to last approximately two weeks. 

Hawk Springs State Recreation Area will remain open during construction, and visitors are encouraged to continue enjoying the area's camping, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor recreation opportunities while allowing extra travel time when entering or exiting the recreation area.

"We appreciate the public's patience as we complete these important infrastructure improvements," said Cassie Wells, superintendent of Hawk Springs State Recreation Area. "These upgrades will help improve the long-term safety and functionality of the roadway for visitors."

Visitors are encouraged to follow posted signs and use caution while traveling through the construction area.

For the latest information about Wyoming state parks, historic sites, and recreation areas, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov. 

Figure 1: Hawk Springs State Recreation Area near La Grange, Wyoming. 

Contact: Cassie Wells, (307) 836-2334; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – July 23, 2026 – The Wyoming State Trails Program is now accepting applications for a new Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program, a one-time funding opportunity approved by the Wyoming Legislature. Funding for the program is available through the Wyoming Office of Tourism and will support the development and improvement of non-motorized trail recreation across Wyoming.

A total of $800,000 is available through the competitive grant program to fund shovel-ready projects that expand and enhance natural surface trail opportunities on public lands.

"This grant represents an exciting investment in Wyoming's outdoor recreation infrastructure," said Caleb Owen, Non-Motorized Trails Program coordinator. "We encourage eligible organizations and public land managers with qualifying projects to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to improve non-motorized recreation opportunities across the state."

Eligible projects include the construction of new natural-surface trails, the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing natural-surface trails, and trail-supporting infrastructure such as trailheads, kiosks, and restroom facilities. While both new construction and maintenance projects are eligible, new trail construction projects will receive a higher scoring multiplier during the evaluation process.

Planning efforts, including project design, engineering, and surveys, are not eligible for funding. All projects must be shovel-ready construction and maintenance projects only. 

Eligible applicants include public land management agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGO). Applicants must have a 50% (1:1) cash match secured at the time of application. The minimum project request is $15,000, requiring a minimum cash match of $7,500.

Applications will be accepted through Oct. 1, 2026, with award notifications expected by Dec. 1, 2026. 

An overview and application materials are available through the Wyoming State Trails Program at Bit.ly/Non-Motorized-Trails-Grant. Questions regarding the grant or applicant eligibility may be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Learn more about the State Trails Program’s Non-Motorized Trails Program at wyoparks.wyo.gov. 

Contact:  Caleb Owen, (307) 274-6637; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

LARAMIE, Wyo. – July 2, 2026 – The Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site will celebrate Wyoming's Statehood Day with a special event on July 10. Guests can enjoy free admission all day, with activities from 9 a.m. to noon, thanks to the sponsorship of the Wyoming Territorial Park Historic Association.

"We are thrilled to invite the community to join us in celebrating Wyoming's rich history on Statehood Day," said Jessica Lira, superintendent of the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site. "As Wyoming celebrates its 136th birthday and joins the nationwide commemoration of America's 250th anniversary, this event offers a wonderful opportunity for families to explore our shared history, experience 19th-century life, and create lasting memories together. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site for this special celebration."

This family-friendly celebration will feature a variety of activities, including stick-horse rodeo games for children aged 5 and under, balloon twisting, and more. Laramie's Sagebrush Stringband will provide live music from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and at 9:30 and 11:00, the Unexpected Company will perform an original vignette based on Laramie's historic first female jurors. Each visitor will receive a complimentary cupcake from Jubilee Days Royalty (while supplies last), and The Soda Pit will be on-site. 

For just $20, visitors can capture a piece of history with a professional tintype portrait by Dylan Burr Photography-Tintype Style Portraits taken using a camera and lens from the 1800s.

Built in 1872, the Wyoming Territorial Prison has a storied history, housing over 1,000 outlaws, including the infamous Butch Cassidy. After a new prison was constructed in Rawlins in 1903, the facility was repurposed by the University of Wyoming as an agricultural experiment station until 2004, when it became managed by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources as a historic site.

The regular operating hours for the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site are from May through September, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and October through April, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.

Learn more about Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites at wyoparks.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: Attendees enjoying the activities at the 2025 Statehood Day Celebration at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site. 

Contact: Jessica Lira, 307-745-6161; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

KAYCEE, Wyo. – July 2, 2026 — In honor of America’s 250th Anniversary, the Hoofprints of the Past Museum will dedicate a newly installed historical marker overlooking the site of the KC Ranch Cabin on Saturday, July 11, where the famous 1892 battle between fifty Johnson County War invaders and Nathan D. Champion occurred. This pivotal event in Wyoming history and in the broader story of the Johnson County War had lasting consequences and deserves to be remembered and interpreted by future generations. It also reflects the same spirit of independence and determination that inspired the nation's founders to establish a new country 250 years ago.

The dedication ceremony will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. at Harold Jarrard Park in Kaycee, Wyoming. Following the welcoming remarks and introductions, attendees will take a short walk to the marker site, where local historians will share the site's history and significance. After the ceremony, guests are invited to visit the Hoofprints of the Past Museum to view related artifacts and enjoy refreshments.

This new interpretive sign replaces an outdated panel that was previously removed. The project was developed through a partnership between the Hoofprints of the Past Museum, the Wyoming 250 Commission Grant Program, and the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources' Monuments and Markers Program.

“The Monuments and Markers Program works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to commemorate significant people, places, and events in Wyoming’s history,” said Chris Floyd, deputy director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. “Historic markers and interpretive signs not only help us understand and appreciate our past, but they also enhance tourism and recreation opportunities throughout the state.”

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

For more information about the Wyoming Monuments and Markers Program, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov.

For more information about the dedication, please contact Savannah Daniels, planner at Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, at (307) 777-6314 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Laurel Foster at the Hoofprints of the Past Museum at (307) 738-2381, or visit www.hoofprintsofthepast.org. 

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

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – June 29, 2026 –  The Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming State Parks invite the public to attend a series of Artist in Residence programs taking place throughout July at Wyoming State Parks.

The Wyoming Artist in Residence Program places artists in parks and historic sites across the state, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with artists, observe the creative process, and participate in public programs inspired by Wyoming's landscapes, history, and communities.

During each residency, artists spend three days immersed in their surroundings before presenting a public program on Saturday. Programs may include demonstrations, workshops, performances, readings, or discussions.

Upcoming residencies include:

• July 8–11 – Edness K. Wilkins State Park: Mattias Russell (Casper, music)

          Public Program: Saturday, July 11, from 6 - 7 p.m.
          Location: Centennial Shelter

• July 8–11 – Buffalo Bill State Park: Sarah Lass (Laramie, dance)

          Public Program: Saturday, July 11, from 6 - 8 p.m.
          Location: Shreve Lodge

• July 22–25 – Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site: Alexandra Hansen (Aladdin, visual art)

          Public Program: Saturday, July 25, from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
          Location: Petroglyph Cliff

• July 29–August 1 – Edness K. Wilkins State Park: Nicholas Resch (Cody, visual art)

          Public Program: Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
          Location: Platte River Shelter

The 2026 Artist in Residence Program has expanded as part of Wyoming's commemoration of America's 250th anniversary, featuring artists in visual art, music, dance, performance art, and creative writing.

Visitors are encouraged to follow individual park social media pages for additional program details and updates.

Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Arts Council are programs within the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, which provides recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities to improve communities and enrich lives. 

For more information about the Artist in Residence Program, visit the Wyoming Arts Council at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Learn more about Wyoming State Parks at wyoparks.wyo.gov or follow @WyomingStateParks on Facebook for updates on upcoming events and programs statewide.

Contacts: 

Rachel Clifton, (307) 256-0500; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Christina Bird, (307-631-1110); This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

GUERNSEY, Wyo. – June 24, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming State Parks invite artists and community members to participate in and attend Plein Air in the Parks at Guernsey State Park, June 24–28, 2026. The public is encouraged to attend the event's concluding show and sale on Sunday, June 28.

Plein Air in the Parks brings together artists from Wyoming and the surrounding region to paint outdoors on location while celebrating the state's diverse landscapes and natural beauty. Since its launch in 2018, the program has grown into a popular annual event that encourages artistic exploration and connection with Wyoming's public lands.

Artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate and may attend for one day or all five days of the event. Registration remains open through Eventbrite, and artists can continue to sign up to participate through Saturday. Throughout the week, participants will create original works inspired by the scenery, history, and character of Guernsey State Park.

The event concludes with a public show and sale at the Guernsey State Park Museum on Sunday, June 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. The reception offers visitors an opportunity to meet participating artists, view artwork created during the event, and purchase original pieces. Juried awards and the People's Choice Award will be announced at 4 p.m. State park day use fees will still apply Wednesday-Saturday for non-event participants, but will be waived for the Show and Sale. 

Plein Air in the Parks rotates among Wyoming State Parks each year, offering artists and visitors new opportunities to experience Wyoming's landscapes through art.

Registration is available at https://plein-air-in-the-parks-guernsey.eventbrite.com.

For more information about Plein Air in the Parks, visit wyoarts.state.wy.us/plein-air-in-the-parks or contact Ismael Dominguez, programs specialist with the Wyoming Arts Council, at (307) 275-4476 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figure 1: An artist paints on location during a previous Plein Air in the Parks event. The annual program brings artists together in Wyoming State Parks to create original works inspired by the state's landscapes and natural beauty.

Contact: Ismael Dominguez, (307) 275-4476; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.