Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails

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Buffalo Bill State Park

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About Our Site - Buffalo Bill State Park

The history of Buffalo Bill Reservoir and “Cody Country” is rooted in the rich lore of the old West. Buffalo Bill State Park was named for Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, famous as a wild west showman, promoter and developer. He first came to the region in the 1870s as a guide for a survey expedition and spent the next 20 years guiding and sponsoring hunting parties in the area.

“Buffalo Bill” Cody was influential in bringing irrigation and agricultural development into the area and founded the town in 1896 that bears his name. Some of the land now occupied by Buffalo Bill State Park was originally owned by Colonel Cody and was acquired from him by the federal government to implement the reservoir project.

Work began on the dam in 1905. When completed in 1910, it was the highest dam in the world at 325 feet. Buffalo Bill State Park was established in 1957 and provided recreational areas and facilities along the original shoreline. In 1993, an eight-year project was completed that raised the crest of the dam 25 feet and increased the reservoir storage capacity. The enlarged reservoir inundated the former recreation areas and required removal of the old park facilities. Buffalo Bill State Park has been redeveloped as part of that project.

Buffalo Bill State Park host Great Dam Day, Aug. 19

Come and enjoy Great Dam Day at Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center this weekend, August 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center along with Buffalo Bill State Park host this year’s event at the Visitor Center located six miles west of Cody on HWY 14/16/20.

In addition to the events planned, there will be different interpretive learning stations located below the visitor center on the old road to Yellowstone below the dam. Through cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, the old dam road is open next to the visitor center one time during the year, allowing the public to walk or ride bicycle to take in the views from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Rides back to the center will be available.

Fat Racks BBQ will have food available for purchase at the visitor center lot. Also, the Bureau of Land Management will have activities for kids to participate in.

Buffalo Bill Dam was completed in 1910 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Buffalo Bill Dam was the tallest dam in the world upon completion. Construction began in 1904 and work was dangerous, difficult and tedious.

The completed water storage supplies four irrigation districts encompassing over 93,000 acres of farmland.

Youth and adults alike will find the views and history fascinating. Staff and volunteers will be on-site to answer questions and provide assistance.

The event is open and free to the public. For any questions, please contact the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center General Manager Leslie Slater Wilson, at (307) 527-6076.

View more updates for Buffalo Bill State Park!

Buffalo Bill State Park host Great Dam Day, Aug. 19 2023-08-24 14:14:06
Buffalo Bill State Park to host Osprey Presentation, June 29 2023-07-05 04:38:06
Buffalo Bill State Park to host fisheries presentation, July 5 2023-07-05 04:30:27
Buffalo Bill Reservoir and State Park Seeking Feedback and Suggestions 2023-03-15 03:47:55
Buffalo Bill Hosts First Stakeholder Meeting, December 12, 2022 2022-12-21 00:54:02
Buffalo Bill State Park hosts holiday light display, Dec. 3-31 2022-12-01 05:59:30
Buffalo Bill Reservoir and State Park Embarking on Planning Process 2022-10-26 15:47:36
Buffalo Bill Reservoir and State Park Embarking on Planning Process 2022-10-14 06:00:14
Buffalo Bill Reservoir and State Park Embarking on Planning Process 2022-10-14 06:00:13
Public Invited to Buffalo Bill State Park Shop for a Bird Nesting Box Workshop 2022-08-09 09:09:51
Buffalo Bill State Park celebrates Great Dam Day August 20 2022-08-09 09:06:09
Buffalo Bill State Park campsites closed due to North Fork flooding 2022-06-23 01:55:22
Buffalo Bill State Park public meeting scheduled March 14 2022-03-07 21:42:55
Buffalo Bill State Park partners with local businesses to present Christmas Light display 2021-12-03 09:24:35
Wyoming State Parks withdraws plan for40 temporary campsites near Bartlett Lane at Buffalo Bill State Park 2021-08-10 15:13:49
Buffalo Bill State Park Visitor Center hosts Great Dam Day 2021-08-10 15:11:17
Wyoming State Parks to host public meeting regarding new temporary campsites at BBSP 2021-08-04 09:27:39
Buffalo Bill State Park to Host Bear Lecture 2021-07-30 15:29:25
Buffalo Bill Youth Fishing Derby August 7th 2021-07-29 09:24:11
Buffalo Bill State Park to host Osprey presentation June 26 2021-06-22 12:00:48
Forest Service aerial operations begin at Buffalo Bill Reservoir 2021-06-22 11:58:37
Buffalo Bill State Park to host Game and Fish biologist fisheries talk 2021-06-02 10:32:48
Plein Air in the Parks Award Winners Announced 2020-09-04 13:18:28
Free Public Events at Plein Air in the Parks 2020-08-25 13:52:31
Buffalo Bill Visitor Center Celebrates 26th Anniversary During Great Dam Day 2020-08-07 08:32:45
Registration Underway for Buffalo Bill State Park Youth Fishing Derby 2020-07-17 13:01:00
Registration Now Open for Plein Air in the Parks 2020-07-10 09:39:01
Boaters at BBSP Urged to Be Aware of Aerial Water Dipping 2019-09-06 12:13:52
Buffalo Bill State Park Celebrates Great Dam Day 2019-08-02 13:55:48
Biologist to Discuss Fisheries Management at BBSP Presentation 2019-07-16 11:18:15
Registration Underway for Buffalo Bill State Park Youth Fishing Derby 2019-07-16 11:12:31
Buffalo Bill State Park Host Plein Air Paint Out Event 2019-07-16 11:07:06
Buffalo Bill State Park Hosts Osprey Presentation 2019-05-31 11:32:12
Buffalo Bill State Park Hosts Great Dam Day, Aug. 18 2018-08-06 13:54:43
Buffalo Bill hosts Youth Fishing Derby 2018-07-18 11:30:21
Buffalo Bill State Park Hosts Osprey Presentation 2018-06-05 13:51:02
CANCELLED: Buffalo Bill State Park hosts Eagle presentation, Sept. 16 2017-09-08 11:08:59
Buffalo Bill State Park celebrates Great Dam Day 2017-08-17 08:07:02
Wyoming Bears is the topic of next Buffalo Bill State Park Presentation 2017-08-14 09:37:35
Buffalo Bill State Park hosts Trout Fisheries presentation 2017-07-27 13:43:53
Buffalo Bill State Park presentation addresses upcoming Eclipse 2017-07-19 08:35:34
Buffalo Bill State Park Hosts S'Mores Get-together 2017-07-06 08:32:45
Buffalo Bill State Park hosts Osprey presentation 2017-06-15 08:16:14
Buffalo Bill State Park hosts "S'mores Get-Together" 2017-06-08 09:19:40
Buffalo Bill State Park hosts S'mores Get-Together 2017-05-26 07:56:26
Buffalo Bill State Park - Welcome to our new Website! 2017-03-28 14:28:03

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Fishing Derby Registration form 2021 DM

Site Status

Attention:

STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE

Park is open year round for camping and day use. Certain facilities and amenities are shut down due to weather and winter season.

Hours

May 1 - September 30:

Everything Open - Water and Showers weather dependent in May and September. Office hours 7am-7pm, Park open 24 hours a day to visitors; these hours vary as well due to seasonal employee personnel availability.

October - April:

North Fork Campground Closed; Sheep Mountain Day Use Area Closed; Rest of park open to camping and day use, ALL water systems turned off for the winter season.