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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.
Plein Air in the Parks Award Winners Announced
 September 4, 2020
The third annual Plein Air in the Parks was held at Buffalo Bill State Park, Aug. 27-30, and concluded with an awards ceremony, reception, and art sale where this year’s award winners were announced. The award recipients are: Youth category for ages 12 and below: 1st place ($50): Waylon Hansen (Spearfish, SD), “River Day” Teen category for students 13-18: 1st place ($50): Hadlee Lennon (Powell, WY), “Untitled” Main Awards 3rd place ($250): Brooke Malia Mann (Cody, WY), “Green Across the Reservoir” 2nd place($500): Stephanie Rose (Powell, WY), “Water for the Desert” Best in Show ($1,000): Paul Kethley (Powell, WY), “Shoshone River” People’s Choice Award ($250): Shawna Pickinpaugh (Lander, WY), “Sheep Mountain Trailhead” Judge’s Choice Certificate: David Kewitt (Cody, WY), “Just Passing Thru” Artists could enter up to two pieces into the judged competition. Jurying was done anonymously. Jurors this year were Sue Simpson Gallager, owner of Simpson Gallagher Gallery in Cody, and Erin Johnson, artist and owner of Gestalt Studios at the Polar Plant in Powell. Plein Air in the Parks is a collaborative weekend event presented by Wyoming State Parks, the Wyoming Arts Council, and the Cody Country Art League. Image: Best in show - photo by Jody Horvath
Share this article: A Division of Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources 2301 Central Avenue, 4th Floor, Cheyenne, WY 82002 307-777-6323, www.wyoparks.org
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View more updates for Buffalo Bill State Park!
- 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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Site Status |
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COVID-19 Coronavirus Camping in Wyoming State Parks now open to ALL visitors. Social distancing guidelines in place. |
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Hours |
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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.
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