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Guernsey State Park
 

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Guernsey State Park - General Information

 

Guernsey State Park provides 19 campgrounds and 250 campsites. All campgrounds include comfort stations, picnic tables, and fire grills. We also have a trailer dump station located at the south entrance to Guernsey State Park. This park provides the finest examples of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work in the Rocky Mountain area. Built by the CCC, the Guernsey Museum, the Castle and Brimmer Point are available to explore. The museum is perched on a high cliff, overlooking the water. The building itself is made of hand hewn timbers and hand forged iron. The roof is framed with the timbers and covered with split cedar shakes, and the floors were formed by pieces of smooth flagstone. The Castle, with its giant fireplace and winding steps, leads to an observation area for a spectacular view of the park.

An extensive network of trails was originally planned and partially built during the operation of the CCC camps. Ever since that time hiking and trail use has been a major feature at Guernsey State Park. Approximately 14 miles of CCC trails have been restored on the park. Starting point for the trail system is at the Brimmer Point turnoff. The trail system consists of several loops which provide a variety of scenic views of the park, reservoir and the dam. Most of the trails are moderately physically demanding.

The Oregon Trail was one of the primary routes used by the immigrants' westward migration across the plains from 1841 to 1869. Today, in many parts of Wyoming, remnants of The Oregon Trail can still be seen. Some of the best examples are the "ruts"; located just 1/2 mile south of the town of Guernsey, off Highway 26.

Register Cliff located two miles southeast of Guernsey provided travelers with a "chalkboard" where they placed their names for those who followed. The landmark still remains much the way it looked to pioneers on wagon trains journeying West.

VIEW GUERNSEY MUSEUM DIGITIZATION PROJECT >>

Shawn Hess to Perform at Guernsey State Park as Part of Tunes on the Trail Concert Series

GUERNSEY, Wyo. – May 22, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources is pleased to present Shawn Hess as part of the 2026 Tunes on the Trail concert series—an initiative that blends live acoustic music with outdoor recreation in Wyoming’s scenic state parks.


The event at Guernsey State Park will take place on Saturday, June 6. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a hike (optional) followed by a live, 90-minute performance surrounded by nature.

  • Hike Start Time: 4:30 p.m.
  • Meeting Location for Hike: Red Cliff Trail - Main Boat Dock Parking Area 
  • Hike Distance and Difficulty: 1.25-mile hike featuring moderate terrain along the historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Red Cliff Trail along the high rock bluffs along the north bank of the river adjacent to the Dam.  
  • Performance Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
  • Performance Location: Guernsey State Park Museum

This Tunes on the Trail event features Shawn Hess, a staple of western and folk music in Wyoming. Shawn was born and raised in Cheyenne and has lived in Laramie for the last 15 years, touring often and releasing records. He commands a blend of skillful songwriting and vintage country western style. At times heart-wrenching, tender, or darkly witty, but always deeply personal, he delivers a truly unique brand of Wyoming storytelling.


Cassie Wells, superintendent of Guernsey  State Park, stated, “We are excited to host this event, which serves to both showcase a talented Wyoming artist and offer visitors a chance to experience the best of Guernsey State Park, including outdoor recreation, history, amazing views, and unique experiences.”


Standard day-use fees apply—$7 for Wyoming residents and $12 for non-residents per vehicle. However, all Tunes on the Trail events are free, and no additional event fees are charged.


Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets, explore the park, and take in the full experience. If you plan to hike, be sure to bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, appropriate footwear, and anything you might need. In case of inclement weather, updates will be posted on the park's social media channels at @GuernseyStatePark.


While registration is not mandatory, it is encouraged to help staff plan effectively. Please RSVP on the event's Eventbrite page, located on the official Facebook page at Bit.ly/TunesAtGuernsey. 


Attending? Tag your photos with #TunesOnTheTrail #WyoParks and #WyoRec. 


Tunes on the Trail is a summer concert series presented by Wyoming State Parks, the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, and the Wyoming Arts Council, all under the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR). The program celebrates Wyoming’s natural and cultural assets while supporting local musicians through the Wyoming Independent Music Initiative (WIMI).


To stay updated on upcoming events, follow us on our Facebook pages: @WyomingArtsCouncil, @WyoRec, and @WyomingStateParks. You can also learn more about the diverse programs offered by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources at wyospcr.wyo.gov.


Shawn-Hess
Figure 1: Shawn Hess, image courtesy of the artist. 


Contact: Jamie Hansen, (307) 460-8794; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

View more updates for Guernsey State Park!

 

Fees Schedule
 

Click here to view the Permits & Fees page

Important Rules and Regulations

 

  • Obey signs, traffic barriers and speed limits.
  • Motorized vehicles shall be operated only on the designated roadways of the park. A valid driver’s license is required.
  • Use of firearms and fireworks is prohibited.
  • Camping in designated campsites only. Camping is restricted to one camping unit (tent, travel trailer, or motor vehicle designated for camping) plus two licensed vehicles (car or boat, ORV/jet ski trailer) plus a maximum of 10 people.
  • Camping is permitted for a maximum of 14 days in a 30 day period. valis permits are required.
  • Quiet hours shall be maintained in all camping areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • All pets must be kept on a leash. Pets prohibited on designated beaches.
  • Glass containers must be used in vehicles or camping structures.
  • Fire are permitted only in provided fireplaces, grills and metal fire rings and must be extinguished before leaving.
  • Fishing and Boating are permitted subject to regulations of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
  • No fishing within 20 yards of any boat ramp/dock or designated beach area.
  • Park dumpsters and trash receptacles are for park refuse only- litter and trash must be disposed of in provided containers.
  • A complete list of SPHS&T rules and regulations are available at park headquarters and entry station booths.

 

 
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Site Status

 

Attention:


 

HCB Advisories
In Effect 6/19/2026

Avoid contact with water in the vicinity of the bloom, Do not ingest water from the bloom, Rinse fish with clean water and eat only the fillet portion, Avoid water spray from the bloom, Do not allow pets or livestock to drink water near the bloom, eat bloom material, or lick fur after contact.

If people, pets, or livestock come into contact with a bloom,
rinse off with clean water as soon as possible and contact a doctor or veterinarian.


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Boat Ramps Available

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Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in Place

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Dump Station is Open 

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Water Systems are Open
Except Fish Canyon Cove, Fish Canyon, & Skyline

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Reservations Open
May 15 - September 15

First Come First Served Campgrounds 

Newell Bay, Powell Mountain, Upper Spotted Tail, and Skyline Electric Campsites 271-275

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Yurts are Open 
April 16 - Oct. 14

 

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Museum is Open
May 1 - September 30

Daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Notice: 

There are NO AIS inspection locations in Guernsey. 
Stop at one of the following locations before you arrive! 
Locations Near Guernsey: 
- Cheyenne (multiple locations)
- Glendo Reservoir
- Manville Check Station 
- Torrington Port of Entry
Find a location here:
AIS Inspection Locations
 

 

 

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Hours

 

The Guernsey Museum is a seasonal facility that is open from May 1 through September 30. Visitors may visit the Museum between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m..

 

Map

Phone Number

 

307-836-2334

 

Map

 Location

 

 Guernsey State Park
 2187 Lake Side Drive
 Guernsey, WY 82214

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