For those looking for adventure near the border of Colorado and Wyoming, have we got the spot for you! Perfect for a weekend getaway, a family road trip, or a short day trip, Curt Gowdy is sure to be the Wyoming State Park you didn't know you needed to visit. Even those in Denver can enjoy this vibrant outdoor haven as it's located just two hours from the Colorado capital city.
About Curt Gowdy State Park
Spanning 3,395 acres in the southeast corner of Wyoming, Curt Gowdy State Park presents on an outdoor haven on Arapaho, Cheyenne, and O?héthi ?akówi? Native land. The park is located 24 miles west of Cheyenne and 24 miles east of Laramie, Wyoming, and is accessed by taking State Route 210 (Happy Jack Road) to County Road 106 to Granite Springs Road.
Filled with historic sites, seven sections of diverse landscape, the beautiful Laramie mountains, and three reservoirs, Curt Gowdy offers something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are an angler, hiker, biker, camper, or even an archer, this park caters to you.
Camping and Activities
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Boating & Fishing
Fishing and boating opportunities at Curt Gowdy are plentiful with the Granite Reservoir, the North Crow Reservoir, and Crystal Reservoir. The smallest of the reservoirs (Crystal) provides shoreline fishing for brown trout, rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon. North Crow is nestled five miles from the park's visitor center and is the only one that offers splake, brown and rainbow trout, and grayling (day-use only).
Stream fishing is allowed at the walk-in area between the Crystal and Granite Reservoirs, the inlet leading to Granite Reservoir, and the outlet of the Upper North Crow Reservoir. Also, enjoy boating while at Crystal (15 horsepower limit). North Crow Reservoir is located 5 miles west of the Headquarters Building. This is an unimproved fishing area. There are no picnic tables, water supply, comfort stations, and is day-use only.
Boating is permitted between May and October on the Crystal and Granite Reservoirs (15 horsepower limit). You can partake in non-motorized boating on North Crow Reservoir. You can also rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes at the Camp Store next to the boat ramp.
Hiking Trails
Hikers can rejoice at the 35-mile trail system that this park features. Crow Creek Trail offers an amazing waterfall at the end, the one-mile Curt Gowdy Kate's Trail is great for families (ADA-accessible), and Pole Mountain boasts amazing views. Bikers can also enjoy mountain biking on the trails, which are widely known for their Epic-rated 19.2-mile loop track. Other notable sites include Hidden Falls and Twin Lakes.
Archery & Bird Watching
Bird watchers flock to the area in late April and early May as migrating birds rest in the park. The birds you can see include the colorful Mountain Bluebirds. For archery lovers, the large outdoor range meets National Field Archer Association standards and is free of charge (calling ahead is encouraged, however).
Staying the Night at Curt Gowdy
Campers will delight at the multiple options for staying overnight at the park. There are a total of 159 campsites and all are by reservation only. Call 1-877-996-7275 or reserve online here. You can get an electric hookup site for $5/night when applicable. For those camping with horses, Aspen Grove Campground is next to a free public horse corral.
Also available to rent and use is Hynds Lodge as well as an amphitheater available for concerts, theater productions, and many other cultural activities. Be sure to pack for the weather, bring plenty of drinking water, and most of all — HAVE FUN!
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