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Recommended Weekend Excursions In Wyoming by newsdesk Camping and Hiking 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 1870's 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 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 which raised the crest of the dam 25 feet and increased the reservoir storage capacity. The enlarged reservoir inundated the former recreation areas, which required the removal of the old park facilities. Buffalo Bill State Park has been redeveloped. There are two developed campgrounds at Buffalo Bill State Park. Curt Gowdy State Park :Curt Gowdy State Park, named after the famous broadcaster, was established in 1971 through a lease agreement with the city of Cheyenne and the Boy Scouts. Today, it is administered by the Division of State Parks and Historic Sites, Wyoming Department of Commerce. This region was a favored camping area for the Comanche, Pawnee, Crow and Shoshone during their search for bison. Other tribes, including the Iowa, Cheyenne, Arapaho and Sioux are thought to have roamed the area also. The arrival of Union Pacific construction crews in the 1860s caused Native Americans to be pressured on the ever-shrinking hunting lands and their presence diminished into oblivion on the lands now known as Curt Gowdy State Park. Seminoe State Park :The Seminoe Mountains around Seminoe State Park were once the site for gold prospecting during the late 1800s. The name "Seminoe" is commonly assumed to come from the Seminole tribe, but is an Americanized spelling of the French name Cimineau. Basil Cimineau Lajeunesse was a French trapper in the area in the 1800. Sinks Canyon State Park :Sinks Canyon is so named because the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie, a rushing mountain river, flows out of the Wind River Mountains and through the Canyon. Halfway down the canyon the river abruptly turns into a large limestone cavern, and the crashing water "sinks" into fissures and cracks at the back of the cave. The river is underground for 1/4 mile until it emerges down canyon in a large calm pool called "The Rise" and then continues its course into the valley below. Where the water goes while it is underground is unknown. The sinks narrow to small, unexplorable log and rock jammed fissures. The Sinks and Rise occur in the thick, easily eroded off-white Madison Limestone formation. The amount of water flowing into the Sinks varies with the season. For many years it was unproven that the water flowing into the Sinks was the same water flowing out at the Rise. Dye tests have proven it is the same water but have revealed other mysteries. it takes the water flowing into the Sinks over two hours to reappear at the Rise. Geologists speculate that while underground the water circulates up and down and through many narrow, winding passages and pools until it resurfaces. It was also discovered that more water flows out at the Rise than goes in at the Sinks. The additional water may be coming from underground springs or other sinks formations in the area. It is unknown exactly how old the Sinks are although they are likely an Ice Age feature thousands of years old. The massive glaciers that carved the canyon exposed the soft limestone and the millions of gallons of water from the melting ice helped erode the underground passages. Native Americans knew of the Sinks for generations. The first white men to see them were fur trappers in the early 1800s. Sinks Canyon State Park offers 30 camping sites. Many of these sites are located along the river amid jumbled granite boulders, lodgepole pine and aspens. Hiking trails are available across the river from Popo Agie Campground. Hunting and Fishing Boysen State Park :Boysen is a good place for fishing, boating, or just relaxing, we think you'll find Boysen a good place to be. Most of the facilities are around the lake but two campgrounds are below the dam along the Wind River. The majority of the park is surrounded by sagebrush covered hills. The elevation is about 4,800 feet. The area is relatively dry. The 19,000 acre reservoir offers excellent recreation opportunities. It offers excellent ice fishing in the winter. Many type of water foul and wildlife may be viewed in the area. Boysen Reservoir contains a diverse fishery. Anglers will discover walleye, sauger, perch, crappie, ling, rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout as the major sports species. Other game fish present are largemouth bass, bluegill, stonecat, black bullhead, mountain whitefish, lake trout, brook trout and splake. Non-game species include carp, fathead minnow, plains killifish, golden and sand shiners; flathead, lake and creek chubs; white, longnose and northern redhorse suckers; and the river carpsucker. Along with fishing, swimming, skiing on the lake, one could take a white water rafting trip through the Wing River Canyon. Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park :Edness K. Wilkins State Park is a serene day-use park, where families, nature lovers and those looking for solitude can enjoy the huge old cottonwoods as they cast reflections on the historic North Platte River and lend shade to visitors. A pond, with its sandy beach, is an oasis in the summer months and the North Platte River provides a natural habitat for a variety of wildlife, and for fishing, canoeing and rafting. An additional 2.8 miles of hard-surfaced paths provide visitors with an opportunity to view some of the finest wildlife in the area. Anglers can try their fishing luck in the North Platte River and swimmers can take a refreshing dip at the park swimming area. Glendo State Park :Glendo is best known for it's excellent boating opportunities. There are lots of area for water skiing and some great fishing too. It is right in the middle of a very historic area. Keyhole State Park :Keyhole State Park has activities for everyone to enjoy--Swimming, sunbathing, hiking, boating, water-skiing, birdwatching and fishing. Some of Wyoming's largest fish have been caught at Keyhole. Keyhole Offers Many Attractions and is located on the western edge of the famed Black Hills, between Sundance and Moorcroft, and is easily accessed. Within sight of Devils Tower, Keyhole State Park is situated along the southeast shore of Keyhole Reservoir and offers excellent fishing for walleye, catfish, small mouth bass and northern pike. Keyhole is also a mecca for both resident and migrating birds of all species. One has the opportunity to view many type of wildlife including mule deer, white tailed deer, and wild turkeys. Seminoe State Park :The Seminoe Mountains around Seminoe State Park were once the site for gold prospecting during the late 1800s. The name "Seminoe" is commonly assumed to come from the Seminole tribe, but is an Americanized spelling of the French name Cimineau. Basil Cimineau Lajeunesse was a French trapper in the area in the 1800. Seminoe boasts good fishing for trout and walleye. Boaters enjoy the largest reservoir in the state park system. Only 12 miles north of the park is Wyoming's "Miracle Mile," a prime fishing stretch of the North Platte River. The 20,291 acres of water offers excellent Trout and Walleye fishing. Wildlife and waterfowl are abundant in the area. Recommended Weekend Excursions In Wyoming by newsdesk.

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