Guernsey State Park isn’t the biggest park in Wyoming, but it offers beautiful views and interesting historical sites. You can find it right near the town of Guernsey, which is along US-26 and east of where the route turns north and joins I-25. Guernsey isn’t an international attraction like Yellowstone up in the northwest part of the state, but you can find plenty of things to do if you want to spend a day or a weekend at the park.
Enjoy the Lake
Guernsey State Park surrounds the Guernsey Reservoir. This reservoir came into being in 1927, the year the North Platte River Dam started operation. It’s one of several artificial reservoirs in southeast Wyoming and residents from all over can come by to enjoy one of the few open bodies of water in the area. Guernsey State Park allows all kinds of boats into the water, so long as the water level is high enough to reach the boat launches. They also have two beach areas by the Sandy Beach Campground.
Explore the Hiking Trails
Just after the Guernsey Reservoir filled up, the Civilian Conservation Corps built up the surrounding area. They created the campgrounds, boat launches, trails, and cabins that visitors now use whey they stop by the park. Thanks to their efforts, the park has 14 miles of hiking trails, most of which take you across the western side of the trail. Thanks to the rugged terrain, the trails offer plenty of great scenic viewpoints and challenging slopes that experienced hikers will appreciate.
Dive Into Guernsey’s History
Guernsey State Park is home to a museum that overlooks the reservoir from a hill on the east side. The museum describes the natural and cultural history of the area, including how the historic Oregon Trail led right through Guernsey on its way along the North Platte River. The museum itself is a National Historic Landmark, built nearly a century ago as part of the CCC’s efforts to build the park. You can still see a set of ruts worn into the sandstone by the river just south of the town.
Spend the Night
The park has 245 individual campsites for tents and campers. Two of the campgrounds, Sandy Point and Sandy Beach, have water and electrical hookups for RVs and camper trailers. The park also offers a set of four permanent yurts, each with a magnificent view of the reservoir and the surrounding area. The yurts cost extra, but they give you an unforgettable experience while you’re staying at the park.
Guernsey State Park offers visitors a quiet but fun time along the Guernsey Reservoir. The lake offers swimming and boating opportunities, and you might even catch a glimpse of the wildlife that comes from miles around to drink their fill. Southeast Wyoming tends to be a dry, barren place, so it’s nice to get away from that sometimes and enjoy the desert life and atmosphere you can find around a reservoir.
Image by bhossfeld, used under CCO 1.0
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