2017-11-09 04:08:56
Scenery straight out of an adventure magazine and plenty of welcoming towns make the Park to Park region ideal for a variety of getaways, from rugged backcountry escapes to relaxing retreats. You’ve probably heard about some of the famous sites here — Thermopolis’ soothing hot springs and dinosaur fossils, Casper’s Oregon Trail history and Douglas’ curious natural rock bridge — but they are just a few of the region’s many treasures. That's WY WELCOME CENTER • Southeast Wyoming Welcome Center (Cheyenne) VISTOR CENTERS • Casper • Chugwater • Douglas • Lusk • Meeteetse • Pine Bluffs • Thermopolis • Wheatland PARK TO PARK DESTINATIONS 1 STAGECOACH MUSEUM LUSK Lusk was a notorious cow town and busy homesteading area in its early days. Dive into pioneer history through relics from the 19th and 20th centuries and view an authentic stagecoach that was frequently used on the Cheyenne to Black Hills Stage and Express Line carrying passengers and gold. 2 FORT LARAMIE HISTORIC SITE & OREGON TRAIL RUTS NEAR GUERNSEY & TORRINGTON See actual tracks left by the countless wagons that passed along the Oregon Trail and tour restored buildings at the largest military post on the northern plains at Fort Laramie National Historic Site. The attraction was an 1834 private fur-trading station turned military post to protect trail travelers. 3 AYRES NATURAL BRIDGE DOUGLAS Discover a 100-foot-long natural rock arch spanning La Prele Creek west of Douglas. This oasis has a short trail that leads to a view of the bridge from above, as well as picnic tables that offer a break from the road. 4 NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS INTERPRETIVE CENTER CASPER Step back in time to understand the hardships and victories of those who ventured west in the 1800s on the Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express trails. Find out what it’s like to forge a river, or test your strength on the wagon-pulling exhibit. 5 THE MIRACLE MILE NEAR CASPER The cool waters of the North Platte River near Casper boast two lauded blue-ribbon fishing sections: the Miracle Mile and Grey Reef — which consistently produce a bounty of trophy trout. Join other adventure-hungry fishers on the banks of the river, or connect with an outfitter or guide. Find one on p. 127. 6 THE WYOMING DINOSAUR CENTER & DIG SITES THERMOPOLIS Make your way to the Dinosaur Center, where hundreds of displays and more than 30 mounted skeletons illustrate Wyoming’s prehistoric past, including the Archaeopteryx specimen — one of only 10 in the world. Opt for a dig-site tour or inquire about their Dig for A Day Program. STATE PARKS BOYSEN STATE PARK Shoshoni Situated at the opening of the Wind River Canyon, scenic campsites cater to stargazers, while Boysen Reservoir is a hot spot for boating, swimming and trout fishing. HOT SPRINGS STATE PARK Thermopolis Standout features at this park include 104-degree mineral waters for visitors hankering for a soak, a suspension bridge overlooking the Bighorn River and a herd of resident bison. EDNESS K. WILKINS STATE PARK Near Casper Edness K. Wilkins is a quiet getaway for nature lovers seeking the relaxing effect of tree-shaded terrain, birding (there’s more than 250 bird species), canoeing and fishing. GLENDO STATE PARK Glendo Glendo Reservoir is a top destination for boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing. Keep your eyes peeled for teepee rings and other artifacts left by Native American tribes who once inhabited the area. GUERNSEY STATE PARK Guernsey Tour historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, including a museum located at the top of a cliff that gives way to expansive views of a sparkling reservoir. WY AM I HERE? Former bull and bronc rider Chris Navarro is the Casper artist behind the life-size T-rex sculpture at Casper College’s Tate Geological Museum — and many other colossal masterpieces in Wyoming, including sculptures of bull rider Lane Frost at Cheyenne Frontier Park and the famous bucking horse at Laramie’s University of Wyoming. “Creating art has always made me feel part of something bigger than myself … I have made a great deal of western art — which is work I have a passion and knowledge of because I have been a horseman and cowboy all of my life.” — Chris Navarro in his book, Embrace the Struggle
©Wyoming. View All Articles.