Curt Gowdy State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Curt Gowdy State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Granite Springs Reservoir in 2008
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 Curt Gowdy State Park
Location in Wyoming
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| Location | Laramie County and Albany County, Wyoming, United States |
| Nearest city | Cheyenne and Laramie |
| Area | 3,395 acres (13.74 km2) |
| Elevation | 7,214 ft (2,199 m) |
| Designation | Wyoming state park |
| Established | 1971 (renamed for Gowdy in 1972) |
| Named for | Curt Gowdy, sportscaster |
| Visitors | 211,278 (in 2018) |
| Administrator | Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails |
| Website | Curt Gowdy State Park |
Curt Gowdy State Park is a super fun outdoor place in Wyoming, covering about 3,395 acres. It's located right between the cities of Cheyenne and Laramie, making it easy to visit! This park is famous for its awesome trails, great fishing spots, and a special building called Hynds Lodge, which is a historic landmark. The park is managed by Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails, making sure everyone can enjoy its beauty.
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Discover Curt Gowdy State Park!
Curt Gowdy State Park is a large outdoor area in Wyoming. It covers land in both Albany and Laramie counties. You can find it on Wyoming Highway 210, about 24 miles from both Cheyenne and Laramie.
A Look Back: Park History
The park first opened in 1971. It was created through an agreement with the City of Cheyenne and the Boy Scouts. Back then, it was called Granite State Park and was about 2,473 acres big.
Why the Name Change?
In 1972, the park got a new name: Curt Gowdy State Park. It was named after Curt Gowdy (1919–2006). He was a famous sportscaster, which means he talked about sports on TV and radio. Curt Gowdy was born in Wyoming and grew up in Cheyenne. He even played basketball and tennis at the University of Wyoming.
How the Park Grew
When it first opened, the park had two main lakes, called reservoirs: Crystal and Granite Springs. In 2005, the park got even bigger! It added the Upper North Crow Reservoir, a beautiful area called Hidden Falls, and the canyon below the Crystal Reservoir dam.
Trails and Visitors
In 2006, a big project started to make the park's trails even better. This project was led by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). The trails became so good that in 2009, they earned a special "Epic" award from IMBA.
Wyoming also began a program to build more hiking trails in its state parks. Curt Gowdy State Park was the first to try this, adding 32 miles of new trails. The goal was to make new trails without changing the park's natural look too much. Money for these trails came from government funds and private donations.
Because of these amazing trail improvements, more and more people started visiting the park. The number of visitors jumped from 56,000 in 2006 to 120,000 in 2013! To welcome all these new visitors, a brand-new, eco-friendly visitor center opened in 2014.
Exploring the Park's Nature
The park's land has gentle hills and cool, rocky spots made of granite. It's located in the foothills of the Laramie Mountains. The elevation in the park ranges from about 6,450 feet to over 7,500 feet high.
What Animals Live Here?
You can find different kinds of animals and fish in the park. Some of the fish include kokanee salmon, perch, brown trout, rainbow trout, and lake trout. You might also spot white-tailed deer and mule deer.
Park Sections and Lakes
Curt Gowdy State Park is divided into seven areas. These areas are centered around three main lakes, or reservoirs:
- Granite Springs: This is the largest lake in the park.
- Crystal: This is the smallest lake.
- Upper North Crow: This lake is a bit separate from the main part of the park, located to the northwest.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Curt Gowdy State Park offers over 35 miles of trails for many activities. You can go biking, hiking, or even horseback riding!
Other fun things to do include:
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Water skiing
- Fishing
- Camping
- Rockhounding (looking for cool rocks)
- Archery
