Guernsey State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guernsey State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Guernsey Reservoir
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 Guernsey State Park
Location in Wyoming
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| Location | Platte County, Wyoming, United States |
| Nearest town | Guernsey, Wyoming |
| Area | 8,631 acres (34.93 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,416 ft (1,346 m) |
| Designation | Wyoming state park |
| Established | 1934 |
| Administrator | Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails |
| Website | Guernsey State Park |
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Lake Guernsey State Park
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Guernsey State Park Museum
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| Area | 3,760 acres (original) 8,602 acres (increase) |
| Built | 1934-39 |
| Architect | Roland Pray (original) S. R. Deboer; Richard G. Redell (expanded) |
| Architectural style | National Park Service Rustic, Bungalow/Craftsman |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004051 (original) 97001260 (increase) |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | August 26, 1980 (original) September 25, 1997 (increase) |
| Designated NHLD | September 25, 1997 |
Guernsey State Park is a fun outdoor area in Platte County, Wyoming, USA. It's about one mile northwest of the town of Guernsey. The park is built around the Guernsey Reservoir, which is a large lake created by a dam on the North Platte River.
This state park is a great place for camping, boating, and hiking. It also has amazing buildings and structures. These were built in the 1930s by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The Wyoming Division of State Parks and Historic Sites helps manage the park.
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Park History
The story of Guernsey State Park began with the building of the Guernsey Dam. Construction on the dam started in 1925 and finished in 1927. This dam created the large lake, or reservoir, that you see today.
The Civilian Conservation Corps
Between 1934 and 1939, a special group of workers helped create the park. These workers were part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression. It gave jobs to young men and helped them build important projects across the country. They built many of the park's facilities, like picnic shelters and trails.
In 1957, the state of Wyoming took over managing the park.
A National Historic Landmark
In 1997, Lake Guernsey State Park was named a National Historic Landmark District. This means it's a very important historical place in the United States. It was recognized for its unique design and how it was built.
Guernsey State Park was one of the first places where the National Park Service and the Bureau of Reclamation worked together on a design. The park's buildings and structures were all built by the CCC crews.
Park Features
The park has a museum called the Guernsey State Park Museum. Here, you can learn all about the CCC and the history of the area. You can also discover more about the plants and animals that live here.
The park is also home to some very old and important historical sites. One of these is the Oregon Trail Ruts. These are deep grooves left in the ground by wagons from pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail long ago.
Another important spot nearby is Register Cliff. This cliff is located about two miles southeast of the park. Pioneers carved their names into the cliff as they passed by on the Oregon Trail.
Things to Do at the Park
Guernsey State Park offers many fun activities for visitors.
- Camping: The park has seven different campgrounds where you can set up your tent or RV.
- Boating: There are three boat ramps, making it easy to get your boat onto the lake.
- Fishing: If you like to fish, you might catch fish like walleye, yellow perch, and channel catfish. The lake's water level changes twice a year, which can affect the fish.
- Hiking: You can explore the park on its many hiking trails.
Images for kids
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Guernsey State Park Museum
