Keyhole State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Keyhole State Park |
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![]() Keyhole Reservoir
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Location | Crook County, Wyoming, United States |
Nearest town | Moorcroft, Wyoming |
Area | 15,890 acres (64.3 km2) |
Elevation | 4,088 ft (1,246 m) |
Designation | Wyoming state park |
Established | 1952 |
Administrator | Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails |
Website | Keyhole State Park |
Keyhole State Park is a fun public park in Wyoming. It's a great place to visit, located about 10 miles northeast of Moorcroft in Crook County. This park surrounds the beautiful Keyhole Reservoir. The Wyoming Division of State Parks and Historic Sites takes care of the park.
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What is Keyhole State Park?
Keyhole State Park is a large area where people can enjoy nature and outdoor activities. It covers about 15,890 acres of land. The park is built around the Keyhole Reservoir, which is a big lake. This lake was created by a dam on the Belle Fourche River.
How Was Keyhole Reservoir Formed?
The Keyhole Reservoir was created by building the Keyhole Dam. This project was finished in 1952 by the United States Bureau of Reclamation. The dam helps control floods and stores water.
The reservoir can hold a lot of water, about 334,200 acre-feet. Its surface covers about 13,700 acres. The water from the reservoir is used for many things. It helps farmers with irrigation and provides water for towns. It also helps protect fish and wildlife.
Who Uses the Water from Keyhole Reservoir?
Even though the reservoir is in Wyoming, most of its water goes to South Dakota. About 90 percent of the water is used by South Dakota. The remaining 10 percent is used by Wyoming. This agreement was made to share the water fairly.
Fun Things to Do at Keyhole State Park
Keyhole State Park offers many exciting activities for visitors. It's a perfect spot for outdoor adventures.
Camping and Boating
The park has several places where you can set up a tent or park an RV. These are called campgrounds. There is also a marina, which is like a parking lot for boats. You can rent boats or launch your own here.
Fishing and Water Sports
Keyhole Reservoir is a popular place for fishing. Many different kinds of fish live in its waters. You can also enjoy other water activities. These include swimming, boating, and even waterskiing. It's a great place to cool off on a hot day.