Originally known as Granite State Park, Curt Gowdy State Park is an adventure-oriented park boasting of popular recreational activities that will be great for the active RV travelers. The park lies at the foothills of the Laramie Mountains and is spread across 3,395 acres in southeastern Wyoming, 25 miles west of Cheyenne and 25 miles east of Laramie. Named after famous sportscaster Curt Gowdy, who was brought up in Wyoming, the park's highest elevation is 7,598 feet, providing spectacular views of the land beneath and the rolling hills.
For history lovers, there is the Hynds Lodge, a nice historical facility to be explored. Music lovers can spend time in the park's amphitheater that hosts multiple concerts, cultural activities, and musical events. Another relaxing activity RVers can embark on during their stay is horseback riding. With a designated equestrian loop and free horse corral, the Curt Gowdy State Park is designed with avid equestrians in mind, making it the perfect destination to explore the park's diverse landscape on horseback. If you bring your horse with you in the trailer this horse-friendly park has a huge fenced pasture area.
The park also has many other recreational activities available, including hiking, fishing, and boating. For archery enthusiasts, remember to pack your archery gear in your camper in preparation of the two-mile archery trail in the woods near the Granite Reservoir. There are no charges to use the park’s archery range. An archery contest is held annually. Thank to its reservoirs, Curt Gowdy holds a variety of water sports throughout the year including kayaking, water skiing, and canoeing. Granite Springs and Crystal reservoirs are open for boating and paddleboarding. However, swimming is not permitted.
RV lovers will be pleased to note that there are over 150 campsites available for you to call home during your stay. Whether you are a first time RV traveler or a seasoned expert, there is something for everyone here. The peak season at Curt Gowdy State Park peak is between May to September.
Getting to and from Curt Gowdy State Park is quite easy thanks to its close location to Cheyenne, which is the capital city of Wyoming. If you are passing through Cheyenne, this will be a great place to stop and gather any supplies that you may need to enjoy your stay at the park. If you are coming from the west you should stop in at the city of Laramie.
When driving from Cheyenne, take the exit at 10D. If coming from Laramie, take exit 323 and follow Happy Jack Road, then County Road 106 and drive to the park’s entrance. There should be no issues with driving within the park and no obstacles that could potentially damage your rented or own rig. Once you reach your site in the campground, they are known to be fairly level so you shouldn't need any blocks.
One thing to be aware of is that Wyoming is windy, so ensure your RV site is secure. During the wintertime, the area is known to get a lot of snowfall, so if you plan to travel to the park call ahead to ensure the roads will be open.
There are ample parking lots, with the Aspen Grove Parking area and Volin Parking area being the main RV parking areas. There are more parking spaces inside the campground for overnight visitors.
A historic railroad town and now the home of the University of Wyoming, western pride is evident in the small town of Laramie. Surrounded by beautiful mountains, Laramie KOA is easily accessible off of I-80 and has more than 100 full hookup and pull-through RV sites for you to choose from.
There are also some other great amenities, including the seasonal recreational center, dog park, snack bar, and gift shop. You will also find restrooms with showers, laundry facilities, and picnic tables within the park.
If you are looking for some other activities to do besides visiting the park you can check out Lincoln Monument, American Heritage Center, the historic mansion and the University campus.
Another option for RV camping outside of the park is Cheyenne KOA. Located within the capital of Wyoming, Cheyenne KOA is a highly rated campground that will be a great RV destination choice.
The sites at Cheyenne KOA have the option of 50-amp electrical hookups, and the pull-through sites can accommodate rigs up to 85 feet. Other amenities include Wi-Fi, cable TV, and water collection points. The rest of the campground is also well equipped. When you stay at the Cheyenne KOA, you can enjoy swimming in the pool, hanging out at the pavilion, playing rounds of mini-golf, using the Kamping Kitchen, dog park, and playing plenty of yard games.
Engraved in the hilly section of the park, Curt Gowdy State Park offers pet-friendly campgrounds featuring 159 electric and non-electric campsites. These campsites are spread across 12 camping areas, including South Causeway, Tumbleweeds, Granite Point, Aspen Groove, Happy Jack, Twin Lakes Creek, Hecla Point, Pine Mountain, Twin Bays, Sherman Hills, North Causeway, and Federal Bay.
Most of the campsites are designed in such a way that they give awesome views of the lake. You don’t have to worry if you are coming with your horse in your trailer since there is an equestrian trail and free public horse corrals near the Aspen Groove Campsite. Campsites are open for reservation up to 120 days in advance. The campgrounds are open year-round, although some sites close during the winter.
Ninety of the Curt Gowdy State Park campsites can be reserved, while 69 sites are available on first-come, first-served basis. Amenities within the campground include a dump station, grills, picnic tables, concession, fire rings, water faucets, restrooms, and shower rooms. Group camping areas are available.
You can bring your own supplies with you, or alternatively you can drive for approximately 30 minutes to Cheyenne. There is a large kid’s playground and pets on a leash are welcome at the facility. Generator use is allowed. Cell coverage is spotty, and there is no Wi-Fi connectivity, so this is a great time to get unplugged and enjoy the serenity of the great outdoors.
Take your lunch and drive the rig to Curt Gowdy State Park- the number one picnic site in Wyoming. Here you can enjoy your meal within the wonders of the park and have a day out that you will always remember. There are plenty of places to have a picnic at the park, including at one of the seven picnic shelters. If you are planning for a reunion or large gathering there are three available group picnic shelters, which can be reserved early in advance to avoid disappointment.
For history lovers, the opportunity to camp and explore Hynds Lodge provides excellent views of the rolling green hills. Situated in the hillside and surrounded by granite formation this lodge is named after Harry P. Hynds, who initially donated this historic recreational camp to the Wyoming Boy Scouts in 1922. In 1971 the Hynds Lodge was included in National Register of Historic Places, and today it serves as a camping lodge for Curt Gowdy State Park visitors. Amenities include a kitchen, dining room, porch, and fireplace. The lodge is open from early May to October each year.
One of the most popular activities in Curt Gowdy State Park is hiking throughout its 35 miles of trails. Winding through the falls, granite outcroppings, pine trees, hills, and encircling the lake are a plethora of hiking trails offering RV visitors a chance to absorb the breathtaking views from different angles. For beginners, the park is laced with 10 easy and scenic trails of varying lengths and a dozen trails rated as moderate. For more challenging hikes, there are 11.3 miles of strenuous trails suitable for avid hikers. One of the most scenic trails is the Crow Creek Trail, which will enable visitors to discover the beautiful hidden falls. The park also has the one-mile Kate’s Trail which is paved and handicap-accessible.
Sixty-nine sites at Curt Gowdy State Park are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Amenities within the campground include a dump station, grills, picnic tables, concession, fire rings, water faucets, restrooms, and shower rooms. Group camping areas are available. Pets are welcome as long as they are on a leash. The kids will love running around at the nearby playground. Generator use is also permitted.
One of the best ways to explore the waters of Curt Gowdy State Park is to get out on them! Boating is available on both the Granite Reservoir and the Crystal Reservoir, and you are allowed to use motorized boats that have up to 15 horsepower. If you are looking to do some peaceful non-motorized boating away from the noise you can do so at North Crow Reservoir, which is located five miles west of the Visitor's Center.
In addition to Curt Gowdy State Park epic adventures, there are plenty of wildlife to see, including deer, rabbit, and bisons roaming freely around the park. With over 70 avian species, the park is a bird watchers' paradise, with the commonly spotted birds, including hummingbirds, pigmy nuthatches, and nutcrackers. During the spring, you can enjoy watching plenty of waterfowls lining the shores of the three park reservoirs too.
Curt Gowdy State Park has some of the most top-notch mountain biking trails in Wyoming. For avid cyclers, there is no better way to explore the wonders of nature than cycling and this is true when it comes to mountain biking in Curt Gowdy State Park. Before you leave on your journey, remember to pack your mountain bike in your camper for maximum enjoyment. The single-track biking trail designated as the Stone Temple Circuit Trail is a mix of easy paths and some difficult trails meant for expert riders to enjoy maneuvering over the granite slabs. From beginners to advanced bikers, the biking trail offers cyclists rewarding views of the gentle hills, hidden waterfalls, and granite cliffs.
Interestingly, the park is dotted with three distinguished reservoirs that you can cast a line in. Granite Springs is the biggest, Crystal is the smallest, and North Crow the most primitive, earning Curt Gowdy a stunning reputation for fishing. At the foothills of Laramie Mountains, anglers will love the opportunity to catch rainbow trout, cutthroat, and kokanee salmon. Also, the park has two ADA-accessible fishing piers. Ice fishing is available during winter. Make sure you pack your fishing gear in your camper for the chance to catch these incredible Wyoming waters.
The Visitor Center at Curt Gowdy State Park is very impressive. The 8,700-square-foot building is a hub of activity throughout the year and should be your first stop once you make it to the park. There is plenty of great information about the park and its history for you to enjoy, including a lobby and exhibit area, a multipurpose room, and an extensive display about Curt Gowdy. If you have any last-minute questions about anything to do with the park this will be a great time to ask one of the friendly staff before you go and explore.
