If you want to learn more about the Seminole Indians, you’re in the wrong part of the country. Seminoe State Park is named for Basil Cimineau, who was an early French trapper in this area. But if you want to load up your motorhome and experience some great outdoor activities, then head to Seminoe State Park in Wyoming.
The Seminoe Dam is one of the largest ones in the country which is not named Hoover or Grand Coulee. It backed up water into the Seminoe Mountains, creating a huge 19,000-acre lake. That lake is one of the best fishing spots in the state. Additionally, the confluence of aquatic and mountain environments creates some wonderful wildlife-viewing opportunities. Other activities include hiking, hunting, and more.
Seminoe State Park has over 60 rustic RV campsites. Most of them are pull-through sites, most of them have plenty of elbow room, and most of them are first come, first served. So, whether you plan to stay for a week or a weekend, load your rig and hit the road.
Many locals believe that this park is one of the nicest ones in the Wyoming state park system, and that’s saying a lot. Seminoe State Park is almost due south of Casper and northwest of Cheyenne. As mentioned, Seminoe Lake is pretty much on the borderline between some of the most rugged country in this area and a broad basin that’s basically an ancient seabed. So, whether you come through the mountains from Casper or across the plain from Cheyenne, the scenery is pretty incredible.
You must take Highway 357 to reach the park, which is located adjacent to the dam near the upper reaches of Seminoe Lake. This road is a bit narrow, but since there is practically no traffic, it should not be a problem for your rig.
Inside the park, RVs are not allowed in the Sunshine Beach area. But they are welcome in other parts of the park, including the Day Use Area.
The more compact of the two Seminoe State Park RV campgrounds has 27 RV parking sites. Nine of them, including the sprawling group RV parking spot, are reservable. The group site and several individual sites are almost literally on the water’s edge. All these sites are level and paved with gravel. Each one has a fire ring and a picnic table, which is very nice at night. Campground amenities include a boat launch, dump station, drinking water spigots, and restroom/shower areas. There is not a whole lot of shade here, but you do not come to Wyoming to sit under trees.
This larger, more scenic, and more spread-out RV campsite features 24 gravel campsites. The group site is reservable and every other place, including the pull-through sites on the water’s edge, is first come first served. The upper part of this campground has some very nice views, and the lower part has a boat launch.
This 30-site campground is probably the best pure camping RV spot in Seminoe State Park. Individual sites are quite nice. They are level and have features like fire pits and picnic tables. But you will be roughing it. There is no drinking water and no boat launch. On the plus side, the lake shoreline is very gentle with few rocks.
Seminoe Lake’s deep, clear waters are excellent for fishing. The trout fishing is excellent here. Park rangers stock the lake with about 100,000 rainbow trout a year. Most of the rainbow trout are in the northern part of the lake. Anglers who venture a bit further south will probably land some good-size brown trout. As good as the trout fishing is, the walleye is even better. Most of the state-record walleye catches are from Seminoe Lake. Rangers added lots of these fish between 2011 and 2015, and the population continues to thrive. The North Platte River basin area is a good walleye spot.
This Pathfinder Reservoir trout stream could technically go under the “fishing” section, but it deserves top billing. Legendary baseball broadcaster and Wyoming native Curt Gowdy dubbed this area the “Miracle Mile” both for its scenery and its trout stream. Fly fishers flock to this place. Try saying that three times fast. The Miracle Mile is actually a five-mile stretch of stream and canyon, but the name works for marketing purposes.
This huge sand dune, which is part of the Killpecker Sand Dune complex, is a mecca for off-road vehicles. Easy stretches are available, or you can go all the way to the top, where the Seminoe Lake and Seminoe Mountain views are stunning. If you get a little hot, drive down to the Sand Dune Day Use Area and cool off. The sandy beach is one of the largest ones in Wyoming. Day Use facilities include picnic tables and bathrooms.
Pronghorn, raccoons, moose, elk, mountain lions, coyotes, bald eagles, mule deer, and other wildlife freely roam the mountains and often come to the water’s edge to drink. Winter is an even better time to view wildlife at Seminoe State Park. The northern part of this area contains the 5,000-acre Morgan Creek Drainage. This forest is the winter home of many bighorn sheep and elk.
Antelope, deer, elk, and moose season are all in the fall. Pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, and other small game seasons vary, but they are mostly in the fall or early spring. Certain parts of the park are open to hunters and certain parts are closed off, so watch the signs and ask a ranger.
Moonless winter nights are a good time to take in the night sky at Seminoe State Park. With just a simple telescope, sharp features of the inner planets, like Mars and Venus, are clearly visible. With something a little stronger, you can see similar details on the gas giants. All the while, look for shooting stars streaking across the sky and some other sights you won’t soon forget.
