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This state park is named for Col. William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who founded the town that bears his name and brought development to this area.
Located on the edge of the Shoshone National Forest, this park in northwestern Wyoming is near Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.
The park surrounds Buffalo Bill Reservoir, an 8,500-acre impoundment on the Shoshone River. Although the 3,500-acre park was established in 1957, its facilities date to 1993, when a dam extension raised the water level and flooded the old facilities.
At that time, the park's facilities were made barrier-free and new landscaping included the planting of 1,000 trees.
The 97 basic campsites at Buffalo Bill are divided into two campgrounds, each with water, restrooms and a trailer dump station. Most of the sites are pull-through.
Open April through October, most campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Group camp reservations are made by contacting the park office, not
the toll free number listed.
The reservoir is nationally known as a windsurfing destination. But the winds, along with sudden thunderstorms, make kayaking and canoeing risky. However, paddlers and commercial rafting outfitters do put in on the Shoshone below the dam, near Cody, and above the reservoir on the upper North Fork.
Icy water in the reservoir discourages swimmers.
The park has three boat ramps with docks. The docks are wheelchair-accessible; ramp accessibility varies with the water level.
Anglers come for brown, cutthroat, rainbow and lake trout. Ice fishing also takes place at Buffalo Bill.
The trail system is still being rebuilt, with a nature trail and a shoreline trail — both a quarter-mile long and wheelchair-accessible — completed to date.
Rock climbers work the cliffs below the dam, which are on Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation property.
Birdwatchers find large raptor populations, pelicans and many other species at the park. The scenery around the park is beautiful, with mountain views in every direction.
An elaborate visitors center at the dam is operated by a consortium of federal and state agencies.
Hunting is allowed in undeveloped areas of the park, and not within 400 yards of any park development or facility. Contact the park office for hunting season information and regulations.
Outdoor Activities |
