SINCLAIR, Wyo. — Aug. 25, 2026 — Wyoming State Parks is advising visitors to Seminoe State Park to plan for intermittent water system interruptions through the remainder of the camping season as upgrades to the park’s water system are completed.

Campers are encouraged to arrive with their RV or camper water tanks filled, as water availability within the park will be limited at times during construction.

The park’s dump station will remain open; however, construction activity may occasionally affect access or timing of use. Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and allow for potential delays.

Wyoming State Parks appreciates visitors’ patience and understanding as these improvements are completed.

For more information and park updates, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov/seminoe or follow Seminoe State Park on Facebook.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Aug. 24, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Arts Council invite the public to attend the final Artist in Residence programs of the 2026 season, taking place throughout September at Wyoming State Parks.

As part of Wyoming’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 Artist in Residence Program expanded to include 19 artists at nine state parks. Throughout the summer, artists representing visual art, music, dance, performance art, and creative writing have engaged visitors, developed original works inspired by place, and explored Wyoming’s history, culture, and future through creative expression.

September features six residencies across four Wyoming state parks, highlighting performance art, visual art, and creative writing while offering visitors multiple opportunities to engage directly with artists and their creative process. 

Each residency includes three days of creative work and visitor engagement, culminating in a public program on Saturday. Public programs may include readings, demonstrations, workshops, performances, discussions, or presentations that provide visitors an opportunity to connect directly with artists and their work.

September residencies include:

• Sept. 2–5 – Keyhole State Park: Oakley Boycott (Lander, performance art)

          Public Program: 

          - Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

          - Friday, Sept. 4, 2026  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

          - Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., artist talk back 5 - 6 p.m.

          Location: Tatanka Campground Shelter

• Sept. 2–5 – Sinks Canyon State Park: Tara Pappas (Laramie, visual art)

          Public Program: Saturday, Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
          Location: Visitor Center

• Sept. 9–12 – Hot Springs State Park: Sidney Woods (Afton, creative writing)

          Public Program: Saturday, Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
          Location: Lower Terrace Shelter

• Sept. 16–19 – Sinks Canyon State Park: Natalie Callum (Lander, creative writing)

          Public Program: Saturday, Sept. 19 at 3 -4:30 p.m. 
          Location: Sawmill Campground

• Sept. 16–19 – Edness K. Wilkins State Park: Donna Buckley (Casper, visual art)

          Public Program: Saturday, Sept. 5 at 10 - 11 a.m.
          Location: Mountain View Shelter

• Sept. 23–26 – Keyhole State Park: Maddison Hodson (Cody, creative writing)

          Public Program: Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.
          Location: Tatanka Campground Shelter

The Artist in Residence Program provides artists with an opportunity to create work inspired by Wyoming’s landscapes, history, and communities while offering visitors new ways to experience state parks and historic sites. Artists participating in the 2026 program were asked to reflect on Wyoming’s official Semiquincentennial themes of honoring the past, examining the present, and imagining the future.

Visitors are encouraged to attend the free public programs and to interact with artists throughout their residencies. Additional event details, including program locations and times, will be shared by individual parks and historic sites through their social media channels.

The Wyoming Artist in Residence Program is a partnership between Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Arts Council. Both are programs within the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, which provides recreational, cultural, and educational opportunities and experiences to improve communities and enrich lives.

For more information about the Artist in Residence Program, visit the Wyoming Arts Council at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Learn more about Wyoming State Parks at wyoparks.wyo.gov or follow @WyomingStateParks on Facebook for updates on upcoming events and programs statewide.

Contacts: 

Rachel Clifton, Executive Director

Wyoming Arts Council

(307) 256-0500 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Christina Bird, District Manager

Wyoming State Parks

(307) 631-1110 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CASPER, Wyo. – Aug. 24, 2026 – The biennial Preserve Wyoming Conference returns to Casper Sept. 17–19, marking the first time in 15 years the statewide historic preservation conference has been held in the city. The three-day conference will bring together preservation professionals, community leaders, and advocates to learn, network, and celebrate historic preservation across Wyoming. New this year, the conference will also feature industry professionals and vendors.

Held every two years in communities across the state, the Preserve Wyoming Conference provides an opportunity to share resources, ideas, and practical strategies to preserve Wyoming’s historic places and strengthen the communities connected to them.

The Preserve Wyoming Conference is taking place in Casper from Sept. 17-19 at the Best Western Downtown Casper, 123 W. E Street. The conference is hosted by the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, and the Casper Historic Preservation Commission. 

Schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 17: Check-in begins at 3 p.m., followed by the Awards Banquet from 5:30–8 p.m. The banquet will be hosted by former Wyoming Gov. Mike Sullivan. 

Friday, Sept. 18: Four speaker sessions will be held between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with lunch from noon–1 p.m. Sessions include: 

• 9:00-10:15 a.m. - Pathways to Preservation: Turning Historic Buildings into Funded Projects with Christina Hiegel, PE, National Development Services Manager, Ayres Associates
• 10:30-11:45 a.m. - Preserve to Prosper: Connecting Historic Preservation and Outdoor Recreation in Wyoming with Cheyenne Sterck, Executive Director of the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance
• 1:45-3:00 p.m. - A Pathway to Preservation: The Laramie West Side Historic District with Megan McDonald, Architectural Historian, Post Oak Preservation Solutions
• 3:15-4:30 p.m. - The Old Yellowstone District: 15 years Later with Liz Becher, Community Development Director, City of Casper
• At 5:30 p.m., the Casper Historic Preservation Commission will lead a walking tour of the Casper Downtown Historic District. 

Saturday, Sept. 19: Sessions begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and include an “Ask the Experts” roundtable featuring representatives from the Alliance for Historic Wyoming, the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund, the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, Post Oak Preservation Solutions, and Iron Spur Architecture and Design. 

The Keynote lunch begins at noon and features Rep. Trey Sherwood. Her presentation, Pathways to Preservation, will reflect on how Wyoming communities can tell their stories and create a path forward for preservation, from grassroots community building to legislative policy. 

Those interested in attending the Preserve Wyoming Conference should contact Katie Leeper at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Aug. 31 for registration information. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Aug. 20, 2026 – The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation facilitates 12 Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives throughout the state. These Collaboratives bring together local community members, recreation stakeholders, businesses, conservation groups, federal and state agencies, and elected officials to identify and prioritize grassroots opportunities to grow and enhance outdoor recreation in Wyoming.

Members of the public are welcome to attend this round of meetings in person or virtually via Google Meet. Near the end of each meeting, a designated time will be allocated for public comments. 

Dates, times, and call-in information for upcoming Collaborative meetings are as follows:

The Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (BBORC), representing Big Horn, Hot Springs, and Washakie Counties, will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Ten Sleep Public Library, located at 200 Fir St, Ten Sleep, WY 82442. Join virtually through a video call: meet.google.com/dbj-robi-bzh or dial in: ‪(US) +1 786-671-5474‬, PIN: ‪726 583 116‬#.

The Cloud Peak Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (CPORC), representing Johnson and Sheridan Counties, will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Johnson County Library, located at 171 N Adams Ave, Buffalo, WY 82834. Join virtually through a video call: meet.google.com/tdq-gcvk-zdn or dial in: ‪(US) +1 317-961-0767,‬ PIN: ‪570 046 874#.

The Northeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (NEWORC), representing Campbell, Crook, and Weston Counties, will meet on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Weston County Library, located at 23 W Main St, Newcastle, WY 82701. Join virtually through a video call: meet.google.com/xqg-gjdr-wpf or dial in: ‪(US) +1 541-647-1789,‬ PIN: ‪447 662 565‬#.

The Natrona Converse Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (NCORC), representing Natrona and Converse Counties, will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Platte River Trails Pumphouse, located at 1775 W 1st St West Entrance, Casper, WY 82604. Join virtually through a video call: meet.google.com/hnj-kptw-fxv or dial in: ‪(US) +1 402-645-1227‬, PIN: ‪210 040 044‬#.

The Park County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (PCORC), representing Park County, will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department - Cody Regional Office, located at 2 Tilden Trl, Cody, WY 82414. Join virtually through a video call: meet.google.com/xup-nxrc-utw or dial in: ‪(US) +1 857-496-5077,‬ PIN: ‪951 712 356‬#.

The Wind River Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (WRORC) representing Fremont County, will meet on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Riverton City Hall, Council Chambers, located at 816 N Federal Blvd, Riverton, WY 82501. Join virtually through a video call: meet.google.com/rap-vwhf-rru or dial in: ‪(US) +1 978-309-9903,‬ PIN: ‪134 580 377‬#.

The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation champions responsible outdoor recreation to improve communities and diversify Wyoming’s economy.

Learn more about the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives by visiting wyorec.com.

To stay informed about the latest developments and ongoing work of these Collaboratives, subscribe to the monthly newsletter, The Collaborative Connection.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Aug. 19, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks is announcing an agreement with Big Springs Spa, Inc., current operator of the Hot Springs Hotel, formerly the Days Inn Hotel, in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Under the agreement, the State will pay Big Springs Spa, Inc. $1,175,921.05 for the appraised value of its capital investment and ongoing business interest in the hotel. 

The agreement follows an appraisal process conducted pursuant to Section 335 of Enrolled Act 27 of the Sixty-Eighth Wyoming Legislature, also known as the 2027 Budget Bill. 

Section 335 required Wyoming State Parks to conduct an appraisal of the capital investment and ongoing business value of an existing concessionaire that was not selected for a subsequent long-term contract. The Legislature authorized up to $3 million in previously appropriated funds for reimbursement based on the appraised value, subject to review and written approval by the Wyoming Attorney General. 

“This agreement, along with the recent agreement with the Star Plunge, will allow us to focus on the future of the hotel and water park concessions at Hot Springs State Park,” said Nick Neylon, deputy director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. “We look forward to moving ahead with improvements that will provide a safe, welcoming, and high-quality experience for Wyoming residents and visitors.” 

For more information about Wyoming State Parks, please visit WyoParks.Wyo.Gov. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Aug. 19, 2026 –  The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Commission will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in Buffalo, Wyoming. 

Details for the virtual option are below: 

Video Call link:  meet.google.com/ews-bukc-ovb 

Or dial:  (US) +1 520-485-7730  

PIN:  244 252 387# 

The Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR) Commission's agenda will feature Department updates, division and program reports, Hot Springs State Park concessionaire agreements, Glendo Marina concessionaire agreement, and the Wyoming State Museum's quarterly accession and deaccession report.  The Commission urges community members to attend and contribute to this vital conversation, as public input and discussion are highly encouraged.

The SPCR Commission is a nine-member advisory board established by statute W.S. 36-4-101 through W.S. 36-4-123. Members are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor based on Appointment Districts and must be confirmed by the Senate. The Commission meets quarterly to provide informed guidance and consultation to SPCR staff.

Additionally, the Commission supports the agency's programs and advocates for the public before the Wyoming Legislature while promoting efficient, responsive, timely, and professional service delivery.

For more information regarding the upcoming meeting, please contact Executive Assistant Tatum Soto at (307) 777-7496 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To learn more about the Commission and view past meeting minutes, please visit wyospcr.wyo.gov.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Aug. 18, 2026 – Opening Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Capitol Gallery, “A Prescription for History: The Legacy of Jim Gatchell” explores how Buffalo pharmacist Jim Gatchell’s curiosity, civic spirit, and commitment to preserving local history became a lasting legacy. Through artifacts, artwork, and photographs from the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, the exhibition tells the story of northeastern Wyoming while celebrating the enduring impact one individual can have on preserving a community’s history.

An opening reception will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 29, featuring remarks from Governor Mark Gordon, Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum Executive Director Sylvia Bruner, and Wyoming State Museum Capitol Curator Nathan Doerr. Light refreshments will be served.

Following Gatchell’s death, his family donated his collection to the people of Johnson County with the understanding that a museum would be established to preserve it. Since opening in 1957, the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum has continued that mission. In 2023, the museum received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries, in recognition of its exceptional service to the community.

“Jim Gatchell and his family epitomize one of the best and simplest examples of legacy: good people doing good works,” said Sylvia Bruner, executive director of the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum. “Jim didn’t walk into life with any special advantage or resource. He was a western boy, a pharmacist, and a family man. What wasn’t typical about him was his constant desire to learn from other people, cultures, and events.”

Drawing from the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum’s collections, including objects from Jim Gatchell’s original collection, the exhibition brings the history of northeastern Wyoming to new audiences through the Capitol Gallery. In doing so, it reflects the Gallery’s mission of providing museums across Wyoming with a unique opportunity to share their collections with visitors from across the state and beyond. “This exhibition shares the story of one community while celebrating the work taking place in museums across Wyoming,” said Nathan Doerr, capitol curator of the Wyoming State Museum. “Every museum collection tells a uniquely Wyoming story. Whether large or small, those collections preserve pieces of our shared history and help ensure those stories remain accessible for future generations.”

“A Prescription for History: The Legacy of Jim Gatchell” will be on view from Aug. 29, 2026, through March 12, 2027, in the Capitol Gallery in the Wyoming Capitol. The gallery features changing exhibitions developed in partnership with museums and cultural institutions from across the state.

The Wyoming Capitol is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Extended summer Saturday hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. continue through Sept. 26.

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Aug. 17, 2026 – In celebration of Wyoming’s rich cultural heritage, Governor Mark Gordon will proclaim the month of September as Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month (WAAM) on Aug. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the State Capitol. The public is welcome to attend the proclamation event.

The purpose of WAAM is to provide the public with education and resources about the importance of preserving and protecting Wyoming’s archaeological heritage.

Throughout September, events, activities, and lectures will highlight Wyoming’s archaeology and cultural heritage. To find an event near you, check out the WAAM 2026 Events Calendar.

Gwendolyn Kristy, state coordinator for WAAM, says, “We really hope we reach as much of the public as possible throughout Archaeology Month this year. Wyoming’s cultural heritage is so important to our identities as Wyomingites. We hope programs like the free posters and free events provide an opportunity for all to participate.”

The centerpiece of WAAM is an award-winning poster produced annually. This year’s poster, “Hoofbeats as Heartbeats: Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” celebrates the long and complex relationship between people and horses through Wyoming’s archaeological record as part of our nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations.

The artwork featured on the poster was created by well-known and award-winning Wyoming native Robert Martinez of Riverton. The artwork features a Native American Plainswoman with her horse, overlaid on a historical map of Wyoming, with rock art from around the state also featured.

Dr. William Taylor of CU Boulder, a noted expert on horses in the archaeological record, states, “As we celebrate our nation’s 250-year anniversary in the American West, it’s hard to imagine a more powerful and enduring symbol of our culture and history than horses.”

The poster is available free of charge and may be picked up at the State Historic Preservation Office or Wyoming State Museum in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Avenue in Cheyenne, or in Laramie at the Anthropology Building, located at 12th and Lewis, Room 312. Those wishing to have a poster mailed may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. An $18 shipping charge will apply.

2026 WAAM Events:

Wyoming Archaeology Fair — Saturday, Sept. 12
The largest celebration of WAAM is the Wyoming Archaeology Fair, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site in Laramie. This event is free and open to the public.

The 2026 Fair features more than 30 booths, many offering hands-on activities such as atlatl throwing, flintknapping, pottery making, historic games, ancient food preparation, and learning how to make rock art. Special features at this year’s fair include Plains Indian Sign Language demonstrations, a performance by the Wind River Dancers at 1 p.m., Fort Laramie living history demonstrations, and live music from the Twaynes throughout the day.

Annual WAAM Lecture — Thursday, Sept. 24  
The Wyoming SHPO and the George C. Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology are also hosting their annual WAAM lecture on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 4:10 p.m. at the University of Wyoming. This year’s guest is Dr. Steven Kuhn of the University of Arizona. Dr. Kuhn’s primary research interests revolve around Paleolithic sites in Serbia, Morocco, China and the Levant. More information will be provided about this event as it approaches.

Semiquincentennial Event and Fundraiser — Friday, Sept. 25  
New this year, as part of the Wyoming SHPO’s Semiquincentennial celebrations, is a unique event being held Friday, Sept. 25, in the Capitol Auditorium in Cheyenne. The event, which will include remarks from Governor Mark Gordon, is a fundraiser for 2027 Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month programming and will feature a silent auction. Martinez’s original framed and signed artwork will be among the items auctioned to the public. Other items, including a hafted projectile point made by flintknapper and archaeologist Damian Kirkwood, will also be auctioned.

The program begins at 5:30 p.m. with light hors d’oeuvres and the silent auction, followed by a lecture by Dr. William Taylor. The event will conclude around 7:45 p.m. with the closing of the silent auction. This event is free and open to the public.

We hope you join us in celebrating Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month this September. Learn more at wyoshpo.wyo.gov/index.php/events-training/archaeology-awareness-month. 

Figure 1: The 2026 Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month poster, featuring artwork by Riverton artist Robert Martinez, is freely available to the public. The original framed and signed artwork featured on this poster will be auctioned off on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Wyoming Capitol Auditorium. Figure 2: Learn how to make rock art in a technique known as hand spray, using natural pigments at the 2026 Wyoming Archaeology Fair.

THERMOPOLIS, Wyo. – Aug. 17, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources is pleased to present Pathfinder as part of the 2026 Tunes on the Trail concert series—a second-year initiative that blends live acoustic music with outdoor recreation in Wyoming’s scenic state parks.

The event at Hot Springs State Park will take place on Saturday, Aug. 22. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a hike (optional) followed by a live, 90-minute performance surrounded by nature.

• Hike Start Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Meeting Location for Hike: Pavilion
• Hike Distance and Difficulty: Zoo and Quarry Trails: 2-2.5 miles, easy to moderate terrain
• Performance Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
• Performance Location: Pavilion

This Tunes on the Trail event features Pathfinder, a group of lifelong musicians in a small town trying to do big things. Bandmates Heath McAteer, John May, Dyllon Boyer, and Jason Murdock share a love of music, songwriting, and the beauty of the outdoors. Songwriters John and Heath display a profound love of the outdoors, evident in their lyrics. Jason and Dyllon’s devotion to music and imagery beautifully colors the background of their musical vision. Songs about the mountains and the human condition depict young men grappling with life's best and worst. 

Chris Delay, superintendent of Hot Springs State Park, stated, “We are excited to host Tunes on the Trails at Hot Springs State Park, where we can bring people together and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors with the energy of live music to create something special for our community.”

Admission to Hot Springs State Park is free, and all Tunes on the Trail events are free to attend.

Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets, explore the park, and take in the full experience. If you plan to hike, be sure to bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, appropriate footwear, and anything you might need. In case of inclement weather, updates will be posted on the park's social media channels at @HotSpringsStatePark.

While registration is not mandatory, it is encouraged to help staff plan effectively. Please RSVP on the event's Eventbrite page at bit.ly/TunesAtHotSprings. 

Attending? Tag your photos with #TunesOnTheTrail #WyoParks and #WyoRec. 

Tunes on the Trail is a summer concert series presented by Wyoming State Parks, the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, and the Wyoming Arts Council, all under the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR). The program celebrates Wyoming’s natural and cultural assets while supporting local musicians through the Wyoming Independent Music Initiative (WIMI).

To stay updated on upcoming events, follow us on our Facebook pages: @WyomingArtsCouncil, @WyoRec, and @WyomingStateParks. You can also learn more about the diverse programs offered by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources at wyospcr.wyo.gov.