Wyoming State Parks’ First Day Hikes to Take Place New Year’s Day 2022

For the 11^th consecutive year, Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails will host popular First Day Hikes on January 1.

First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.  On New Year’s Day, people of all ages will have access to hundreds of free guided hikes organized around the country.

“I can’t think of a better way to start off the New Year!” said Laurel Thompson, Outreach Coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation.  “We invite everyone to come celebrate the occasion outdoors with a fun hike at one of Wyoming’s State Parks and Historic Sites.”

These events will be held at 13 Wyoming State Park and Historic Site locations, and hikers may receive swag items or other promotional items for participating.  Park staff and volunteers will lead the hikes, ranging from 1 to 4.2 miles.  Details about hiking locations, difficulty, length, and terrain are as follows:

⮚     Bear River State Park – meet at Visitor Center at 10 a.m., hike 1.9 miles on easy terrain, snow cover, 307-789-6547

⮚     Boysen State Park – meet at Park Headquarters at 10 a.m., hike 1.5 miles on moderate to intermediate terrain, 307-876-2796

⮚     Buffalo Bill State Park – meet at Hayden Arch Bridge at 9 a.m., hike 4 miles on easy terrain, 307-587-9227

⮚     Curt Gowdy State Park – meet at Visitor Center at 10:30 a.m., hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-632-7946

⮚     Edness K. Wilkins State Park – meet at Platte River Shelter at 10:30 a.m., hike 1-2.5 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-577-5150

⮚     Guernsey State Park – meet at Black Canyon Point Campground at 10 a.m., hike 2.5 miles on moderate to intermediate terrain, 307-836-2334

⮚     Hot Springs State Park – meet at Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce at 10 a.m., hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-864-2176

⮚     Medicine Lodge Archeological Site – meet at Petroglyph Cliff at 10 a.m., hike 1 mile on easy terrain, 307-469-2234

⮚     Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site – Hike One: meet at Main Parking Lot at 1 p.m., hike 1 mile on easy terrain; Hike Two: meet at Main Parking Lot at 2:00PM, hike 4.2 miles on difficult terrain, snow cover, 307-684-7629

⮚     Sinks Canyon State Park – meet at Popo Agie Campground at 1 p.m., hike 1.5 miles on moderate, snow cover, 307-332-6333

⮚     South Pass City State Historic Site – meet at Dance Hall at 1 p.m., hike 2-4 miles on moderate terrain, 307-332-3684

⮚     Trail End State Historic Site – meet at East Side of Kendrick Mansion at 10 a.m., hike 1-2 mile(s) on easy terrain, 307-674-4589

⮚     WY Pioneer Memorial Museum – meet at WY Pioneer Memorial Museum at 10 a.m., hike 1.3-2.6 miles on easy terrain, 307-358-9288

Participants are encouraged to “know before you go” and to prepare for winter weather conditions, including dressing appropriately.  Drinks and refreshments will be provided at most locations, however, participants are also encouraged to bring their own water and snacks.

Caption: Participants enjoy a chilly First Day Hike at Curt Gowdy State Park.

Holiday Lights, Music and Trail Walk

Come celebrate the holiday season with a free synchronized light and music show at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.  

Experience the “Magic of Lights”, 20 displays and a dazzling show of over 10,000 lights, synchronized to favorite holiday songs making it one of the largest light shows in the area.  Running from 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm nightly, November 27 through December 31, it can be viewed for free from the comfort of your own car in the Territorial Prison’s spacious parking lot. Listeners tune in to 99.5 FM. 

On December 10, 11 & 18, from 5 – 8:30 p.m. the public can go for a stroll among the glittering lights and displays during WTP’s Holiday Trail Walk.  Take photos, and shop in our gift shop.  Admission fees apply for this evening event which supports the light show.  $9/adult, $4.50/12-17, Free 11 and under.

“Wyoming State Parks’ mission is to Impact Communities and Enrich Lives.” Site Curator Renee Slider said. “With this gift from us we want this event to enrich the lives of our community by giving joy, making memories for families, and becoming a holiday tradition for years to come.” 

This community event has become a favorite for all ages and is possible thanks to the following sponsors, WTP friends’ group Wyoming Territorial Park Historic Association, Smile Doctors and Fremont Electric. 

For more information call 307-745-6161.  Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, 975 Snowy Range Rd, Laramie.  www.wyomingterritorialprison.com.

Another small-group stakeholder meeting to discuss the Via Ferrata project at Sinks Canyon State Park is scheduled for December 14 at 1 p.m.

This is the third in a series of meetings focused on determining if representatives from different stakeholder groups can work together to find a tentative location for the via ferrata.

A Zoom link to register in advance for the Dec. 14 is available at

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Cgv-AYO-Qpuibm_BcNuh9w

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

When an initial location for the via ferrata is tentatively agreed upon, Wyoming State Parks will again reach out to the public for input and will solicit comments from individuals and other interest groups. When a final route is determined, Wyoming State Parks will consult tribal governments and any other necessary federal or state agencies. 

Wyoming State Parks has been committed to public engagement and transparency throughout the Sinks Canyon Master Plan process and will continue to do so moving forward with the projects proposed during that process. Materials from the Sinks Canyon State Park Master Planning process are also posted on the website. 

To learn more about the Sinks Canyon Master Plan and the Via Ferrata, please visit https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/sinks-canyon-master-plan.

Wyoming State Museum Awarded Grant by Wyoming Wildlife Foundation to Fund Creation of Wildlife Conservation Education Trunks. 

The Wyoming State Museum has been awarded a grant from the Wyoming Wildlife Foundation through its Wyoming Youth for Natural Resources Grant. This generous grant will support the museum in two important ways.  

First, the grant will fund the creation of two separate Wildlife Conservation Education Trunks. These trunks will teach Wyoming students about the importance of Wildlife Conservation, both at home in Wyoming and from across the globe. 

Each trunk is packed with skulls, pelts, claws, antlers, and more of many amazing animals.  Additionally, the trunks include animal commerce items confiscated from poachers and traffickers by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  These trunks are available free of charge to all teachers.

The grant also supports the museum by funding the shipping of these trunks to teachers across the state.  The Wyoming Wildlife Foundation's support means that the trunks can be sent to teachers who would not normally be able to pick up the trunks at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne.  

The Wyoming State Museum thanks the Wyoming Wildlife Foundation for their generous support of our educational mission.  For more information about requesting a trunk for your school, please visit the museum website at https://wyomuseum.wyo.gov.

Happy Holidays from Wyo Parks!

Give an uneXpected gift this holiday season… Give a gift that gets people outdoors and promises new adventures in some of Wyoming’s most spectacular destinations!  This holiday season; give your friends and family “Annual Permit Gift Certificates.”

The gift certificates are redeemable for annual permits, which provide 2022 access to all state parks, historic and archaeological sites and recreation areas.  Gift certificates are available at the Wyoming State Museum Store in Cheyenne.  Orders may also be placed by phone by calling 307-777-6323.

Our annual Early Bird Special is on now, with discounted prices on annual day use permits through February 15.  During the Early Bird sale, resident annual daily use permits are $42 ($48 regular price) and non-resident permits are available for $89 ($96 regular price).

Pre-orders for annual permits are available now through Reserve America, either online at www.wyo-park.com or by calling 877-996-7275.  Customers will receive a permit number at the time of checkout, and can expect permits to ship in early January.

Beginning January 1, permits will be available statewide at the following locations:

Casper: Rocky Mountain Discount Sports, Wagner’s Outdoor Outfitters, Cheyenne: Wyoming State Parks (Museum Gift Store), Cody: Cody Chamber of Commerce, Douglas: Douglas Hardware Hank, Gillette: Rocky Mtn. Discount Sports, Glendo: Howard’s General Store, Guernsey: Howshar Hardware, Lander: One Stop Market, Laramie: West Laramie Fly Store, Pine Haven: Paradise Foods, Riverton: High Country Sporting Goods, Shoshoni: Fast Lane,  Thermopolis:  White Horse Country Store, Torrington: Frontier Mart, Wheatland: Platte County Chamber of Commerce, and Worland: Outdoorsman.

Permits can be also purchased at most State Parks and Historic Sites, but please call ahead as some parks and sites are closed during the winter months.

In the interest in fostering both holiday and community spirit, Buffalo Bill State Park is hosting a first-ever Christmas Light display in the park.

This year’s display has a theme of Cowboy Christmas Lights! Buffalo Bill State Park staff, in conjunction with Cody and local surrounding area businesses, have teamed up to put on this display. Local businesses have adopted campsites to decorate, while the park will decorate the office areas.

Visitors can enjoy this festive display December 13-31 and possibly longer! Lights will be on display from 5 p.m. to 12 p.m. nightly at the Lake Shore Campground located at 4192 North Fork Highway, Cody.

Come for a drive and enjoy the lights! Contact park headquarters for more information at 307-587-9227.

Wyoming Arts Council Holding Listening Sessions in Cheyenne and Laramie 

Every five years the Arts Council completes a new strategic plan in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts. As part of this process, the Arts Council will be gathering feedback through public listening sessions, interviews, and small group meetings.  Additionally, the Arts Council is accepting feedback through an online Google survey.

Schedule for listening sessions:

Cheyenne

Tues., Dec. 7, 5-6:30 p.m. 
Cheyenne
Laramie County Public Library
Willow Room

Laramie

Thurs., Dec. 9, 5 - 6:30pm
University of Wyoming Art Museum
Resource Room (Main Floor)

These events are free and open to the public. Individual artists, community members, grantees, and volunteers, board members, and staff from local arts organizations are invited to attend. Thank you to local partners for hosting these listening sessions. All sessions will follow current Wyoming Health Department guidelines related to COVID-19.

A copy of the Wyoming Arts Council’s current strategic plan is available on the website, www.wyomingartscouncil.org, under the “About” tab. Additional listening sessions around the state are planned for later in the summer and into the fall. Visit the website, follow the Arts Council on social media, or sign up online for email updates for the most up to date information.

For more information, contact Wyoming Arts Council Executive Director Michael Lange at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 307-275-4476.

Photo caption: Listening session in Casper, WY.

Trail End’s “Christmas with the Kendricks” Candlelight Tours

December 17 and 18, 2021 from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

December 19, 2021 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Trail End State Historic Site

400 Clarendon Avenue, Sheridan, Wyoming

$15 per person

The Kendrick Mansion at Trail End State Historic Site guided tours, “Christmas with the Kendricks,” are returning!

The year is 1916, and the Kendrick family is home for the holidays. Experience Christmastime at the Kendrick Mansion, as the family and their staff prepare for holiday festivities. Guests will take guided tours, where they will watch various scenes play out through the home. Actors will be portraying real people and real events!

On December 17 and 18, the tours will depart from the Carriage House every 15 minutes, and participants on these tours must be able to climb stairs.

The tours on December 19 will be handicapped accessible, with the elevator available to those who wish to use it. These tours will begin and end at the mansion, and begin every 15 minutes.

This is a fundraiser for the Trail End Guilds, and tickets are $15 per person. Tour groups will consist of six people or less.

Tickets go on sale December 1^st and should be purchased in advance— they will sell out quickly! Tickets can be bought in person at Trail End State Historic Site from 1:00-4:00 pm daily, or online at www.trailend.org.

For questions and more information, please call the museum at 307-674-4589.

The Kendrick Mansion is a 1913 historic house museum located at 400 Clarendon Avenue, Sheridan, on the grounds of Trail End State Historic Site. Trail End is a division of Wyoming State Parks. 

For more information or directions, visit our website at www.trailend.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/trailend, or call us at 307-674-4589.

Attached photo: photo of maids during Christmas with the Kendricks performance

Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund Awards $277,000

The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund board recently awarded $277,082.25 to 15 grant projects around the state at their recent grant review meeting.

Awards were given to a wide variety of projects, including historic preservation, theatre and music programming, theater equipment, public art, museum exhibits and curation, music and literary educational programming. Below is a complete listing of award by county.

Carbon County

Platte Valley Arts Council, Inc., Platte Valley Public Arts Project, $50,000

Crook County

Hulett Museum and Art Gallery Foundation, Creation of a Permanent Storage Area for Historic Items, $910.25

Johnson County

Worlds of Music, Inc., The Tree of Gernika in Wyoming, $12,000

Laramie County

Cheyenne Civic Center Foundation, Lighting Console Upgrade, $25,259

Natrona County

Nicolaysen Art Museum, Little Door BRUSHster Station, $9,100

Wyoming Archaeological Society, Journal Backlog Project, $6,000

Sheridan County

Sheridan Community Land Trust, Update Black Diamond Historic Trail Brochure, $2,800

Teton County

Art Association of Jackson Hole, Library Renovation and Cataloging, $4,000

Community Center for the Arts, Endowment Campaign, $50,000

Off Square Theatre Company, 2022 Thin Air Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, $12,000

Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum, Historic Cabin Exhibit at the New JHHSM Museum Campus, $50,000

Jackson Hole Writers, 2022 Jackson Hole Writers Conference, $8,000

National Museum of Wildlife Art, “Scenes of Transcendent Beauty: Thomas Moran’s Yellowstone” Exhibit, $12,000

Teton Music School, Teen Programs, $10,013

Teton Raptor Center, Rehabilitation of Historic Hardeman North Barn, $25,000

For more information about the Cultural Trust Fund grant program, visit the website wyoculturaltrust.com or contact Renée Bovée, WCTF Program Coordinator, at 307-777-6312 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..