The Jackson Hole Still Works (JHSW) 2022-23 Spirit of Wyoming Vodka Label Art Competition is officially open and Wyoming artists are encouraged to submit their work. This contest is an event that highlights work from artists from all corners of the state. 

JHSW holds an annual Spirit of Wyoming art contest and fundraiser for their Jackson Hole Still Works Vodka label, with all proceeds supporting the arts in Wyoming. This year is the seventh annual contest and the third year partnering with the Wyoming Arts Council. 

The theme for the contest is, “Wyoming.” Winning original artwork will be awarded $2,000 and reproduced on the Jackson Hole Still Works Vodka bottle label for one year.

Eight finalists will be selected by a discerning jury, and their work will be displayed at the Virtual Voting Party via Jackson Hole Still Works social media, Jan. 12 - 13, 2023.  

The grand prize winner will be selected by the voting public. The original artwork will be auctioned off in a silent auction beginning on Jan. 13, 2023 for two weeks, to raise funds for the Wyoming Arts Council.  All artist applicants must be residents of Wyoming or Teton County, Idaho.

The official rules and timeline can be found: http://www.jhstillworks.com/spirit-of-wyoming, or directly on the Call For Entry (CaFE) site at https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=10936.

Photo Caption: 2021/2022 winner Bria Hammock from Cheyenne, WY with her piece "Bruno and Rose"

Join the Wyoming State Museum on Saturday, December 3, for a Family Day dedicated to outer space! From 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. families are invited to enjoy games, activities, crafts, and learning opportunities for all ages.

With partners from University of Wyoming Physics and Astronomy, as well as the NASA Space Grant Consortium, participants will learn all about the mysteries of the universe. Peer into a telescope to see what the sun looks like up close, make your own straw rocket, see real meteorites, learn about moon phases, and discover how UW scientists are using the James Webb Space Telescope to study other galaxies.

Crafts and activities include pinwheels and constellation shadow boxes, a Moon Rock Relay Race, and a flashlight hide and seek game. Barrett Creek Coffee, a new local Coffee trailer, will be at the museum selling hot beverages and snacks that the whole family will love.

Family Days are generously sponsored by SCHEELS in Johnstown, CO. Thanks to their support, these events are always free and open to everyone! Family Day fans can follow the museum’s Facebook and Instagram accounts to stay in the know about upcoming events: @wyomingstatemuseum.

This event is FREE for all ages and will bring attendees closer to the museum’s diverse collections. Families can find the registration link at wyomuseum.wyo.gov/familydays or they can register by phone at 307-630-2573.

The Wyoming State Museum is located in the Barrett Building, 2301 Central Ave, in Cheyenne. Please call 307-630-2573 for more information.

With ice beginning to form on lakes and reservoirs throughout the state, the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails reminds anglers of potential dangers on the ice.

Ice fishing and other ice-related activities are a great way to enjoy Wyoming’s state parks and sites in the winter. However, ice is always in a state of flux, so anglers and other recreationists are reminded that driving any kind of motorized vehicle, and in some instances even walking on the ice, is risky.

While recreating on the ice, people should be aware changing thickness of the ice can pose various risks.

•   Ice less than four inches, Stay Off
•   4” One person with gear
•   5” small group, spread out
•   6” one snowmobile, ATV/UTV
•   9-12” cars
•   12-15” pickups

Pressure ridges can cause thin patches in the ice that cannot support a car, pickup, ATV or possibly human body weight, especially on ice that is only a few days old.

Those on the ice should also be aware of what kind of ice they are walking on. Clear ice is more stable and can hold more weight than cloudy ice.

Anglers are reminded that they are responsible for the cost of removing their vehicle from a lake or reservoir in Wyoming’s State Parks. All activities on the ice pose an inherent risk, remember to practice safety and have dry clothes and emergency supplies in your vehicle.

Please call the respective State Park for up-to-date ice conditions.

Give the gift of adventure this holiday season with a Wyoming State Park Annual Permit Gift Certificate.

A Wyoming State Park Gift Certificate gets people outdoors and promises new adventures in some of Wyoming’s most spectacular destinations!  

The gift certificates are redeemable for annual permits, which provide 2023 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.

Additionally, Wyoming State Park’s 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).

Beginning December 1, permits will be available through Reserve America online at www.wyo-park.com, by phone at 877-996-7275, or in-person at 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.

Enjoy a festive Holiday light display sure to enhance your Christmas spirit at Buffalo Bill State Park, Dec. 3-31.

For the second straight year, visitors can take a short drive through the Lakeshore Campground to view this year’s festive light display. Additionally, Santa himself will be making an appearance at the park office from 3 to 7 p.m. on December 3.        

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.

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.

Join Wyoming Outdoor Recreation for Upcoming Collaborative Meetings

The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation facilitates several outdoor recreation collaboratives convened throughout the state by Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails.

These initiatives bring together local community members, recreation stakeholders, businesses, conservation groups, federal and state agencies, and elected officials to identify and prioritize opportunities for the growth and enhancement of outdoor recreation.

Dates, times, and locations are as follows:

• Natrona County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (NCORC) - November 28th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, location Platte River Trails at The Tate Pumphouse, 1775 W 1st St, Casper. Join virtually at meet.google.com/rie-kacr-gga or join by phone (US) +1 337-435-0332 PIN: ‪207 822 791#
• Northeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (NEWORC - Campbell, Crook, and Weston counties) - December 5th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, virtual only. Join virtually at meet.google.com/egn-yjsi-xkk or join by phone (US)  +1 401-426-4181 PIN: ‪246 120 066#
• Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (BBORC - Big Horn, Hot Springs and Washakie counties) - December 6th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, location Washakie County Library, 801 Big Horn Ave. Suite 100, Worland. Join virtually at meet.google.com/aep-uavx-syn or join by phone (US) +1 260-296-0125 PIN: ‪730 619 196#
• Park County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (PCORC) - December 7th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Northwest College’s Center for Training and Development, 1397 Fort Drum Drive, Powell. Join virtually at meet.google.com/kfz-mzct-dew or join by phone (US) +1 631-621-7609 PIN: ‪699 368 176#

Members of the public are welcome to attend collaborative meetings in-person or virtually when available. There will be a designated time for public comment near the end of each meeting.

Established by recommendation of the 2017 Governor’s Outdoor Recreation Task Force, the Office of Outdoor Recreation aims to diversify Wyoming’s economy by expanding, enhancing, and promoting responsible recreational opportunities through collaboration, outreach, and coordination with stakeholders, landowners, private industry, and public officials. 

Learn more about the Office and future community collaboratives by following us on social media or visiting wyorec.com.

Wyoming State Parks Celebrating 50 years at Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site

Wyoming State Parks is commemorating the 50^th anniversary of Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site with a series of events during 2023. 

Throughout the coming year several programs and special events have been planned with the main celebration event taking place on June 26, 2023.  Event details will be posted at wyoparks.org  and via social media.

In January 1973, what is now known as Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site became part of the Wyoming Recreation Commission (now Wyoming State Parks) through a cooperative agreement with the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.  The Wyoming Recreation Commission was tasked with protecting the archaeological resources within the site and establishing a public recreation area for public enjoyment. 

Over the past 50 years, the park has developed campsites, installed restrooms, improved public horse corrals, and most recently constructed an addition to park headquarters that will become the Medicine Lodge Cultural Experience, opening summer 2023. 

Ongoing interpretation of the site’s cultural resources has helped the public appreciate the importance of protecting these resources for future generations. 

“As we celebrate 50 years of Medicine Lodge as a State Park it’s important to remember that people have been living here for more than 10,000 years”, says Park Superintendent Heather Jolley.  “Medicine Lodge continues to be committed to improving communities and enriching lives”, she adds.

In celebration of 50 years, Medicine Lodge will be hosting a photo contest throughout the year culminating in a 2024 site specific calendar.  Photo winners selected will receive a free copy of the calendar and receive photo credit.  Photographers of all levels are invited to participate in this contest.  Additional calendars will be printed and available for purchase at the park headquarters/gift shop (price TBD).

Photo Contest Rules:

• The contest will run from December 2022 – November 2023 (to allow time for printing). 
• Photos must be submitted by the 5^th of each month.
• Photos submitted should coincide with the month or season the photo is being submitted.
• Photos should not contain any visible faces of people.
• Top 3 finalists will be selected by park staff and posted on social media for public voting (open for 1 week).
• Monthly winner announced by the 15^th of each month.
• Please submit high resolution photos via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• Disclaimer: By submitting a photo, you are agreeing that the photo may be used in the 2024 Medicine Lodge calendar and posted on social media (photo credit will be given).

*****Visitors are encouraged to visit the park throughout the seasons*****

For more information, please contact Park Superintendent Heather Jolley at 307.469.2234 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Tinsel Through Time: Melodies of Christmas Opening Reception

Staff and volunteers of the Historic Governors’ Mansion will host the Opening Reception for the annual Christmas exhibit, Tinsel Through Time, on November 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s theme is ‘Melodies of Christmas’, in which rooms throughout the house will be decorated based off of famous Christmas songs such as “Deck the Halls,” “Joy to the World,” and more.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments and live entertainment will be provided!

Following the Opening Reception, the Mansion will be open to the public until December 24.

Hours of operation will be Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For questions, or information, please call staff at: 307-777-7878.

The Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Commission will meet on November 21st from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The public is invited to attend via Google Meet at: meet.google.com/fzs-rvie-uif or by phone at 1-240-763-0078 PIN: 186 465 748#.

Director Darin Westby will be giving updates regarding the Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, legislative interim bills, and ARPA/CARES/Infrastructure. Other updates regarding the State Museum's Accessions/Deaccessions, The Outdoor Recreation Office, and Hot Springs RFP will also be given.

The Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Commission has advisory responsibility for the agency which involves the planning, acquisition, development and management of all state parks, the State Trails Program, State Recreation Areas, State Historic Sites and Archaeology sites and Outdoor Recreation Office. The Commission also advises the Wyoming State Museum, Wyoming Arts Council, the official State Records Center and Archives, the Office of the State Archaeologist, historical research activities, the State Historic Preservation Office and the Cultural Trust Fund.

Members of the Commission are: President Robert Tyrrell, DDS, Star Valley Ranch; Vice-President Sue Peters, Riverton; Wayne Deahl, Torrington; Julie Greer, Sheridan; Dudley Gardner, Ph.D, Rock Springs; Barbara Anne Greene, Basin; Angela Emery, Casper; and David Bassett, Evanston.

For more information please contact Tatum Soto at 307-777-7496 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..