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Celebrate National Public Lands Day at a Wyoming State Park, Historic Site or Recreational Area Near You

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Sept. 2, 2025 – This year, National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event, falls on Sept. 27, 2025. The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources is proud to join this national tradition by hosting 15 volunteer opportunities across state parks, historic sites, and recreation areas statewide, allowing communities to care for and celebrate the places that make Wyoming unique.

 

Day-use and entrance fees will be waived at all Wyoming state parks and historic sites on Sept. 27, in honor of this special day. Opportunities to get involved and give back will be provided at the following locations:

 

  • Bear River State Park – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    • Cut back overgrowth of trees along Bear River State Park’s trail system, as well as identify noxious weeds within the park. Dress for the weather and bring water. If you have loppers and trimmers for cutting branches, please bring them. The park will provide some, but quantities are limited. All participants must meet at the Bear River Shelter. The park’s address is 601 Bear River Dr., Evanston, WY 82930. For more information, call (307) 789-6547.

  • Boysen State Park – Sept. 1-28

    • Pick up trash within Boysen State Park throughout the entire month of September. Promote stewardship and responsible recreation by sharing your efforts on Facebook. All participants will be entered to win a local gift card by following these easy steps: One - pick up litter in the park and take a photo of yourself in action. Two - add the photo to the comment section on Boysen State Park's National Public Lands Day Facebook post. Three - help spread the word by liking & sharing the post! The winner will be announced the week following NPLD. The park’s address is 120 Boysen Dr., Shoshoni, WY 82649. For more information, call (307) 876-2796.

  • Buffalo Bill State Park – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    • Plant various trees throughout the park and learn about their history. Meet at the Buffalo Bill State Park headquarters at 8 a.m. The park’s address is 4192 N Fork Hwy, Cody, WY 82414. For more information, call (307) 587-9227.

  • Curt Gowdy State Park – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    • Join park staff and Audubon Society volunteers in finding and cleaning bird boxes throughout the park. Gloves, bags, and tools will be provided. Participants should expect a day of moderate driving and hiking, during which they will find boxes and clean them of nests, sticks, and other debris. Bring water, sunscreen, good walking shoes, snacks (if desired), and appropriate layers. The park’s address is 1264 Granite Springs Rd., Cheyenne, WY 82009. For more information, call (307) 359-4014.

  • Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    • Remove Russian Olives from the park. Gloves will be provided. It is recommended to wear sunscreen and bring a water bottle. Meet at the Platte River Shelter. The park’s address is 8700 East Highway 20/26, Evansville, WY 82636. For more information, call (307) 577-5150.

  • Fort Bridger State Historic Site – Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

    • Meet at the main parking lot within Fort Bridger State Historic Site to assist with applying whitewash to all historic buildings. The park’s address is 37000 I-80BL, Fort Bridger, WY 82933. For more information, call (307) 870-8811.

  • Hot Springs State Park – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    • Meet at the Big Spring parking area and hike about 1.5 miles, cleaning up trash along the roads in the bison pasture. The park’s address is 51 US-20, Thermopolis, WY 82443. For more information, call (307) 864-2176.

  • Keyhole State Park – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    • Meet at the Cliff Shelter in Coulter Bay at 10 a.m. before breaking into teams and picking up trash throughout the park. Gloves, trash bags, and tools will be provided. The park’s address is 22 Marina Rd., Moorcroft, WY 82721. For more information, call (307) 205-3149.

  • Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    • Clean up litter throughout the park and pull weeds in the gardens. Bring your own gloves and meet at the Red Barn. The park’s address is 4800 Rd 52, Hyattville, WY 82428. For more information, call (307) 469-2234.

  • Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site – Saturday, Sept. 20 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

    • Learn about Monarch butterflies and milkweed plants at Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site. All attendees are asked to meet at the Pollinator Garden. The park’s address is 4800 Rd 52, Hyattville, WY 82428. For more information, call (307) 469-2234.

  • Roger Canyon – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    • Join the Roger Canyon Subcommittee of the Southeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative for their biannual cleanup of Roger Canyon. Volunteers will remove general litter, glass, spent ammo, and unneeded fencing. Gloves and supplies are provided. Lunch is provided for those who RSVP here before September 26th. Meet at the first parking area on the East side of the canyon. Bring water and dress accordingly. No bathrooms are available on site. The site’s address is Roger Canyon Rd., Laramie, WY 82072 or 41.3874, -105.4783. For more information, call (330) 697-1885.

  • Seminoe State Park – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to  12 p.m.

    • Meet at the North Red Hills Headquarters at 9 a.m. Walk the shoreline or paddle along and gather trash as you go. If you are paddling, bring your own watercraft. The park’s address is County Road 351, Sinclair, WY 82334. For more information, call (307) 275-0022.

  • Sinks Canyon State Park – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    • Protect the canyon from invasive weeds; find and remove as many weeds as you can and be rewarded for your efforts! The weed hunt station will be set up at the Visitor Center from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Return your pulled weeds and receive a prize. Weed ID cards and trash bags will be provided, along with a limited supply of adult-sized gloves and shovels. Bring your own gloves and shovels/trowels if you have them. The park’s address is 3079 Sinks Canyon Rd., Lander, WY 82520. For more information, call (307) 332-6333.

  • South Pass City State Historic Site – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    • "Run the Red" is a trail running event that raises awareness of open space in the Red Desert. Watch and cheer on the participants. The site’s address is 125 S Pass Main St., South Pass City, WY 82520. For more information, call (307) 332-3684.

  • Wyoming Territorial Prison – Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

    • Details are still being finalized, but participants can expect to assist park staff with staining and painting projects, as well as trash cleanup, among other tasks. PPE and tools will be provided. Volunteers should bring sturdy shoes, clothes they are willing to get stained, water, and snacks if desired. The park’s address is 975 Snowy Range Rd., Laramie, WY 82070. For more information, call (307) 359-4014. 

 

These events are coordinated in partnership by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, Wyoming State Parks, and the Wyoming State Trails Program, all within the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR). Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is a nationwide initiative led by the National Environmental Education Foundation.  This annual celebration brings out hundreds of thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country. NPLD is also a “fee-free day,” one of only five days a year when entrance fees are waived at national parks and other public lands.

 

Learn more about each National Public Lands Day event by viewing individual parks and sites on social media. You can also learn more about SPCR at wyospcr.wyo.gov. 

 

Figure 1.jpg

Figure 1: Volunteers clean up recreation areas at Keyhole State Park during the 2024 National Public Lands Day events.