P.O. Box 429
Guernsey, WY 82214
(307) 836-2334 (Office)
(307) 836-2900 (Museum)Park Facilities
Guernsey State Park is located east off I-25, 15 miles on Highway 26, then north
on Highway 317, approximately 1-1/2 miles to the entrance. If you are looking
for a unique campground experience or a large expanse of water perfect for
boating and water-skiing, Guernsey State Park is the place. Located one mile
northwest of the town Guernsey along the North Platte River, the park is filled
with many wonders. Sandstone cliffs overlooking cooling water-filled canyons
will lure you from your campsite. Hiking trails, birdwatching, and photo
opportunities will pull you even further.
Most of the park roads are paved, though some are just graveled, so you might
ask at the entrance fee gates about specific information regarding roads and
campground availability. The park's area consists of high hills with generous
stands of pine and juniper trees. The soil varies from large sandstone cliffs to
sandy beaches and prairie areas. The grass ranges from the sparse to heavy
stands of grass and sagebrush, depending on the soil. The scenic hills are part
of the Hartville Uplift, forming one of the most attractive areas in the
southeastern corner of Wyoming.
Guernsey State Park provides seven campgrounds of which five are around the
lake. Fish Canyon campground is located on the east side of the park off
Lakeshore Drive and allows campers good tenting areas away from the busier
areas. Skyline campground is located at the south end of the park off Skyline
Drive. This campground is an excellent choice for larger R.V.'s. All campgrounds
include restroom facilities, picnic tables, fire grills and drinking water. We
also have a trailer dump station located at the south entrance of Guernsey State
Park. There are a total of 142 campsites within Guernsey State Park.
Brief History
Guernsey State Park provides the finest examples of Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC) work in the Rocky Mountain area. The park has long been known as a haven
for boating, camping, hiking and picnicking, but its real treasure may lie in
the wonderful CCC work that can be seen throughout the park. CCC projects in the
park include hiking trails, roads, bridges, buildings (including the Castle,
Brimmer Point and the Museum) and even a nine-hole golf course (which was
abandoned in the early 1940s).
A dam was built between 1925 and 1927 by the Bureau of Reclamation to create
Lake Guernsey. Although its waters serve primarily for irrigation purposes, they
are also used by area residents and visitors alike for summer swimming, boating
and fishing. The dam itself is an earthen structure with a height of 105 feet
and a length of 560 feet. The original reservoir held 74,000 acre feet of water
and had a surface of 2,045 acres. The power generating plant has an output of
4,800 kilowatts.
Guernsey State Park was created when the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) went
to work in 1933. The CCC's workers completed approximately 85% of the planned
project before they were disbanded in 1936.
Visitors can now enjoy the fruits of these labors, most especially with the
Guernsey Museum. The museum is located on a high cliff, overlooking the water.
The building itself, made of hand hewn timbers and hand forged iron, has been
called one of the finest examples of CCC building and architecture in the United
States. The roof is framed with the timbers and covered with split cedar shakes,
and the floors were formed by pieces of smooth flagstone quarried at
Thermopolis, WY.
The museum offers several displays that were planned by John C. Ewers, then of
the National Park Service. Ewers later became the Senior Ethnologist at the
Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The theme that Ewers used with his
displays was "How man has attempted to adapt himself to the natural environment
in the Guernsey area from prehistoric times to the present." Other buildings in
the park, fashioned in a similar style to that of the museum, include the castle
with its giant fireplace and winding steps to an observation area, and several
picnic shelters.
Things to Do
An extensive network of trails was originally planned and partially built during
the operation of the CCC camps. Ever since that time hiking and trail use has
been a major feature at Guernsey State Park. Approximately ten miles of CCC
trails have been restored on the park. Starting point for the trail system is at
the Brimmer Point turnoff. The trail system consists of several loops which
provide a variety of scenic views of the park, reservoir and the dam. Most of
the trails are moderately physically demanding.
The Oregon Trail was one of the primary routes used by the immigrants' westward
migration across the plains from 1841 to 1869. Today, in many parts of Wyoming,
remnants of The Oregon Trail can still be seen. Some of the best examples are
the "ruts" located just 1/2 mile south of the town of Guernsey, off Highway 26.
Register Cliff located two miles southeast of Guernsey provided travelers with a
"chalkboard" where they placed their names for those who followed. The landmark
still remains much the way it looked to pioneers on wagon trains journeying
West.
Guernsey State Park Annual Photo Contest. Amateur photographers are encouraged
to participate in this annual photo contest.
Annual Mountain Bike Race. A 2.5 mile race for the juniors and a 10 mile race is
available for adults. Stay tuned for race dates.
Annual Guernsey Silt Run. Every year on the Monday after the July 4th weekend
Guernsey Reservoir is drained to provide water for downstream irrigation
demands. By around August 1, the reservoir should have returned to its earlier
content of 36,000 acre feet. |
