When most people think of Wyoming, visions of the incredible Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks come to mind. And while these places are worth every ounce of hype, fewer people realize that the state parks here are equally incredible. So much so that it’s difficult to pinpoint the best one. Recently, we covered one of the top-rated parks in the nation, Hot Springs State Park. Now we’ll focus on two equally amazing places: Buffalo Bill State Park and Sinks Canyon State Park. See which of these two state parks to visit in Wyoming seems the most appealing to you (although chances are you’ll want to plan your visit to both ASAP!)

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Buffalo Bill State Park, 4192 N Fork Hwy, Cody, WY 82414, USA
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We'll begin with the incredible Buffalo Bill State Park. This exquisite recreation area opened in 1957 and surrounds the Buffalo Bill dam reservoir in Park County, WY. The park derives its name from the infamous William Cody, aka Buffalo Bill, who established his small town of Cody nearby. The park shows off features of Wyoming as iconic and colorful as Buffalo Bill himself.
Andrew Miller/flickr
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The mountains in the area are part of the Rockies, specifically the Absaroka Range. In addition to marveling at the spectacular surrounding views, visitors can enjoy several activities such as boating, hiking and fishing.
Mestdagh/Wikicommons
As seen from the photograph above, the park makes for an enchanted camping spot also. Buffalo Bill State Park has more limited access during the winter and is open consistently from May 1st - October 30th.
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Even for those with just a quick afternoon to spare, the park makes for an ideal picnic area - especially with sandwich spots such as "The Local" nearby. Be sure to look out for the spectacular array of wildlife that inhabits the park as well.

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Sinks Canyon State Park, Sinks Canyon Road, Lander, WY, USA
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And now for our second contender: Sinks Canyon State Park, the most visited in the Lander area. This park is named for its extraordinary geological feature, "The Sinks." This refers to the portion of the Popo Agie River that seems to disappear under the canyon. And the water doesn't reemerge until 1/4 mile later, at an area aptly named "The Rise."
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
What's even more fascinating about these two sections of the river is that it should take only seconds for the water to ascend out of the cavern, but it actually takes nearly 2 hours. Scientists believe this speaks towards the complicated passageways underground.
Mr. ehaus/flickr
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
The water is one of the most gorgeous features of Sinks Canyon, and visitors are often amazed by the sheer volume of fish that can be found here.
Sinks Canyon State Park
Much like Buffalo Bill State Park, Sinks Canyon offers the great outdoor activities of hiking, fishing and world-class climbing. There are even petroglyphs in the park, offering an incredible window into the history of this natural area. And in addition to rustic campsites, the park also offers yurts for visitors who want a truly unique experience.

So now it’s up to you…which of these two state parks to visit in Wyoming do you find the most appealing? With choices like these, you can’t go wrong either way! For more incredible state parks, be sure to check out this article: 9 State Parks In Wyoming That Will Knock Your Socks Off.

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state parks to visit in Wyoming

Beth C. | February 14, 2022

What are some other state parks to visit in Wyoming?

As you learned in the above article, Wyoming boasts an abundance of gorgeous state parks to visit. We've highlighted just two, but there are countless others that are worth exploring. One of our favorites is Bear River State Park. No matter the time of year you visit, you can look forward to all kinds of recreational activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and, of course, camping. Next up on the list would be Boysen State Park. Located in Shoshoni, this park lends itself to exciting water activities. It's here that you'll also find fascinating geological formations to explore, so don't forget to bring your camera. If you're someone who enjoys both the water and the mountains, you can't go wrong with a trip to Curt Gowdy State Park. It's here that you'll find three reservoirs set amidst the beautiful Laramie mountains. It's truly the best of both worlds!

What are the best waterfalls to explore in Wyoming?

One of the best parts about exploring Wyoming is spending time appreciating its wealth of natural wonders. For proof of this, look no further than Yellowstone National Park, perhaps the most famous landmark in all of Wyoming. In addition to the famous geothermal features and geysers, you'll also find some of the best waterfalls in Wyoming. In fact, we've even devised a road trip dedicated to these incredible falls. Some of the destinations along the way include Undine Falls, Wraith Falls, Tower Falls, Upper Falls, Lower Falls, Mystic Falls, Kepler Cascades, Fairy Falls, Lewis Falls, and Moose Falls. For more information about each of these waterfalls, be sure to check out our previous article: Visit 10 Breathtaking Waterfalls On A Memorable Road Trip Through Wyoming.

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