Bear River State Park straddles the Bear River on the east side of the city of Evanston, Wyoming.
The park offers picnicking and a visitors center. Wildlife viewing includes a small herd of captive bison and elk. The park is at the eastern terminus of the Bear River Greenway, a trail system developed by the city that connects the park with downtown Evanston. Other hiking opportunities include 1.2 miles (1.9 km) of paved trail, an arched footbridge that crosses the river, and 1.7 miles (2.7 km) of packed gravel trails. Trails are used for cross-country skiing in winter.
Map of Seasonal and Year-Round BLM Public Land User Limitations in the BLM Kemmerer Field Office area in Wyoming. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Brochure of Bear River State Park (SP) in Wyoming. Published by Wyoming State Parks.
Bear River SP
https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/places-to-go/bear-river
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_River_State_Park
Bear River State Park straddles the Bear River on the east side of the city of Evanston, Wyoming.
The park offers picnicking and a visitors center. Wildlife viewing includes a small herd of captive bison and elk. The park is at the eastern terminus of the Bear River Greenway, a trail system developed by the city that connects the park with downtown Evanston. Other hiking opportunities include 1.2 miles (1.9 km) of paved trail, an arched footbridge that crosses the river, and 1.7 miles (2.7 km) of packed gravel trails. Trails are used for cross-country skiing in winter.
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THINGS TO DO AND SEE
west side of the river. The trails also double as ski
and snowshoe trails in the winter. The paved trail
is kept clear of snow as weather and time permits.
We groom the rest of the trails if snow conditions,
equipment and time permit. There is also a sledding
hill called “Buffalo Run” that is located just east of
the Visitor Center.
PARK FEES & PERMITS
Bear River State Park offers ideal areas for
picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, group
activities, bicycling, skiing, rollerblading, remote
control cars and many other activities. The park is
for day use only, no overnight camping is allowed.
Bear River State Park charges no daily use fee.
We do gratefully accept donations to help with
educational, interpretive, and other programs.
PARK RULES
•
The park grounds are open from May 1
through September 30 from 8:00 a.m. 10:00 p.m. From October 1 through April
30, the park is open from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00
p.m.
• Park dumpsters are for park use only. Litter
must be disposed of in provided containers.
• Keep motorized vehicles on designated
roads and trails. A valid driver’s license is
required.
• All pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
• Firearms and fireworks are not allowed.
• Obey posted signs, traffic barriers and
speed limits.
• Digging or leveling of ground is prohibited.
• No glass containers
For a complete listing of park rules, visit park
headquarters.
Abundant wildlife, such as bison
and elk, afford rare viewing
opportunities and give visitors
a taste of wild Wyoming.
Bear River State Park hosts and co-sponsers many
events on the Park such as nature hikes including
our annual First Day Hike on New Year’s Day,
birding watching, Kid’s Extreme Events, guest
speakers, nature programs, Movies in the Park,
and more.
The Annual Bear River Rendezvous, which takes
place on the weekend prior to Labor Day at the far
south end of the park, provides spectators with a
window to Wyoming’s past.
HISTORY
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center provides a rest stop for travelers
on I-80 and is home to numerous wildlife displays
that showcase Wyoming’s impressive array of
wildlife. It also provides visitors with Wyoming
tourist information. Visitor Center hours are
8am-5pm 7 days per week excluding a few winter
holidays. We are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
during winter months.
Bear River State Park is administered by the Division
of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails; Wyoming
Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.
4/19
Elk and Bison
Bear River State Park is home to a small
herd of captive bison and elk, kept for
public viewing. Be sure to pick up a captive animal
brochure at the Visitor Center.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Summer and Winter Trails
There are over 4 miles of non-motorized trails
within the park. This includes 1.2 miles of paved
trail and an arched footbridge that crosses the Bear
River, allowing access to a natural area.
Another 3+ miles of packed gravel trails are on the
Native Americans named the river Quee-ya-paw for
a tobacco root that grew along its banks. Trappers
called it “Bear River” because of the many bears that
frequented the area. Indians and trappers often held
rendezvous in this area, including one in 1825 near
Burnt Fork, just 50 miles southeast of the park.
The 300+ acres that make up Bear River State
Park were opened to the public in 1991. The park
is connected to the BEAR Project, a greenbelt area
offered by the City of Evanston.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Bear River State Park and Visitor Center are located
at 601 Bear River Dr., Evanston, WY 82930 just off
I-80 at Exit 6. Visitor Center Phone 307-789-6540.
Park Phone 307-789-6547.
Wetlands
Paved trail
Trail
Public access
No public access
Fenced area
Visitor Center
Viewing area
Trailer Sanitary Station
Restrooms
Haystack
Trail
Bison
Group
Area
EMERGENCY ..................................................... 911
Park Headquarters ........................... (307) 789-6547
PHONE NUMBERS
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