Tucked In The Western Region Of The US, This Artificial Lake Park Is A Boating Paradise With Fishing And Camping

The western region of the United States offers a variety of landscapes, from towering mountain ranges and expansive deserts to high plateaus and lush rainforests. While Mother Nature has provided natural wonders, human ingenuity has introduced impressive artificial structures as well — Glendo Reservoir, for instance, was originally built for water management, but it has become a popular recreational destination. Your gateway to this manmade body of water is Glendo State Park. Located in southeastern Wyoming, the namesake park attracts outdoor lovers with a wide range of activities, with boating and fishing opportunities galore. Combining 10,000 acres of land with the reservoir's 12,000-acre water surface, the park offers numerous ways to get outdoors and "is very popular with those who enjoy boating and water sports," according to a previous visitor.

Boating at Glendo State Park a major draw, with guests able to cruise on the water using both motorized and non-motorized watercraft. With a number of ramps dotting the shoreline, getting on the water is easy. Beyond its reputation as a boating destination, these waters are also popular for fishing. Widely known as a productive fishery, the reservoir offers fishing opportunities both in open water and through the ice. With several species in the reservoir, you can cast a line from a boat or opt for shoreline fishing.

Glendo State Park boasts 20 campgrounds scattered along the shoreline. You can rough it at tent-only sites or bring your RV for a more comfortable experience. With more than 500 campsites, there's plenty of room to spend the night in the great outdoors. Not only that, but you can camp here any time of the year. You can reach Glendo State Park from Cheyenne, located 1.5 hours away. Those coming from Casper can reach the park in about an hour by car.

When your playground consists of 10,000 acres, you're bound to have multiple campgrounds. Glendo State Park has campgrounds on the east, west, and south shores of the reservoir, with over 500 sites catering to tents and RVs. Camping operates on a first-come, first-served basis from September 15 to May 15, switching to mostly reservation-only during the summer. The Bennet Hill campground is situated on the west side of Glendo Reservoir, with 44 tent and electric sites available. Of the total, seven are group sites that fit up to three camping units. Guests have access to a boat ramp and a courtesy dock — the latter is open from early spring until late July or early August. Other amenities include a picnic shelter, vault toilets, water spigots, and a fish cleaning station.

On the east side across from Bennet Hill is the Indian Point campground. Featuring 21 rustic sites, this campground is better suited for those who want primitive camping with easy water access. Some of the amenities here are two vault toilets, a seasonal boat ramp, and a courtesy dock. Since this is a primitive zone, you can use some of the DIY camping hacks to improve your outdoor adventure, from waterproofing your backpack to making fire starters.

Near the park office on the south shore is Two Moon, the oldest campground in Glendo State Park. This area has around 90 campsites (including sites with 30/50-amp electric hookups, group sites, and three yurts), three of which are ADA-accessible. There are vault toilets, picnic shelters, water spigots, and a playground — but if you want to set afloat, you have to walk toward the marina. Alternatively, you can book a site at Elkhorn, the most secluded campground in the state park.

Glendo Reservoir is the highlight of the state park, offering a variety of water-based recreation to visitors. Make a stop at B&A Marina near the park headquarters to rent your watercraft of choice. If you want a calm paddling trip, check out their selection of kayaks and paddleboards — water pads and tubes are available, too. Meanwhile, those who prefer a more thrilling cruise can opt for a jet ski or a wakeboard. You can also spend the whole day chilling or partying on a pontoon or tritoon. Feel free to bring your own vessel and launch it from six different boat ramps. If you just want to enjoy the shoreline, make your way to the Sandy Beach campground to lounge on the 1.5-mile-long beach and wade in the water.

Anglers can set their rod on the shoreline or take a boat out to fish in deeper water. This is one of Wyoming's prime walleye hotspots, producing the most successful catches between late spring and early summer. Catfish and crappie are abundant, too, as are largemouth bass and perch. Angling doesn't stop in the wintertime, as ice fishing is a popular activity at the reservoir. After securing your catch, head to the fish cleaning station at Bennett Hill to process it. 

Outside the reservoir, there's more to do at Glendo State Park. Birdwatchers can spot more than 200 avian species, hikers and bikers can explore 45-plus miles of trails, and archery enthusiasts can hone their skills at the range. For your Wyoming outdoor adventure, visit the village of Esterbrook, which provides trails, cabins, and camping in the shadow of Laramie Peak. Or, consider exploring Shoshoni, a charming Wyoming town surrounded by natural wonders.