Interesting Facts about Glendo State Park, Wyoming
Buzzle Staff
Glendo State Park is a part of Wyoming's popular state park system. Located along the I-25, a hundred miles north of Cheyenne, the park is in the southern part of the state.
In this story, we'll take a look at some interesting facts about the Glendo State Park to understand why this state park is a popular destination for residents of Colorado and Wyoming.
Experience This!
Exploring the area around Glendo State Park might lead you to tipi rings and remains of the Spanish Diggings.
One of the best state parks in Wyoming, the Glendo State Park is essentially famous among water sport enthusiasts. Tourists looking for some adventurous recreation should definitely visit this park. Facilities include infrastructures for both day and night use.
Known as one of the best boating parks in the U.S., it has provisions for complete marina services and fishing equipment.
Location
The park is located along Interstate 25, Exit 111. Glendo is only around 3 hours by car from Denver, making it easily accessible. Coloradoans can enjoy fishing, swimming, and other water-based recreational activities without traveling too far afield.
The park has many campsites designed to accommodate both RVs and tents, so spending a weekend at Glendo is a popular weekend getaway choice. Wyoming natives also frequent Glendo State Park, and some have annual day-use passes.
The Wild West
Although the small town of Glendo is today mostly a hub for lake users, the town predates the state park by many years. Images of Glendo in the 1800s can be found online.
In the area surrounding Glendo State Park, it is still possible to get a Wild West feeling. Cattle ranching and wheat cultivation are the primary economic activities in Platte County, Wyoming, and it’s possible to drive for miles on dirt roads in the area without seeing any people.
Sandy Beach
The most popular camping area at Glendo State Park is Sandy Beach. The natural white sand beach mimics an ocean beach experience and is a good area to sunbathe, play volleyball and other beach games, or build sand castles.
Because this area is the only sand beach on the Glendo Reservoir, the two Sandy Beach camping areas are often the most crowded.
Several RV and tent campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and others can be reserved in advance. Drinking water is available from several spigots, and there are handicap-accessible outhouses in the area. Information on the other camp areas is listed at the end of the article.
Activities
Each campsite includes a fire ring and a picnic table, completing a home away from home scenario for Glendo campers. Sitting on the sand around a campfire and roasting marshmallows is a popular nighttime activity.
Alcohol is allowed in limited quantities, although glass containers are prohibited in Glendo State Park. Glendo State Park is also very family-friendly, and even has a play area for kids who tire of beach activities.
Hiking Trails
Water activities aren’t the only options at Wyoming’s Glendo State Park. The park also has miles of trails for those who like to hike and bicycle in nature's rejuvenating company. The longest trail overlooks the dam, while other trails loop through wilderness areas.
One trail follows the Platte River on the downstream side of the dam, so visitors to the park can see the river taking its natural course while engaging in an easy hike.
The Glendo Experience
The town of Glendo, Wyoming has several facilities available for visitors to the state park. A large general store stocks everything campers might need, so there is no danger of being caught without essential supplies.
Large selections of souvenirs and snacks are also available. This allows avid campers to enjoy the feeling of being out in nature without having to worry too much about being far from civilization.
Camp Areas in Glendo State Park
Red Hills and Waters Point
Approximately 45 sites are included in this campsite, which has access to the lake and also a protected bay for tying boats.
Reno Cove
Approximately 30 sites are included in this campsite, which also has close access to the lake and a protected bay.
Custer Cove, Soldier Rock, and Colter Bay
Compared to the first two, this campsite offers good protection from wind. Approximately 40 sites make up this campsite with a fair amount of shade trees.
Whiskey Gulch and Sagebrush
There are a lot of campsites in this area, totaling to almost a hundred. It has good access to the shoreline and a lot of grass. Protected areas for tying boats are few, but protection against the wind is good.
Two Moon
This is the largest camping area in Glendo State Park and some call it the best. Lots of pine trees and good wind protection. However, there's no access to the shoreline on foot.
Elk Horn
Approximately 20 sites make up this tiny camp area. It has access to the shoreline but because of a short boat ramp, receding water levels make this site unusable around early July.
The beautiful natural scenery, inland beach experience, and convenient location make Glendo State Park well worth a visit.