
The reservoir at Keyhole State Park. Photo: Park Facebook page
The spacious Wyoming park surrounds Keyhole Reservoir and 14,720 acres of lake water perfect for all types of recreational use. Swimming, boating, fishing and camping attract visitors from all over.
Keyhole State Park is part of Devils Tower Country and only 20 miles south of the natural rock formation Devils Tower Monument.
Activities
Visitors arrive year round to play on or in the lake. Winter sports such as ice fishing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice skating are popular when swimming and boating are impossible.
Here’s a closer look at the different activities available at Keyhole State Park:
Swimming at Keyhole State Park
A popular summer activity, swimming, is abundant here!
You can swim anywhere on the lake except near the boat ramps and the marina. And there is a separate beach area south of Keyhole Marina, nestled between the marina and Pat’s Point Campground.
There is no fishing allowed in this beach area and no boats are allowed in the sectioned off area of water designated for swimming only.
Boating at Keyhole State Park
Boating is another seasonal activity here since the lake is frozen during the winter months. There are 5 boat ramps available and 4 have docks attached for your convenience.
Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and jet skis are a common site during the warmer months. Boats and other rentals are available at the marina.
Keyhole Marina is a privately owned full service marina located inside of the park. They are open seasonally between May 1 and September 30.
The marina has its own boat ramp, snack bar, general store and 15 campsites (10 of which have electric and water hookups). In addition to boat rentals they also stock groceries, fishing supplies, propane and gifts in their general store.
Fishing at Keyhole State Park
Year round fishing can be enjoyed by all here. Try your hand at boat or shore side fishing during the warm months or bundle up to do some ice fishing when the lake freezes during the Winter.
You’ll need a valid fishing license and you can purchase one at the marina. It’s important to know ahead of time that fishing from the boat docks is prohibited.
Fish found here include: crappie, perch, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, drum and catfish.
Hiking at Keyhole State Park
There are only 2 trails here but they are open year round:
- The Marina Trail – an easy 1.5 mile concrete trail that starts at Park Headquarters and ends at Keyhole Marina.
- The Cottonwood Trail – a moderate trail, 2.8 miles, that starts at Park Headquarters and runs through the Homestead Campground and onto the Cottonwood Campground.
Also, there are 3 horse corrals at Homestead Campground and a trail for riding behind them.
There are also 2 hidden geocaching sites for those interested in a bit of adventure.
Hunting at Keyhole State Park
Hunting is available during season and within the boundary of the area controlled by the Bureau of Reclamation.
You’ll also need a hunting license and to be aware of where you can hunt and with what (shotgun vs bowhunting). Also, note that a lot of the land surrounding the park is privately owned and not well marked.
There’s no hunting allowed within 400 yards of campgrounds, hiking trails or boat ramps. Wildlife that may be caught here are antelope, deer, turkey and waterfowl.
Wildlife at Keyhole State Park
Wildlife and birds are a common sight here! It’s fun to see how many different species you can spot during your visit. Birds especially, with approximately 225 species in the area plus the many more migrating ones that can be sighted in the early Springtime.
Keep an eye out for white pelican, asprey, common yellow-throat and Savannah sparrows during the Summer. And bald eagles, red and white breasted nuthatches and red crossbills during the Winter.
Mule deer, white tailed deer, wild turkeys and antelope are easily sighted during the Spring and Autumn.
Camping at Keyhole State Park
With 10 campgrounds and 286 campsites there’s more than enough space for you to enjoy a peaceful night out under the stars. Most of the campsites are tent only and a few of the campgrounds are primitive style (meaning no flush toilets nearby) so be sure to double check that when making a reservation. There are 32 RV sites with electric and water hookups at Tatanka campground.
Tatanka campground also has 4 log cabins that you can rent. Each cabin has one full-sized bed, bunk beds, a table and 2 chairs and a heater/AC unit. These rustic cabins have no indoor plumbing and no cooking or pets are allowed inside.
A new feature, The Tree House, is available at Cottonwood Campground. If you’ve always dreamed about living in a tree house, here’s your opportunity, at least for a couple of days.
Park Location
Keyhole State Park
22 Marina Road
Moorcroft, WY 82721
Phone: 307.756.3596
Website
Reservations
Park Brochure
Map
Video
Here is a brief YouTube video showcasing several points of interest at Keyhole State Park:
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