Outdoor Recreation Near Casper Wyoming

One of the best parts about life in Casper is the abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities available at any time of year. With plenty of sunshine and stunning natural beauty, you’ll be inspired to get outside and explore. Keep reading to learn about some of the best options the area has to offer. 

Fishing & Hunting

Whether you love the thrill of the hunt or prefer the meditative tranquility of casting a line in a secluded bend of a river, Casper is an ideal base.

Earning recognition as the number one big fish destination by American Angler Magazine, Casper is known for its superb fishing. Opportunities for anglers start right in town, with the North Platte River being fishable all year. Within a short drive from Casper, you’ll find stretches famous for their fishing, such as the “Miracle Mile”, which boasts some of the best fly fishing in the country. About thirty miles southwest of Casper, the Pathfinder and Alcova reservoirs are also popular spots.

Hunters can enjoy millions of acres of public land in the area and draw tags for pronghorn antelope, deer, elk, waterfowl, pheasants, sage grouse, and turkey. 

For both hunting and fishing, Casper has numerous guides and outfitters who can show you the ropes and give you access to exclusive areas and unique experiences.

Hiking & Camping

One of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty around Casper is on foot thanks to the Platte River Trails system. These paved trails run for miles along the riverfront and through town, connecting ten city parks along the way. As you walk, you’ll enjoy views of the Casper skyline and Casper Mountain to the south. 

Just seven miles south of downtown, you can step into nature and find a more challenging hike in Rotary Park. The Garden Creek Waterfall trail, a bit more than a mile, is a moderate hike ideal for smaller kids. For a steeper and longer climb with great views, take the Bridle Trail. 

Further up at the Casper Mountain Trails Center, you can access a network of trails with opportunities for every skill level. 

For a unique hike that combines scenery with paleontology, head to the Cottonwood Creek Dinosaur Trail next to the Alcova Reservoir. You’ll see ancient fossils embedded within sedimentary rocks, right along the trail.

To spend a night under stars undimmed by city lights, reserve a camping site on Casper Mountain or beside one of the area’s reservoirs.  

Biking

As with hiking, you don’t need to leave town to find great biking opportunities. The broad paved surface of the Platte River Trails, described above, is perfect for a ride along the river. To get offroad while still in the city, the Crossroads Park Trail offers easy to moderate mountain biking. 

Up on Casper Mountain at the Casper Mountain Trails Center, you’ll find several mountain biking trails, ranging from the beginner-friendly Muddy Mountain Trail to the Eadsville Trail, which will challenge even experienced riders. 

In the winter, hop on a fat tire bike for a unique trail riding experience on groomed snow. 

Kayaking & Boating

Being on the water is a great way to experience the scenery and stay cool under the summer sun. The North Platte River offers everything from whitewater kayaking to a leisurely float on a tube. You can rent equipment from outfitters in town and choose from short journeys near the city to full-day excursions.

At the Alcova Reservoir, you can explore thousands of acres of water and shoreline in kayaks, motorized boats, or jet skis. 

Golf

Casper is home to two public courses, including the award-winning Three Crowns Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and the 27-hole Casper Municipal Golf Course. Both feature expansive views of the surrounding landscape and restaurants where you can relax and enjoy a drink or a meal when you are finished playing. 

Winter Recreation

Winter weather in Casper is cold, but dry and sunny, a perfect combination for getting outdoors.

The Casper Mountain Trails Center has 33 groomed trails extending 26 miles for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing, including a range of difficulty levels and types of terrain.

For downhill skiing and snowboarding, Hogadon Basin Ski Area boasts 27 trails on the back side of Casper Mountain, just over 20 minutes from downtown. Season passes are an incredible deal and give you access to great skiing close enough to enjoy after work.      

Accessing the Best of the West

The outdoor recreation opportunities available in and around Casper are boundless. There’s a way to get outside and stay active to suit any taste, any time of the year. Combined with all the other amenities of this vibrant and historic city, Casper represents a unique opportunity to enjoy everything that makes the West desirable. 

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