Edness K. Wilkins State Park

If you are planning to take a break this weekend to get away from the hustle-bustle of the hectic routine, try to head towards the Edness K. Wilkins State Park. It is the perfect place for a calming the mind and relaxing your body.

The park is named after Edness Kimball Wilkins, twenty-five year Wyoming legislator. Located on the shore of the North Platte River in Natrona County, Wyoming, just east of the city of Casper, the Edness K. Wilkins State Park is one of the most amazing destinations for camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, rafting and other water sports. You can reach the Edness K. Wilkins State Park via the I-25 to exit 182 and then follow US 20-26.

Because of the North Platte River, it has a rich wildlife with an appreciable number of species of birds, animals and plants. the National Audubon Society has identified over 50 different kinds of nesting birds and a list of over 200 different species of smaller birds. You can come across yellow billed cuckoos, cormorants, bald eagles, golden eagles, sharp shinned hawks and up to 16 species of ducks.

The park is considered as one of the best locations for bird watching. You can spot a large number of nesting ponds and wildlife viewing blinds that have been set up as a result of the cooperative effort of the Wyoming Game & Fish Department and the Wyoming Wildlife Worth the Watching program. A riparian habitat area for water-type is the highlight of this project.

The cottonwood grove, the pond and the sandy beach together form a wonderful combination of serene landscape, resulting in attracting large crowds hoping to camp at the amazing campsites.

The park offers a number of picnic tables, grills, group shelters, playgrounds and a launching ramp for canoes or rafts. It even has a handicapped accessible fishing pier which is one of a kind in the state. There is a three mile path with handicapped accessibility. The pond gets filled with water during the summers, thus making it the perfect pool for swimming.