Last year on the way home from our epic summer family road trip, we had a stop in Evanston Wyoming. As we approached out stop for the night (the last stop of our trip, actually) I started doing a little bit of research on things to do in Evanston. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that just across the highway from our campground was Bear River State Park! I had never heard of it before then, but when I saw that they had bison, I knew we had to make a quick stop! Here our all our Bear River State Park tips and if we think it’s worth a stop or not.
what makes Bear River State Park so special
Although I don’t think Bear River State Park is a stop worth the trip in itself, it’s still pretty special. It’s a fairly small park at just over 300 acres. Straddling the Bear River on the edge of Evanston and just over the Utah/Wyoming border, this park was established in 1991.
You won’t get epic views or boiling geysers like other Wyoming parks, but Bear River offers something pretty special. It’s a quiet park where you and your family can find solitude and take in some incredible nature while you’re at it.
Bear River State Park tips
We stopped on a weekday morning last July and pulled into the parking lot with our trailer in two. We had plenty of parking because we had the place to ourselves! Even though Bear River State Park is located right off I-80, it was so quiet and peaceful. After a quick stop in the Visitor Center to pick up Junior Ranger books, we headed over to the wildlife herds. Here are some of our Bear River State Park tips and experiences.
wildlife viewing at Bear River State Park
Bear River State Park is home to small herds of bison and elk that are incredible to see. The bison herd is located in a designated area right next to the Visitor Center. When we asked the the ranger on site he told us that they don’t really intervene with the herds–they basically let them do their own thing throughout their life cycles.
On our visit we drove over to the elk area, but weren’t able to see any. I’m not sure if they were in a further back part of the park that we weren’t able to explore, or what. Thankfully, we had just see a lot of elk at Rocky Mountain National Park.
trails at Bear River State Park
If you love hiking like me, you should know that these paths are pretty easy. This makes them perfect for exploring with kids! Bear River State Park offers about three miles of trails, with a mix of paved walkways and packed gravel paths.
- Paved Trail Loop (about 1.2 miles)
- Gravel and Nature Paths (about 1.7 miles)
- Arched Footbridge (not really a trail, but an easy walk to a photo op)
In the winter, these same trails become cross-country ski and snowshoe paths, and there’s even a sledding hill called Buffalo Run near the Visitor Center! You can also go geocahing year round.
become Junior Rangers at the Visitor Center
As I mentioned, we started our visit with a stop at the Bear River State Park Visitor Center. We always try to pick up Junior Ranger badges first because that way our kids can work on their booklets while we’re exploring. Inside the Visitor Center you’ll find lots of exhibits on Wyoming’s native animals, geological artifacts, and local Native American history. You’ll also find helpful information and souvenirs, of course!
| Plan a virtual field trip and print up a Junior Ranger book at home here! |
is a visit to Bear River State Park worth it?
Bear River State Park is a great stop along your next family vacation, but I definitely don’t feel like it’s a destination in and of itself. Here are some great suggestions for road trips to plan that can include a stop at Bear River State Park:
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
- Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
- Jackson Hole
quick tips for your visit
Here are a few little nuggets of wisdom to make your Bear River State Park trip even better:
- Plan for a day trip. The park is day-use only—no overnight camping here—so make a plan to arrive early and fully embrace the hours you have. Wyoming State Parks is currently exploring options to add camping, check it out here!
- Bring water and snacks. There are several picnic areas spread throughout the park, including a pavilion you can rent!
- Pack binoculars and a camera. Although some wildlife will be very close, binoculars will help you see everything the park has to offer!
- Dress in layers. Wyoming weather can change quickly, especially near dawn and dusk.
Follow along with our family’s adventures on Instagram!
