Casper Area Chamber of Commerce 19
snowmobiling is Beartrap Meadow on Casper Mountain.
There are many warming spots and the trails drop into Mud-
dy Mountain, which allows for backcountry riding.
Off-road vehicles can explore the 200-acre Poison Spider
off-road vehicle area 10 miles west of Casper. Also the Prick-
ly Pear motocross track, which is maintained by the Dirt Rid-
ers (http://www.casperdirtridersmx.com/), is a safe area for
riders of all ages to ride motorcycles and ATVs on a course
with hills, jumps, and tight turns in a designated area.
WATER SPORTS
Although Wyoming is landlocked, Casper offers an array
of water activities. Kayaking, waterskiing, wakeboarding,
sailing, foating and swimming are all easy to do on a hot
Casper summer day.
Casper’s Whitewater Park, which is located on the North
Platte River, was built with the kayaker in mind. There are
four tiers of man-made rock structures that create wild
whitewater spanning across one-half mile of river. This area
is suitable to kayakers of all levels. If kayaking isn’t your
thing, you can also foat down the river in a tube, canoe or
even boogie board. The park and the surrounding area is
perfect for picnicking and also viewing wildlife.
Thirty miles west of Casper is one of Casper’s best gems—
Alcova Lake. Also known as “The Lake,” Alcova offers an
assortment of water sports. Swimming, boating, jet skiing,
sailing, skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing are just a few of
the activities available. Camping at Alcova is also a popu-
lar summer activity. There are campsites available, and the
Lakeside Marina offers a full-service restaurant, ski shop,
convenience store, and gas dock seven days a week.
FISHING, HUNTING, & SHOOTING
Wyoming isn’t called a Sportsman’s (and women’s) paradise
for nothing! Whether it is fshing, hunting, or sport shoot-
ing, all are easily done from Casper.
Casper is known for its world class fshing, with anglers com-
ing from all over the world to cast a line. The North Platte
River fows through Casper and Central Wyoming, and of-
fers fshing through all seasons. Blue-ribbon rainbow, brown,
and cutthroat trout all make their home in these waters.
Besides the Platte, Casper offers two reservoirs, Pathfnder
and Alcova, which also provide fshing around the area. In
the winter months, Pathfnder supplies ice-fsherman both
walleye and trout.
During the hunting season of August through March, or-
ange is the color of the season! Casper furnishes game
for all different kinds of hunters. There are big game op-
portunities with pronghorn antelope, mule deer, whitetail
deer and elk. And if birds are what you are after, the region
boasts goose, duck, grouse, and wild turkey. The region
also presents world class game preserves that offer pheas-
ant, chukar, quail and Hungarian partridge hunts. Hunting
information can be accessed through the Wyoming Game
and Fish Department.
For those just looking to shoot, or for gun afcionados,
you need to check out the Rocky Mountain Machine Gun
and Cannon Shoot, which hosts guns and cannons, both
new and historic, from all over the US. This weekend event
benefts a local charity and offers one-of-a-kind adventure
for all ages. Also, throughout the year are several “rendez-
vous,” where muzzleloaders can show their black powder
skills.
GOLFING
The prairie just might be the most perfect place for a golf
course! Casper offers not one, but four courses to prac-
tice your golfng skills. The Casper Municipal Golf Course,
known as “The Muni,” is one of two public golf courses in
Casper, and Casper’s only 27-hole course. Each nine is dif-
ferent in design—made to challenge golfers of all levels.
There are tree-lined fairways, undulating greens of various
levels, and native rough—all made to test your short game
and putting skills. The course is open from April through
October and provides a golf shop, practice range, putting
and chipping greens, and a clubhouse which is home to the
Caddie Shack Restaurant and Lounge. The greens fee starts
around $16, making golfng affordable for pro and novice
alike.
Three Crowns Golf Course lies on a repurposed oil refn-
ery and is an 18-hole, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Championship