Located on the western edge of the Black Hills in northeastern Wyoming, Keyhole State Park is a favorite among locals and should be a favorite among visitors as well.
Keyhole’s main attraction is the reservoir, which allows for some 14,720 acres of water recreation. A favorite activity is fishing. There are five boat ramps and plenty of space to enjoy fishing from the shore.
There are a variety of fish including crappie, perch, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and catfish. In 2018, a fisherman caught a state record-breaking freshwater drum in the reservoir – a 22.5-pound behemoth. Fishing licenses are available via the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Boating is available on the lake year-round as long as there’s no ice. However, ice typically starts to cover Keyhole sometime between October and December, thawing around late March to early May. Summertime boating fun is obviously the most ideal, but the side seasons are beautiful as well.
For travelers who prefer to stay on land, there are great views of the reservoir from one of two hiking trails in the park, both of which are fairly easy treks.
