Curt Gowdy State Park, Hiking, National Parks & Monuments, State Parks, United States, Wyoming

Wyoming Hiked: Crystal Reservoir Loop at Curt Gowdy State Park

The Adventuring Heidi

With over thirty-five miles of trails, Curt Gowdy State Park has plenty to offer for hiking, even though it seems like everyone just flocks to Hidden Falls.

Hiking around Crystal Reservoir (one of two reservoirs at Curt Gowdy State Park – the other being Granite Reservoir) is a great loop that offers some flexibility with mileage and with its sun exposure, lends itself to some early spring hiking opportunities when other trails in the region are still beckoning for snowshoes.

I’ve always parked at the Volin Trailhead to accomplish this hike, and is the start/end point I’ll use for describing routes. The straightforward way to circumnavigate Crystal Reservoir is to utilize the Cliffhanger, Canyons, and Crystal Ridge trails for a hike of around 7 miles. It is possible to shorten this by hiking back along the road instead of Crystal Ridge, which cuts about a mile from the overall distance. Two bonus trails that can be added while hiking along Canyons are Blues Cruz (0.6 mile) and Highline (0.7 mile). Both give great views over the reservoir.

I’ve done hikes around Crystal Reservoir twice:

  • March 26, 2023 – On this sub-freezing day I opted for the whole she-bang, adding Blues Cruz and Highline to the Cliffhanger-Canyons-Crystal Ridge route for a 8.5 mile day.
  • March 24, 2024 – My friends Janice and Taylor set out with me on this sunny spring day full of hope… then we encountered the ticks. This cut the plan down a bit, so we did Cliffhanger-Canyons-Highline and then took the road back to the trail for 6.6 miles.
A map of the two routes I have taken. On the left, the 2023 hike with Cliffhanger, Canyons, Blue Cruz, Highline, and Crystal Ridge. On the right, the 2024 hike with Cliffhanger, Canyons, Highline, and the road.

Considerations:

  • Curt Gowdy State Park charges a day use fee. As of 2024, it is $7 for Wyoming residents and $12 for non-residents. There are pay stations at each entrance, including machines that accept credit and debit cards. Wyoming State Parks also have annual pass options available.
  • This hike is very sun exposed and can be very hot in the summer months. Though the trails can be dry-ish in the winter, be prepared for deep snow in sections.
  • Ticks can be very prevalent, especially along the first few miles of Canyons.
  • Once the route around the reservoir starts, it can be rather committing as there are no bail out routes (after all, there’s a body of water in the way!). Make sure you have plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen.
Volin Trailhead at Curt Gowdy State Park
Cliffhanger branches off to the left quickly after leaving the trailhead
Heading up Cliffhanger
Janice and I enjoyed the sunshine of a warm March day
Cliffhanger is aptly name, and there is a small section with exposure
On the narrowest stretch of Cliffhanger. There is a chain one can use to hold on to if needed.
Splitting off onto Canyons and crossing the stream
A last moment of serenity before…
THE TICKS OF 2024. So. Many. Ticks. Janice, Taylor, and I flicked 30 off of each other in a two mile stretch of Canyons, and avoided dozens more hanging off the foliage.
Looking back at Corkscrew Gully on Canyons. There are named features throughout the park.
A rockier part as the trail skirts the narrow part of Crystal Reservoir
Looking across the water to Cliffhanger
I think this hike has the views!
The split with Blues Cruz, a 0.6 mile loop that rejoins Canyons
Looking down the canyon
Winding our way down to the service road
Canyons continues after descending to the service road through this willow tree tunnel
Highline is 0.7 mile long and is well worth it for great views over the reservoir
Janice making her way along Highline
Spring means soft snowpack and post holing, just ask Taylor!
Looking at the dam on Crystal Reservoir from Highline
Distant views towards Twin Mountain and the Vedauwoo area
In March 2023 the snowpack was super deep so the trail was lost under a snowbank for a short stretch. Definitely not the case in 2024!
Starting up Crystal Ridge
Wide open prairie views on Crystal Ridge
Crystal Ridge felt like the trail that would never end when I hiked it, and I was “gifted” with views of my car at the distant trailhead.

Despite the disgusting tick experience of 2024, I still love this hike in Curt Gowdy!

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Published by The Adventuring Heidi

Hi world, I’m Heidi! Adventurer, road trip fanatic, photography geek, waterfall chaser, geyser gazer, Iceland obsessed, Wyoming native, outdoor lover. I travel a lot personally and for work, and love capturing the awesome and awkward moments along the way.

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