Bear River State Park
I-80 Exit 6 at east edge of Evanston (307) 789-6547

History
Bear River State Park is located in extreme southwestern Wyoming, within the city limits of Evanston and just south of exit #6 on 1-80, near the Bear River.

Native Americans named the river “Quee-ya-paw” for a tobacco root that grew along its banks. Trappers called it “Bear River,” because of the many bears that frequented the area. Indians and trappers often held rendezvous in this area, including one in 1825 near Burnt Fork, just 50 miles southeast of the park.

The nearly 300 acres that make up Bear River State Park was opened to the public in 1991. The park is connected to the Bear Project, a greenbelt activity offered by the city. Although the Bear Project is not in the state park, it allows visitors to connect easily to downtown Evanston via an interconnecting trail system.

Summer and Winter Trails
Nearly 3 miles of foot trails are within park limits. This includes 1.2 miles of asphalt-surfaced trail and an arched footbridge that crosses the Bear River, allowing access to a natural area. Another 1.7 miles of packed gravel trails are located on the west side of the river.

The foot trails in the park also double as cross-country ski trails in the winter. Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Department and Bear River State Park staff combine forces to provide high quality, cross-country ski trails as an excellent way to dump the “winter blues.” When weather permits, the park road is closed to vehicles and open to skiing and hiking. Numerous other trails are maintained for those who ski and snowshoe.

Reprinted from park brochure.