Where Summer Lives it Up!
Welcome!
One of Wyoming’s best-kept secrets, the Buffalo Bill Reservoir nestles into the Northwestern mountains where we make our summer home away from home April through October. A great outdoor escape!
Cold waters run deep here, coming straight from the combined run-off of the mountains that surround the North and South fork of the Shoshone Rivers, The east side of Yellowstone Park, and a wilderness area called the ‘Thorofare’ on the south. Nature’s true wild country where temperamental weather demands respect and gladly gets it from those of us who have witnessed its mighty wave pounding furry… When the Storms Subside the calm and glassy waters are amazing to witness, surrounded by Carter, Sheep, Rattlesnake & Cedar Mountains.
Our History
1948
First, there were four; Martin Littleton, Roy Barnes, Fred Burgener & Johnny Furguson sitting around talking about how nice it would be to have a dock to tie their boats to at the reservoir. It began very humbly using a barn door, 4 barrels, and a bucket of tools. These four, with thought and determination, made their first floating platform. Even though many thought them to be fools. With the first dock afloat they invited some friends for a picnic and so began what is now fondly known as the Big Horn Basin Boat Club.
The history of Buffalo Bill Reservoir and "Cody Country" is rooted in the rich lore of the old West. Buffalo Bill State Park was named for Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, famous as a wild west showman, promoter, and developer. He first came to the region in the 1870s as a guide for a survey expedition and spent the next 20 years guiding and sponsoring hunting parties in the area. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was influential in bringing irrigation and agricultural development into the area and founded the town that bears his name. Some of the land now occupied by Buffalo Bill State Park was originally owned by Colonel Cody and was acquired from him by the federal government to implement the reservoir project. Work began on the dam in 1905. When completed in 1910 it was the highest dam in the world at 325 feet. Buffalo Bill State Park was established in 1957 and provided recreational areas and facilities along the original shoreline. In 1993 an eight-year project was completed which raised the crest of the dam 25 feet and increased the reservoir storage capacity. The enlarged reservoir inundated the former recreation areas which required the removal of the old park facilities. Buffalo Bill State Park has been redeveloped as part of the project.