Check out Wyoming natural beauty and recreational opportunities — for free.

Through the Check Out State Parks program, a library card gives you access to all 12 Wyoming state parks, 28 historic sites, hundreds of miles of trails and even a backpack filled with binoculars, compass and other outdoor recreational supplies. 

Now in its ninth year, the program offers free access to outdoor exploration for patrons statewide, pairing day-use park passes with hands-on learning tools at dozens of local libraries. About a dozen libraries participated last year, but this summer Wyoming State Parks is expanding the program to all 23 counties. 

While some are free, fees to access most state parks cost $7 per day, per vehicle, while historic sites are listed at $4 per day for adults (children are free). The fees are waived under the library program. 

“Wyoming library patrons can check out a parks’ pass the same way they check out a book,” said Angelina Stancampiano, who leads the project through the Wyoming State Parks Interpretive Ranger Program. “Folks were really excited that it’s expanding. Lots of places like the Kemmerer area, that don’t have a lot of parks nearby, have a lot of library branches, so it was nice to make a connection with them.” 

Get Outside With a Library Card

Initially launched through the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2016, the goal is to provide youth and families with the opportunity to visit and experience Wyoming’s state parks, historic sites and trails by allowing them to check out a free day-use pass and an outdoor recreation-themed backpack from their local library. 

“A lot of our sites that have day fees might be inaccessible to some folks if you factor in gas to get there and maybe a lunch,” Stancampiano said. “The cost per person might prevent some families in Wyoming from enjoying our parks. So by offering this program to reduce that economic barrier, we’re making sure that all Wyoming patrons, all Wyoming residents, have the opportunity to get out to our sites, whether it’s learning history from some of our great historic sites or spending a day picnicking with their family.”

Each child-sized backpack is filled with maps, and various pocket guides including geology, weather, birds, trees and wildflowers and wildlife. There’s a magnifying glass, binoculars, compass, bug box and “Leave No Trace” scavenger hunt card for kids to help users of all ages explore state parks and historic sites.

“Seeing this program expand to every corner of the state is incredibly exciting,” said Nick Neylon, deputy director of Wyoming State Parks. “It’s about more than free entry; these backpacks help turn every outing into an opportunity to learn, connect, and enjoy Wyoming’s remarkable public lands together.”

Libraries often have an informational area designated for the passes and backpacks. In the Park County Library’s Cody Branch it is near the main circulation desk. Cody received the park passes in 2023 to go along with Nature Backpacks that the library had already created in 2022, director Karen Horner said. 

There are three Park County Library backpacks in Cody Library, two at the Powell Library and one at the Meeteetse Library.

“The implementation of our Nature Backpacks was very well received and then with the addition of the park passes included in the backpacks, the public is extremely happy and excited to constantly discover this item at the libraries,” Horner said. “I think the opportunity for the public to access passes to the park is an amazing program.

“It is another great resource for the library to provide to the public, creating a wonderful partnership with the State Parks and the library.”

Perfect Pairing

Library cardholders can check out a pass and backpack for up to 14 days, providing free access to any Wyoming state park or historic site for everyone in a single vehicle. The passes are just for day use and don’t include camping fees. They also are available year-round for those sites that remain open through the winter months.

“Wyoming has the highest library visitation in the U.S., and we are grateful for the opportunity to team up with our amazing county systems for this program as well as in-person programs throughout the year,” Stancampiano said. 

Programs include Read to a Ranger in the Laramie and Absaroka districts, with park rangers coming in and reading to children at the library.

 “The Park County Library teams up with the Big Horn District for a little library at Buffalo Bills State Park and the Shoshone District, we team up often with the Fremont County Library to do programs,” Stancampiano said. “Last week, we had a birding game night program with Audubon Rockies.”

The number of backpacks at each library varies, as some want to gauge interest before requesting more. However, between libraries that already had them and those that just received them, Stancampiano estimates 75 backpacks are available in the state. Libraries also have from one to four day passes available based on their visitation. 

“The Cheyenne library said that they already had people calling them to see if they had backpacks in yet so the word had gotten out and their patrons were excited,” Stancampiano said. “Working with libraries was the perfect combination. There’s a survey form and one patron wrote in saying what a great program it was, and that works.”

Other organizations who promote the outdoors are also happy with how the program works. Bekka Mongeau, Wyoming Wildlife Federation communications manager, thinks it has the potential to encourage more people to travel further to access their state parks. 

“Having readily available information about Wyoming’s parks along with supplies and a free pass might be all someone needs to get outside their comfort zone and try something new,” she said. “We’re glad to see this program expanding across the state – these non-book lending programs reduce hurdles to getting out and taking advantage of our public resources. 

“Plus, this program especially helps out families with kids — raising kids is expensive; access to free passes, plus backpacks that include maps, field guides, and activity supplies, all make getting kids outside for an adventure so much more attainable.”

The WWF is starting something similar. It’s launching an outdoor gear library soon in Lander to lower the barrier to entry for people to enjoy their Wyoming sporting heritage. 

“The library will include items like fly fishing rods, binoculars and meat processing equipment — expensive items that folks may have a hard time getting their hands on, especially if they are just getting into hunting and angling,” Mongeau said.

Each of Wyoming’s 23 counties is participating in the State Parks Library Program through its main county library. However, many county systems include multiple branches with several additional locations offering the program. Because availability may vary by branch, patrons are encouraged to contact their local county library for details about current offerings.