CASPER-With the peak of summer arrival in July, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department invites residents and visitors alike to cool off and enjoy the outdoors at our Public Access Areas. The Casper Region houses a variety of mid-summer recreation destinations, offering everything from convenient urban boat launches to unique warm-water pond fishing.

To help guide your July outdoor trips, the Game and Fish is highlighting three additional PAAs near Casper, each offering distinct facilities, activities, and opportunities to enjoy Wyoming’s great outdoors and diverse wildlife.

1. North Platte River – Big Muddy Pond Public Access Area

Situated just east of the Natrona/Converse County line, the Big Muddy Pond PAA is an excellent choice for a unique summer day trip.

• What People Can Do: This area stands out for offering a break from standard river fishing. Anglers can enjoy a roughly half-mile hike from the parking lot to Big Muddy Pond. It is a destination for warm-water fishing and seasonal hunting. 
• Facilities Available: The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission holds an easement for a designated parking area on Office of State Lands and Investments land. There are no comfort stations on site, and overnight camping is prohibited.
• Wildlife People Might See: Unlike many other regional access spots, Big Muddy Pond is known for warm-water fish species, making it a place to catch bass and sunfish. Along the river corridor, visitors can also expect to see waterfowl and shorebirds active during the summer months.

2. North Platte River – Robertson Road Public Access Area

For those looking for high-quality recreation right in town, the Robertson Road PAA offers four acres of prime access on the west side of the city of Casper, just off Wyoming Highway 220.

• What People Can Do: This highly accessible spot is a favorite for both local anglers looking for a quick cast and recreational floaters looking for a convenient entry or exit point for a day on the river.
• Facilities Available: This PAA is well-developed to handle summer crowds, offering a spacious parking area, a modern comfort station, and an improved boat ramp. It provides access to approximately 1/16th of a mile of riverbank. To maintain the area's cleanliness and safety, no hunting, trapping, camping, or fires are allowed, and all pets must remain on a leash.
• Wildlife People Might See: The cold, nutrient-rich waters here provide a world-class, year-round fishery where anglers routinely catch rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and brown trout. Visitors can also spot a variety of urban-adjacent wildlife, including white-tailed deer and songbirds along the banks.

3. North Platte River – Rabbit Hill Public Access Area

Located just 1.5 miles west of Glenrock on OSLI land, the Rabbit Hill PAA provides an ideal launch point and a rugged landscape for mid-summer exploration.

• What People Can Do: Rabbit Hill is a multi-use area that caters to a wide array of outdoor interests, including year-round fishing, river floating, hunting, and trapping.
• Facilities Available: Visitors will find an access road leading to a designated parking area, a modern comfort station, and a primitive boat ramp suitable for launching smaller watercraft and rafts. No camping or fires are permitted on the property.
• Wildlife People Might See: The river stretch itself holds top-tier populations of rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout. Additionally, because the PAA sits on and is adjacent to expansive state lands, summer visitors frequently spot mule deer, pronghorn antelope, small game mammals, and various species of nesting waterfowl.

Know Before You Go

Whether you are planning to float, fish, or wildlife-watch, always check specific property boundaries and rules before heading out, and respect surrounding private landowners.

For interactive maps, up-to-date area regulations, and complete details on Public Access Areas managed across the state, visit the Game and Fish Public Access website.