CASPER-The Wyoming Game and Fish Department encourages outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and anglers to explore the spectacular public spaces available right here in the Casper Region. Through permanent easements and Commission-owned lands, the Game and Fish manages numerous Public Access Areas (PAAs) that connect the public to Wyoming’s world-class wildlife, pristine waters, and diverse natural resources.

To help you plan your next outdoor adventure, the Casper Regional Office is highlighting three unique Public Access Areas that showcase the diverse recreational opportunities, facilities, and wildlife the region has to offer.

1. North Platte River – Sechrist Public Access Area

Located just 16-miles southwest of Casper on Wyoming Highway 220, the Sechrist PAA spans 82-acres and provides over three-quarters of a mile of prime river access.

• What People Can Do: This versatile area is highly popular for quality year-round fishing, river floating, and hunting opportunities.
• Facilities Available: Sechrist is well-equipped for visitors, featuring a designated parking area, a modern comfort station, and an improved boat ramp for launching rafts and drift boats. Notably, it also includes a handicap-accessible fishing pier, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the river. (Note: The access road and parking lot are not plowed in winter, and camping or fires are prohibited).
• Wildlife People Might See: Anglers can cast for exceptional rainbow trout, brown trout, and Snake River cutthroat trout. On land, wildlife watchers and hunters frequently spot pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and mourning doves utilizing the vibrant river corridor.

2. Deer Creek Canyon Public Access Area

For those seeking a more rugged, backcountry experience, the Deer Creek Canyon PAA offers a spectacular change of pace. It is situated approximately 15-miles southwest of Glenrock at the base of the Laramie Range.

• What People Can Do: This area is exclusively designated for pedestrian fishing. Visitors can hike and fish along 3.5-miles of the pristine Deer Creek as it carves through a dramatic, deep canyon.
• Facilities Available: To preserve its wild character, amenities are minimal. The area features a single designated parking area, but there are no comfort stations. The access road is unimproved, meaning rain, mud, and rough terrain often require a four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate safely. Again, for the resource and your safety, please only drive this road using a four-wheel-drive vehicle.  To limit resource damage, during muddy and snowy conditions, please consider recreating at an alternate location.  Always travel only on the designated routes.   Hunting, trapping, camping, and fires are not permitted here.
• Wildlife People Might See: The clear, cold waters of Deer Creek are home to thriving wild rainbow trout. Looking up, visitors are likely to see majestic raptors such as golden eagles and prairie falcons soaring along the canyon cliffs, alongside other native mountain wildlife adapted to the rugged Laramie Range.

3. North Platte River – PacifiCorp Public Access Area

Situated five-miles east of Glenrock off U.S. Highway 20/87 on Tank Farm Road, the PacifiCorp PAA provides nearly a mile of excellent riverbank access along the lower stretches of the North Platte River.

• What People Can Do: PacifiCorp is a fantastic destination for river floating, year-round fishing, and seasonal waterfowl hunting.
• Facilities Available: The site features a well-maintained parking area, a modern comfort station, and an improved boat ramp, making it a perfect launch or take-out spot for a day on the water. Trapping, camping, and fires are prohibited, and the access road is not plowed during the winter months.
• Wildlife People Might See: This stretch of the river is unique for its diverse fishery; alongside rainbow trout, anglers frequently target channel catfish and sauger. The area is also an exceptional hotspot for birdwatchers and hunters looking for seasonal waterfowl, including various species of migrating ducks and geese.

Find More Information Online

Wyoming boasts a vast network of public access lands, each with specific boundaries, rules, and seasonal considerations. Before heading out, the public is highly encouraged to review interactive maps, specific property regulations, and current access statuses on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website.  

Detailed information on these locations, guidelines for respecting private landowners, and a comprehensive directory of all other public properties managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department across the state can be found on our official Public Access Areas webpage.