Keyhole State Park

The heart of the park is the reservoir held back by a dam on the Belle Fourche River. The impounded water spreads across the low country to form a broad lake with an irregular, inlet filled shoreline, the kind of shape that gives boaters quiet coves to explore and anglers plenty of edge water to work.

The reservoir supports a warm water fishery, and the open expanse is well suited to boating and paddling. Because the park sits away from major towns, the water rarely feels crowded, and it is easy to find a stretch of shoreline to yourself even in the warmer months.

One of the park's signature features is the view. From many points along the shore, the flat topped column of Devils Tower rises on the western horizon, a landmark of the northern plains and the first national monument in the country. Seeing it from across the water at Keyhole gives a sense of the scale of the surrounding country.

The park sits in a transition zone where the grasslands of the high plains give way to the pine covered ridges that build toward the Black Hills. That blend of prairie and forest is part of what makes the setting feel open and expansive, with long sightlines in nearly every direction.

The mix of open water, marshy inlets, grassland, and pine makes Keyhole one of the better birding spots in this corner of the state. The shoreline draws waterfowl and shorebirds, while pelicans and other large water birds pass through on migration, and raptors hunt the surrounding plains.

The variety changes with the seasons, so a spring or fall visit can turn up species moving along the flyway that are absent in high summer. For visitors willing to walk the shoreline quietly with binoculars, the park rewards patience.

Several campground areas are spread around the reservoir, ranging from developed sites to simpler spots closer to the water. The relative isolation of the park means little light pollution, and on clear nights the sky fills with stars, making it a fine place to camp for those who want quiet and darkness.

Because the nearest full services are back in Moorcroft, the park keeps an unhurried, out of the way feel. Many visitors treat it as a restful base for exploring the wider Devils Tower and Black Hills country that surrounds it.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Keyhole State Park, in northeastern Wyoming near the town of Moorcroft, surrounds Keyhole Reservoir, a large lake set amid rolling plains, pine-studded hills, and rock outcrops on the edge of the Black Hills country, with views toward distant Devils Tower. The park is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and wildlife viewing, offering a relaxed water-recreation retreat in the wide-open landscape of northeastern Wyoming. Known for good fishing and abundant birdlife, it is a peaceful spot to enjoy the water and the plains scenery. With its reservoir, camping, and wildlife, Keyhole State Park offers a rewarding outdoor destination in northeastern Wyoming.

You can boat, fish, kayak, paddle, and swim on the reservoir, camp at the lakeside campgrounds, picnic, watch for abundant birdlife and wildlife, and enjoy the peaceful plains-and-hills scenery with distant views toward Devils Tower. The park is known for good fishing, including walleye and other species, and for birdwatching. Its relaxed setting makes it great for a quiet lakeside getaway. With its boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and wildlife viewing, Keyhole State Park offers a rewarding and peaceful water-recreation experience near Moorcroft in northeastern Wyoming.

The reservoir sits in open country where winds can quickly rise and create hazardous waves, so boaters and paddlers should always wear a life jacket, check the forecast, and stay alert to changing conditions, while swimmers should be cautious and watch children closely near and in the water. Summer storms can arrive quickly on the plains, so watch the sky. Bring sun protection for the exposed setting. Being mindful of the wind, weather, and water safety ensures a safe and enjoyable visit to Keyhole State Park near Moorcroft in northeastern Wyoming.

Late spring through early fall is the prime time for boating, fishing, swimming, and camping, when the weather is warm and the lake is at its best, with summer the peak season, while spring and fall offer good fishing and birdwatching in milder weather. Winter is cold and quiet. The open setting can be hot and sunny in midsummer, so bring water and sun protection. For the best combination of warm weather and water recreation, aim for late spring through early fall at Keyhole State Park near Moorcroft in northeastern Wyoming.

Keyhole State Park is in northeastern Wyoming near the town of Moorcroft, within view of and reach of Devils Tower National Monument, near the town of Sundance, Black Hills National Forest, the Vore Buffalo Jump, and within reach of the South Dakota Black Hills. That makes Keyhole State Park a relaxing water-recreation stop to combine with Devils Tower, Black Hills National Forest, and the other attractions of northeastern Wyoming on a visit to the state.