Casper Rail Trail

In the late 1990's the City of Casper gained approval to access the abandoned Chicago and Northwestern Rail line from downtown Casper to Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park for a trail system through the Railbanking provision of the National Trails System Act. Railbanking abandoned rail corridors for multi-use trails is a growing trend throughout the United States that makes excellent use of former transportation lines. With the use of the corridor for a trail secured, the City proceeded with purchase of the corridor in September of 1999. The corridor is now under the City's control and enjoys the same legal status it did when it was actively used by the Union Pacific Railroad.

The City of Casper turned over the development of the trail to the Platte River Parkway Trust in 2002. The Trust received 1% # 12 and McMurry Foundation funding for grading and conversion of the remaining trestles between Beverly Street and Hat Six Road into pedestrian bridges. That work is nearing completion. The Trust has received partial funding from the Wyoming Department of Transportation for the development of the trail from its current terminus at Veteran's Park to Beverly Street where an underpass is planned to get trail users safely across the street.

Once additional funding is secured, the Trust will complete the underpass and turn to the development of the trail all the way to Edness Kimball Wilkins state park. The ultimate plan for the corridor is to have a 10 foot concrete trail from Veterans Park to Curtis Street, with an adjacent running trail, with pocket parks at specified intervals that will include trees, lighting and benches. The trail from Curtis Street to Edness Kimball Wilkins will be a groomed gravel path that will fit into the natural landscape. Once complete the Casper Rail Trail will be a valued link in the Casper Area Trails System.