You came for the rodeo. That part’s handled. Eight straight days of college cowboys and cowgirls battling it out at the Ford Wyoming Center, with go-rounds, slack sessions, and the short go to round out your week. But CNFR doesn’t run 24/7, and Casper in June is the kind of place where the second you step outside, you remember the rest of Wyoming is waiting.
If you’re looking for things to do in Casper during CNFR, something that isn’t a sports bar or another loop through Eastridge Mall, the answer is 30 miles southwest. Alcova Resort sits on the shores of Alcova Reservoir, and it’s the easiest, best day trip in the region.
Why Alcova Works for CNFR Week
It’s close enough to get back for the night session. About 35 minutes from the Ford Wyoming Center via WY-220. No flights, no logistics. Just gas in the truck and a turn south at the resort sign.
It’s the opposite vibe from the arena. CNFR is loud, packed, and fluorescent, which is part of what makes it great. But Alcova is wide-open water under a big Wyoming sky, with red rock walls and pine ridges around the lake. You can be back in town for dinner and still feel like you took a real trip.
It’s actually outdoor country. Boating, fishing, hiking, swimming, lakeshore relaxing. Alcova covers the whole spread of summer water recreation that Wyoming is known for. For visitors who only see Casper from a parking lot and an arena seat, this is the part of the state they came hoping to see.
What to Do at Alcova Reservoir
Get on the water. Alcova is one of the better reservoirs in central Wyoming for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, or just floating with a cooler. Big enough to spread out, calm enough that beginners don’t get rattled.
Fish. Walleye, rainbow trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass all live in Alcova. Even an hour off the bank with a rod can produce, and a boat day opens up the deeper water below the dam.
Drive Fremont Canyon. Five minutes from the resort, the road drops into one of the most dramatic canyons in the state. Bring a camera and stop at the bridge: granite walls, the North Platte cutting through the bottom, and almost nobody around mid-week.
Hike. The area around the reservoir has accessible trails for anyone who wants to stretch their legs without committing to a whole afternoon. Pathfinder Reservoir is a short drive further if you want to extend the day.
Eat lakeside. Sit by the water, eat something that isn’t a fairgrounds concession, and let the rodeo crowd fade out for a few hours.
How to Get to Alcova Resort from the Ford Wyoming Center
From the Ford Wyoming Center (1 Events Dr, Casper, WY):
- Head west out of Casper
- Take WY-220 W toward Alcova / Independence Rock
- Stay on 220 for about 30 miles
- Watch for Alcova Resort signage at the lake
Roughly 35-40 minutes door to door, depending on town traffic. Cell service drops off in spots, so download your map before you leave.
Time It Around Your CNFR Schedule
CNFR mornings are usually slow, with go-rounds picking up in the afternoon and the short go in the evenings. That gives you real windows to work with:
- Morning escape: Leave Casper around 8 AM, on the water by 9, back by 1 PM for the afternoon session.
- Off-day reset: Use a between-round day for the whole loop: boat in the morning, lunch at the lodge, canyon drive in the late afternoon, back for dinner.
- Sunset run: If you’re done with the day’s events, an evening drive out and dinner on the water beats another night downtown.
The Bigger Picture
Casper is a working town with a real rodeo culture, and CNFR is the highlight of its summer. But Wyoming is a state where the country between the towns is the point. If you’re here for a full week and you don’t get out of Casper at least once, you’re missing what people who actually live here do on a Saturday.
Alcova Resort is the easiest way to fix that without losing your CNFR week, and it’s hands-down one of the best things to do near Casper Wyoming during the rodeo, whether you’re chasing a quiet morning on the lake or a full day trip from Casper into the country.
Plan Your Visit
Check current hours, lake conditions, and rental availability before you head out. Whether you’re looking for a few hours away from the arena or a full reset day, Alcova Resort gives CNFR visitors a real taste of outdoor Wyoming, 35 minutes from the chutes.