Revamped Overlook Shelter Takes Trails to New Heights

For decades, the Kiwanis Overlook Shelter stood as a quiet resting point on the River Trail, marking the 0.0-mile location of the Platte River Trails system. Perched at one of the highest points on the trail, it offers uninterrupted views of Casper Mountain and the North Platte River winding below. After years of standing tall, the Overlook Shelter received a facelift in 2024. ​

Thanks to several years of planning and fundraising, the Kiwanis Club of Casper set out to restore the shelter, ensuring it remained a welcoming rest stop for walkers, runners, and cyclists. With reliable expertise from Pope Construction and critical erosion control assistance from the City of Casper, the restoration was completed during the summer of 2024. 

Committed to preserving our outdoor spaces, Platte River Trails contributed $10,000 from generous donors and fundraisers to support the revamped shelter. The results were well worth it—new roofing, fresh paint, and thoughtfully added benches and a table (all ADA-accessible). The intentional, improved shade makes it an even more inviting spot to take in the views. 

The shelter isn’t just a modern amenity though, it stands on historical ground, once traveled by thousands of westward emigrants. Now, it serves as a waypoint for those exploring the outdoors, connecting the past to the present, and community to nature. For those eager to visit, the Kiwanis Overlook Shelter sits just east of Crossroads Park, or a couple of miles west of the soccer fields at Bryan Stock Trail. Stop by, take in the view, and enjoy a piece of Casper’s past and present.