GUERNSEY – Though a weather system moving through the area last Tuesday had some people cancelling reservations to participate in the Guernsey State Park harvest moon hayride, the evening turned into a great success.
Though there was cloud coverage at the 7 p.m. meeting time at the headquarters gathering point, a rainbow appeared in the east and the rest of the evening went without a hitch, Glendo State Park superintendent Cassie Wells said. Participants were treated to chocolate pumpkin brownies, caramel apple cookies, and s’more Rice Krispies alongside hot apple cider and hot chocolate. The shelter was decorated in fall-themed pumpkins from the Ellis’ Harvest Home in Lingle, and groups posed for photographs at a themed harvest hayride bench.
There were 53 visitors, two volunteers and five park staff who went along for the half-hour ride on two haybale-lined trailers pulled by trucks up Skyline Drive to the Historic Castle at Guernsey State Park. Just as the visitors arrived at the castle, the moon peeked out of the clouds and the sky started clearing. The park had telescopes and a volunteer provided a phone scope for everyone to view the moon. The evening ended after a ride back to headquarters just after 9 p.m.

“We did get to see the partial eclipse, a shooting star and the weather was great. We did have some portable gas fire pits due to the fire ban still in place,” Wells said.
The event has been held in the past, with a ride to Long Canyon campground and roasting smores, but Wells said, “I think the change of route worked well and the castle always has great views…I received a lot of good feedback.”
Wells added she intends to host the event again, so mark your calendars: the harvest moon will occur on Oct. 6th in 2025.
The last scheduled event for the summer/fall season will be held on Friday, Sept. 28 for National Public Lands Day. Beginning at 9 a.m., participants will learn about bats and can get a hands-on learning experience as they help build bat boxes. Call 307-836-2334 for more information on this event.