Sinks Canyon State Park

Sinks Canyon State Park was a great half way point for us between Fort Collins, CO and Yellowstone National Park. We went about 300 miles that day (http://mapq.st/PeONbn) arriving in the late afternoon.  We were able to get our campsite (Popo Agie Campground) right away (#22)

 

right along the river.   

  

A couple of tenter's arrived after us so we were glad we had our pick of which tent site we wanted.  The kid's were initiated into the joys of 'holey' toilets right away.  Little did I know that my life for the next 3.5 weeks was going to revolve around 'holies' and 'flushies'. 

After setting up our tent we headed down to the visitor's center.  The kid's took note of all the different skulls they had of the local animals (bear skulls down to bird skulls).

The canyon is named for a unique geologic formation, “The Sinks,” where the river vanishes underground near the mouth of the canyon.  This is where it disappears underground:

We took a walk down the Sinks to Rise Trail 

to see where the river emerges.  

 Rainbow and Brown trout hang out there for food from the tourists ($.25/handful).

In the morning I went for a run (3.07 miles) down to the Sinks Campground on the Canyon Trail Loop and did all of the Popo Agie Nature Trail.  Everyone headed down to the Popo Agie Nature Trail after cleaning up in the river.

 

The kids loved the suspension bridge (it swayed as you walked across) that crossed the river.  

We saw butterflies

snake grass (this is what I called it growing up....it comes apart in sections and you can put it back)

and these cool leaves.

 

We headed out for Yellowstone later that morning.