[3] Buffalo Bill Cody was one of the most colorful figures of the American Old West, mostly known for the shows he organized with cowboy themes.

He sold his property to the United States government prior to the construction of Buffalo Bill Dam.

Buffalo Bill worked to bring irrigation and agriculture development in Park County.

[8] The park was established in 1957 and rebuilt in 1993 after an eight-year project to increase the height of the dam by 25 feet (7.6 m).

The original park facilities were flooded when the dam was raised and the reservoir was deepened and widened.