 Large portions of the canyon were purchased by the state in 1939 and 1953 to be set aside as a wildlife habitat and to protect the fishery.In 1963, Pacific Power and Light Company donated the Rise and the seven acres surrounding it to the city of Lander for use as a park.In 1970, city and state officials working with the state legislature and private citizens created Sinks Canyon State Park, the first park created under the newly formed Wyoming Recreation Commission.