In most states some portion of beaches are public land and all members of the public have a right to use that portion of the beach. The ability to walk along the beach is known as lateral beach access.

But the land between where people can park or walk to the beach and where they can enjoy the beach is often private property, making it difficult to provide access to the public while protecting personal property rights. The ability to reach the beach is known as vertical beach access.

Laws regarding public access to beaches vary from state to state but many states recognize the public trust doctrine, a legal doctrine that certain natural resources such as beaches are owned or held by the government in trust for the public’s use and enjoyment and that the government has an obligation to protect and maintain these resources for the public.

In Wyoming, the concept of public and private land access to beaches is not as prevalent as in coastal states due to its landlocked geography. However, the state does have public access laws that pertain to its rivers and lakes. Wyoming adheres to the public trust doctrine, which maintains that certain natural resources are held in trust by the state for public use and enjoyment. This means that the state has a responsibility to manage and preserve access to these resources for the public. While specific regulations regarding lateral and vertical beach access as known in coastal regions are not directly applicable, Wyoming does provide public access points to state waters, ensuring that the public can enjoy recreational activities. The balance between public access and private property rights is maintained through state statutes and regulations that designate public access points and easements. It's important to note that while the public may have rights to use certain water bodies, the land surrounding these areas may be privately owned, and access through private land requires landowner permission or the existence of a public right-of-way.