Hole in the Wall, Kaycee, Wyoming – History, Travel Tips & Nearby Attractions
Everything you see in a western movie has its origins in Johnson County Wyoming. Outlaws, rustlers, Indians, cattle barons, and heroic lawmen were all part of the county’s early days from the middle of the 19th century. The Hole in the Wall outside of Kaycee Wyoming is one of many legendary locations of the Old West.
Continue reading to learn some of the history of the Hole in the Wall and Outlaw Canyon, and why it remains a great place to visit today for travelers interested in authentic historical experiences.
The Outlaw Hideout That Became a Legend
The Red Wall feature in the southern Bighorn Mountains forms the eastern wall of a lush valley that was a gathering place for Native Americans before western expansion.
With the Red Wall on the east and the rising plateau on the West, the valley’s remote, secluded location made it a great place for cattle rustlers to store and protect livestock they had managed to take from Cattle Barons as far back as the 1860s.
The area became a lawless haven for outlaws, and by the 1890s, Butch Cassidy’s Hole in the Wall Gang was meeting in the area before and after robberies.
The Hole in the Wall was named for the location of Alex Ghent’s ranch, as Ghent instructed for his mail to be left at the Hole in the Wall. The physical feature itself is where the Red Wall cuts to the east. It was an area from which outlaws could monitor who was coming and going from the valley, and made sure that lawmen couldn’t sneak in.
The area gained notoriety in July of 1897 when cowboys from the CY Ranch in Natrona County and stock detective Joe Lefors confronted suspected rustlers near the Hole in the Wall. The tense confrontation resulted in the death of suspected rustler Bob Smith. And the CY group, known as the Revenge Gang, later returned to drive several hundred head of cattle out of the valley.
A Hidden Stronghold in the Old West
For more than 20 miles, the Red Wall stands 300 to 500 feet above the lush green valley of the Powder River’s Middle Fork. Many other creeks in this area, coming from the western plateau of the southern Bighorn Mountains, provide water that makes the valley perfect for livestock. Between the Red Wall and the mountain canyons, there are only so many access points into the area.
Because of that, the Hole in the Wall became a place where alleged cattle rustlers could homestead, possibly making a go of it with livestock stolen from cattle barons in the 1860s through the early 1890s.
It was here, in the Hall cabin, that Johnson County legend Nate Champion was first confronted and attacked in the Johnson County War.
Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall Gang
The Hole in the Wall gained a reputation in the 19th century as a place where rustlers could hide from the consequences of their actions. It was a lawless area. And as long as rustlers and outlaws didn’t harm the homesteaders and ranchers in the area, they were willing to help the outlaws evade the law. To them, the only harm done was to cattle barons who lived far away and felt all of Wyoming was their open range.
After the Johnson County War reached what was likely an unsatisfying conclusion in the early 1890s, development of the West was underway, and the targets for outlaws were banks and trains carrying currency as well as livestock.
The area became a gathering place for the likes of Harvey Logan (Kid Curry), Tom O’Day, George “Flat Nose” Curry, Elzy Lay, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
The most famous heist of the Hole in the Wall gang was the June 1899 WIlcox train robbery in southern Wyoming. The caper reportedly netted them between $30,000 and $60,000. The gang split up, and some were chased by a posse back to the Hole in the Wall. Having planned their route and horse exchanges, the gang stayed several steps ahead of the law and eluded capture.
Just how much time Butch Cassidy spent in the area is unknown. Outlaws didn’t keep a lot of records, after all. But Cassidy did make multiple trips into Buffalo around that time and signed the Occidental register several times, occasionally with an acquaintance who raced horses there.
Why It Still Matters Today
Red Wall Country hasn’t changed much from the 19th century.
Visitors will drive dusty dirt roads, seeing the Red Wall stretch for miles alongside them while open fields to the west might have horses or cattle grazing. You won’t see many other vehicles or modern structures for miles.
It is an incredible place to visit and visualize what the Outlaw Era was like.
The land these days is a mix of public-private ownership with an emphasis on preserving it as it was, and as it is. The Bureau of Land Management has oversight of the Hole in the Wall itself and the Outlaw Cave Campground to the west. The state of Wyoming and Wyoming Game & Fish Commission have recreational land in the area as well. There are a handful of private working ranches that also work to keep the area undeveloped.
Between the Red Wall and the Outlaw Canyon area to the west, it is an area of unspoiled natural beauty. And an area that speaks to the West’s interesting history.
Things to Do Near Hole in the Wall
Visiting Red Wall Country and the Hole in the Wall can be enjoyed as a leisurely all day experience. Driving either to the Hole in the Wall or Outlaw Canyon requires a vehicle that can handle rough roads and is best done at slow paces to enjoy the scenery. (While the distance from Kaycee to Outlaw Canyon is less than 25 miles, plan on 45 minutes to one hour each way, without stopping for photos.)
The area can be part of a multi-day itinerary with other activities in Buffalo or Kaycee, or it can be part of a unique camping experience on the rim of Outlaw Canyon.
For history buffs, there are museums in Johnson County that tell the story of events that took place around the Hole in the Wall. The Hoofprints of the Past Museum in Kaycee and the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum in Buffalo both have exhibits related to Native American culture, the Johnson County War, the Outlaw Era, and more.
(Side note: the 1876 Dull Knife Battle that was an important skirmish in the Plains Indian Wars took place in the northern end of Red Wall Country. It is on a private ranch, however. The Hoofprints in the Past Museum has information about the battle and when public tours might be available.)
Kaycee, a city of about 250 people, also offers stores, restaurants and lodging accommodations, including motels and campgrounds.
Buffalo, located about 30 minutes north of Kaycee on Interstate 25, has more than 400 hotel rooms, multiple restaurants, an historic Main Street for shopping, and much more.
Both towns are still very much the Old West, with ranches still playing a major role in the local economy. Many folks have ancestors who probably shared a drink with the outlaws or cursed them for their antics. But everyone is welcoming with Wyoming western hospitality.
Hoofprints of the Past Museum
The rich history of southern Johnson County is on display at the Hoofprints of the Past Museum. Formed in 1990, this museum stands as one of the anchors of Kaycee’s main thoroughfare, Nolan Avenue.
Its exhibits cover the area’s Native American presence, the 1834 Portuguese trading fort, the Bozeman Trail, the Dull Knife Fight, the Johnson County War, and of course Butch Cassidy and the Outlaws. Historic guns and other items from the Outlaw Era of the 1890s are on display at the museum.
Hole-in-the-Wall Tour
The Hoofprints of the Past Museum annually presents a tour of the Hole in the Wall, providing access to areas not typically open to the public.
Through its relationship with ranchers in Red Wall Country, the museum is able to arrange for more direct passage to the Hole in the Wall location. A lunch is served outdoors in a picturesque location during the tour. After a stop at the Hole in the Wall Fight site, those who want to climb the 400-foot trail up the Hole in the Wall have the option to do so.
For this tour, led by local historians with insider knowledge, a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle is preferred, and participants can car pool.
It is limited to only about 30 vehicles, and it does sell out, so check the Hoofprints website each winter for details.
Wyoming historian and expert storyteller Clay Gibbons (https://www.instagram.com/claygibbons22/) gives a tour each year on Memorial Day weekend that includes stops along the Sioux War Trail and the Hole in the Wall Fight. Participants are asked to bring lunch and plenty to drink.
Red Wall Country is wide open and light on signage and historical interpretation, so these tours offer the best experiences in finding out the history without fear of trespassing or getting lost.
Hole-in-the-Wall Trailhead & Viewpoint
The Hole in the Wall Trail and Viewpoint is located to the southwest of Kaycee. Because of public access and road conditions, it takes about 90 minutes to travel the 45-mile route one way – something to keep in mind when planning the day.
This scenic area is great for photos, and the hike to the base of the wall is moderate.
Climbing to the top of the Hole in the Wall is not for everyone though. It is a challenging hike with loose rock along the steep trail. The views from the top are incredible, though, allowing visitors to see how the Outlaws could have used this vantage point to evade the law.
outlaw Cave Campground
One of the best rustic camping experiences one can enjoy in Wyoming is at Outlaw Cave Campground.
In addition to the history – an informational kiosk tells the story of Butch Cassidy and the outlaws who roamed the area – the view is spectacular. This Bureau of Land Management area has 12 camping spaces poised on the canyon rim, overlooking the Middle Fork of the Powder River about 500 feet below. A hiking trail goes down to the river for great fishing or just cooling off on a hot day.
There is a vault toilet but no water and no trash collection. Pack out all garbage.
Directions: On Interstate 25, take exit 254 for Kaycee. Head west on Highway 191 for about 1 mile. Turn left onto Highway 190W for about 16 miles to Barnum. Turn left onto Bar C Road (sign for Middle Fork Powder River Management Area). This road travels directly through the headquarters of the Hole-in-the-Wall ranch. Please respect private property rights and all posted signs. Follow it for about 7.8 miles to the campground.
Slip Road
For a change of pace and a different kind of scenic drive (in a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle), the Slip Road is another route from Kaycee to the Bighorn Mountains.
Driving out from Mayoworth, this road features a switchback and steep grades from Red Wall Country to the top of Gardner Mountain. You’ll pass patchy forests, broad meadows, and rock outcrops. With broad landscapes that show little sign of human development, it’s easy to imagine the area as it was when Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid roamed this country.
There is a short trail at Gardner Mountain but even from the road on the ridge, one can view the Powder River Basin to the east and the Bighorn Plateau to the west.
Chris LeDoux Park
He wasn’t an outlaw, but the late Chris LeDoux embodied the Western lifestyle. He won a world championship in bareback riding back in 1976, when the National Finals Rodeo was in Oklahoma, and he released several country music albums, earning praise from other musicians such as Garth Brooks. LeDoux and his family lived in Kaycee. After his death, land in downtown was donated for the creation of Chris LeDoux Park, which includes a larger-than-life statue of LeDoux riding Stormy Weather en route to the world championship.
Invasion Bar & Restaurant
Famous for burgers and bar food, the Invasion Bar & Restaurant is a staple in downtown Kaycee. Located on Nolan Avenue across from the Hoofprints of the Past Museum, the Invasion Bar has been known for delicious food and amazing drinks for more than two decades. It is family friendly and offers breakfast, burgers, and steaks.
Bunkhouse Bakery
The Bunkhouse Bakery in downtown Kaycee does breakfast and lunch in an unusual way, but you can’t complain with the results. Open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Bunkhouse offers one meal for breakfast and one meal for lunch. With that kind of specialization, the food is good and the portions are plentiful. Home-baked items also are available, including pies and cookies.
Cowlick Creamery
Need a coffee drink or a sweet treat? The Cowlick Creamery opened last year on the north end of downtown Kaycee to fill that void with a variety of coffee drinks along with cupcakes, cookies, donuts, and other sweet treats. And the creamery of course offers scooped ice cream.
Kaycee Sinclair & Bunkhouse Motel
One of the most popular stops in all of Kaycee is in fact the SInclair gas station, which also offers rooms in its bunkhouse motel. Located just west of Interstate 25, Kaycee Sinclair offers a full-service deli as well.
Country Inn
The Country Inn is another staple of downtown Kaycee. The comfortable diner-style restaurant offers a wide menu, and the Siesta Motel next door offers lodging for a base near the Hole in the Wall, Hoofprints of the Past Museum, and Chris LeDoux Park.
Where is Hole in the Wall, Wyoming?
Getting to the Hole in the Wall or Outlaw Canyon takes some effort, but it’s worth it. The areas remain unspoiled and difficult to access. They are undeveloped, looking largely the same as they did when Butch Cassidy and others rode their horses through the valley.
Visitors should plan ahead, make sure they know which roads to travel and what the road and weather conditions are like. (A series of rainy days in a wet spring may result in muddy spots days later.) Cell service is not always guaranteed in this area of the country, so it’s good to inform someone of your intended itinerary. Travel with a full tank of gas, plenty of water, extra layers of clothing, and some snacks or a picnic lunch.
Getting There from Kaycee
Hole in the Wall:
Traveling the 45 miles from Kaycee to the Hole in the Wall takes about 90 minutes and includes some gravel roads. It’s wise to have a high-clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive.
From Kaycee, travel south on Interstate 25 or Old Highway 87 to TTT Road. From there it’s about 12 miles south to a right turn at the historic TTT Ranch to stay on TTT Road. In about 2½ miles, the road becomes Lone Bear Road at the Johnson/Natrona counties line. From there, it’s less than a mile to a right turn on Natrona County Road 111. In six miles, one must turn right on Natrona County Road 111A, which is marked with signs to Willow Creek Ranch. In about two miles, the road descends down the Red Wall toward the Willow Creek Ranch headquarters. Signs point the way. After two right turns at the ranch, the road continues into the valley – surrounded by orange cliffs. A right turn for Natrona County Road 105/Buffalo Creek Road, takes one back north nearly 10 miles to the trailhead parking area at Bar C Road.
Outlaw Cave Campground:
Plan on driving about 45 minutes to get to Outlaw Canyon, but the drive is a gorgeous trip back in time.
From Interstate 25 at Kaycee, head west west on Highway 191/Mayoworth for about 1 mile. Turn left onto Highway 190W/Barnum Road and travel about 16 miles to Barnum. The signs will tell you that you’ve reached Red Wall Country, and the change in landscape will reinforce that.
Turn left onto Bar-C Road (following the sign for Middle Fork Powder River Management Area). You will drive with the Red Wall on your left for several miles, eventually coming to the notable Castle Rock and Steamboat Rock formations as you near the headquarters for the Bar-C Ranch. Please respect private property rights and all posted signs.
The road curves to the right shortly after and in all is about 8 miles to the campground. There is a parking area 2 miles past the Bar-C headquarters where some folks park and fish. There is interpretive signage at this location as well. The remaining drive requires a high-clearance four-wheel vehicle.
Access & Navigation Tips
The Hoofprints of the Past Museum does offer a printed map and directions to both locations. In addition, museum staffers will be able to provide advice about road and trail conditions with insight into weather for the areas.
The Bureau of Land Management office in Buffalo can also offer information about both the Hole in the Wall and Outlaw Canyon.
This is an area that has limited cell service. There is a bluff at Outlaw Canyon that has service (and offers views of the Red Wall in the distance), but one shouldn’t rely on technology in this area. And that’s part of the beauty of the Hole in the Wall.
