Unique Places to Stay
Visitors to Johnson County Wyoming have the opportunity to stay in some unique accommodations whether they are looking for intimate hotels, guest ranches, or camping experiences.
In the city of Buffalo, there are three historic properties that date back at least 100 years in or near downtown.
Johnson County also has six guest ranches that offer a variety of experiences, including weeklong immersive vacations.
And, of course, with the Bighorn Mountains nearby, there are many great camping opportunities.
Hotels
Visitors to Johnson County have a choice of brand-name hotels or some unique accommodations in historic, locally-owned and operated hotels. The Occidental, the Boho Buffalo Inn, and the Capitol Hotel all offer a night’s stay in buildings dating back more than a century.
The Occidental Hotel
One of the oldest businesses in Johnson County and one of the oldest lodging establishments in Wyoming is the Historic Occidental Hotel & Saloon. Now an 18-room inn with antique furnishings and modern conveniences, the Occidental has hosted many famous guests over the years. Butch Cassidy signed the guest register multiple times when staying in Buffalo. Teddy Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover slept here. Author Owen Wister included it as the setting for the climactic showdown in The Virginian. Cowboys from around Wyoming – and business travelers and tourists from around the world – went miles out of their way to enjoy the many pleasures and comforts offered at the Occidental.
Now, when you step through the front door of the Historic Occidental Hotel in Buffalo, Wyoming, you are truly stepping back into the Old West and seeing it the way it really was.
Boho Buffalo Inn
Another historic building on Main Street is the Boho Buffalo Inn, which dates back to 1903 and was built as the home of Dr. John Hoard Lott. The home still features the original hand carved oak mantels, handmade glass in the windows, and one of the most beautiful staircases in Wyoming.
The home was converted to a lodging establishment in the middle of the 20th century. It was renovated again in recent years and has seven rooms with sleep-and-snacks style of accommodations.
Historic Capitol Hotel Vacation Suites
The Historic Capitol Hotel also dates back to the late 19th century, welcoming travelers to downtown Buffalo as early as 1894. The many rooms that once lined the upstairs hallway have been converted to three spacious vacation rentals with seating areas, flat-screen TVs, kitchens, dining areas, and private bathrooms with walk-in showers.
Guest Ranches
Johnson County is ranching country, and there are a number of places that give visitors the opportunity to ride horseback and live the life of a cowboy while on vacation. The six guest ranches offer variety from a quiet, relaxing stay to working with livestock and earning a home-cooked meal.
Spear-O-WigWam
High in the Bighorn Mountains and well away from the hustle and bustle is Spear-O-Wigwam guest ranch. Open from the middle of June to the middle of September, Spear-O-Wigwam offers all-inclusive cabin stays, pack trips, and cabin rentals at 8,300 feet of elevation. The 16-acre property includes 11 cabins with a capacity for 57 overnight guests and a uniquely-shaped main lodge with a dining hall, kitchen, and library.
What makes Spear-O-Wigwam unique is its ties to literary giant Ernest Hemingway. The author stayed at the ranch in the summer of 1928. Spending his days fishing and writing, Hemingway wrote his first draft of A Farewell to Arms during his stay. The Hemingway cabin still stands along the creek.
In addition to horseback rides, fishing, and hiking, Spear-O-Wigwam offers rentals on watersports equipment for canoeing and kayaking on Park Reservoir.
Folded Hills Ranch
Located only 12 miles south of Buffalo on Old Highway 87, Folded Hills Ranch offers a relaxing environment after a day of adventures. Guest cabins are available for rental from May to September, and there are four private ponds for fishing.
Folded Hills Ranch is the perfect place to stay while fly fishing, hiking, just passing through, or hanging out in the area for a little while.
Paradise Ranch
Located in the mountains west of Buffalo is one of the oldest guest ranches in Wyoming and the oldest in the county. Paradise Guest Ranch has several well-appointed cabins, great food, and plenty of activities to choose from. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, learn to fly fish or take guided trips, hike, and dance like cowboys and cowgirls. There is a kids program throughout the week and a youth rodeo on Saturday at the end of the week-long stay.
Klondike Ranch
Guests can stay just a short drive from the east end of Crazy Woman Canyon at the Klondike Ranch. A stay at the ranch includes a modern, comfortable cabin and three family-style meals each day.
HF Bar Ranch
Nestled in its own slice of heaven along the North Rock Creek, guests will see why HF Bar Ranch has been called one of the “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.” It has been serving visitors for more than a century and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The cabins have roomy porches with views of the creek or the mountains, and the 7,500-acre property adjoins the Bighorn National Forest.
South Fork Mountain Lodge
In the Bighorn Mountains on Highway 16 west of Buffalo, South Fork Mountain Lodge has everything needed for an exciting vacation. The property is nestled along the South Fork of Clear Creek at an elevation of 7,700 feet with many of the cabins located along the creek.
A stay at South Fork can include expert guided fishing trips for the angler or fly fishing enthusiast with more than 200 lakes and several streams nearby. Or it can include horseback rides in the mountains ranging from two hours to pack trips and drop camps. South Fork also provides a great base location for hiking and backpacking into the Bighorn Mountains.
Camping
For those who like to sleep under the stars, camping in Johnson County can be on another level. The U.S. Forest Service operates campgrounds sprinkled throughout the Bighorn Mountains. The Bureau of Land Management also has public lands, and there are a number of improved campgrounds and RV parks that can elevate your stay beyond the ordinary.
Sheep Mountain Lookout
Perched atop a forested mountain, the historic Sheep Mountain Fire Lookout offers a unique recreation experience as one of few fire lookouts in the region available for overnight rental. Constructed in 1950 by the Civilian Conservation Corps at an elevation of 9,600 feet, the lookout was occupied as a fire lookout until the early 1970s. It is available for rental from June 15 through October 20, weather permitting.
Outlaw Cave Campground
Imagine pitching your tent on the rim of a canyon. You can just that with the 12 primitive, no-fee, first-come, first-served campsites at Outlaw Cave Campground in southwestern Johnson County.
In addition to the beautiful scenery of Outlaw Canyon, this area is rich in history as the place where Butch Cassidy and others hid from law enforcement.
Mikesell-Potts
On the shores of Lake DeSmet, north of Buffalo, a county-owned campground offers low-cost RV spots with extraordinary views. The Mikesell-Potts Recreation Area has more than 60 overnight camping spots — eight with electricity — and are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the honor system.
The campground overlooks the lake on one side with views of the Bighorn Mountains on the other, and offers convenient access for fishing, boating, swimming, and more.
Buffalo KOA Journey
For RV campers, the award-winning Buffalo KOA Journey offers something special with spots right along Clear Creek. In addition to great amenities and a great staff, campers can listen to the trickling creek while enjoying quiet days under the stars.
Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals through AirBnB and VRBO offer dozens of options for those seeking unique stays in Johnson County, from mountain cabins to Main Street lofts.
Plan Your Next Staycation Vacation
Those looking to enjoy a vacation beyond the expected can find accommodations in Johnson County to help them achieve that goal, whether it’s a historic hotel, a guest ranch or a unique camping location. Not only does Johnson County offer a variety of lodging styles but these accommodations can also fit budgets and lifestyles from frugal to luxurious and solo travelers to large families.
