Date Nights in Buffalo, WY
With outdoor recreation and the Western lifestyle embedded in the culture of Buffalo Wyoming, the opportunities for memorable dates are many in Johnson County. There are hiking trails with various scenery and difficulty that can be part of a great weekend experience. Of course, camping under the stars is an option. Checking out a laid-back rodeo with local ranchers competing is another. And a visit to Johnson County isn’t complete without a stop for dinner and live music at the Occidental Saloon.
Year-Round Outdoor Activities for Couples
The beautiful Bighorn Mountains provide a great backdrop on the western edge of Johnson County. They offer unparalleled recreation opportunities for a couple that enjoys outdoor activities. And there are multiple ways to explore from hiking to horseback to ATVs or a scenic drive. It’s those kinds of make-your-own adventures that will allow you to have an unforgettable experience in Buffalo.
Scenic Drive
From Buffalo or Kaycee, there are multiple scenic drives in just about every direction, from Great Plains landscapes to unique canyons to memorable mountain vistas. Even better, you can enjoy these areas without feeling like your fighting crowds.
The Cloud Peak Scenic Byway (Highway 16) travels up through the Bighorns and down into Ten Sleep Canyon. Some folks make a day of the drive by going up Highway 16 to Greybull and coming back over the mountains on Highway 14.
Another scenic mountain drive is through the Crazy Woman Canyon, which starts south of Buffalo and comes out on Highway 16 in the mountains. Bring a picnic lunch, a blanket and your camera. You’ll want to share your photos and create memories of dining along a rushing canyon creek.
From Highway 16, Hazelton Road to Slip Road down to Kaycee is another all-day adventure along a mountain ridge and down into the Red Wall country west of Kaycee. You’ll want a high-clearance vehicle for portions of this drive, where you will likely see more moose, pronghorn and sheep than you will people or cars.
To the southwest of Kaycee is Outlaw Canyon, a picturesque spot with a rustic camping area on the canyon rim.
Whichever direction you choose, you will find no shortage of back roads to explore.
Stargazing at Night
Outside of Buffalo, whether in the Mountains or the Plains, sunsets and stargazing are great opportunities for special moments. In a big county with few people, light pollution is very low. Photographers love the opportunity to capture the milky way and stars spinning overhead at night, while anyone can pitch a blanket and count satellites crossing the sky. Grouse Mountain Trailhead just a few miles outside of Buffalo is one easily accessible stop, but deeper in the mountains, the brighter the stars.
Hiking and Camping
Hiking trails in Johnson County cover miles of varying terrain, from the wide, creekside Clear Creek Trail System in Buffalo to the more challenging mountain hikes in the Bighorns. Romantic evening hikes along Clear Creek Trail are a great date night activity, while active couples might want to hike from Circle Park and even find a lakeside location to pitch a tent for the night.
ATV Tours
Couples can also enjoy some great locations with ATV rides or side-by-sides. Crazy Woman Canyon and roads specifically for off-road vehicles are great date getaways. Rentals are available through Ultimate Outdoors, which also has guided rides.
Horseback Rides
For the original horsepower, Blacktooth Excursions and South Fork Mountain Lodge offer horseback rides in the Bighorn Mountains.
Blacktooth offers short rides or longer pack-in trips to remote lakes.
South Fork, located off Highway 16 in the mountains just west of Buffalo, offers afternoon horseback rides and has a great restaurant for public dining. Don’t miss out on ordering some pie.
The Occidental Experience
One of the most popular lodging establishments is the Historic Occidental Hotel & Saloon, which dates back to 1879, making it one of the oldest businesses in the county and one of the oldest hotels in the state.
You can stay in suites where the likes of Teddy Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover and Ernest Hemingway stayed.
Whether you’re staying on the property, you can order dinner and drinks in the historic saloon. While live music is nearly nightly in the summer, the Thursday Night Bluegrass Jam takes place year-round and features award-winning musicians.
Relaxed Fun
Buffalo offers the authentic Western experience with a Wyoming small-town atmosphere. Couples can spend an evening watching local cowboys and cowgirls compete in rodeos at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. History buffs can take a stroll at the Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site and learn about the Plains Indian Wars. Creekside Family Fun Center is a great spot for a fun, casual date with mini golf, ice cream and dinner. And downtown Buffalo has dining options and multiple shops with unique items.
Winter Outdoor Activities for Couples
Buffalo is a great place for couples to visit in the winter, when the pace slows down and crisp clear nights have their own kind of beauty. Walking through town after a fresh snow will leave you thinking you’ve been part of a holiday movie.
Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing
For those interested in outdoor activities such as snowshoeing and cross country skiing, there are locations in Buffalo and in the mountains to pursue both.
Buffalo Golf Club allows skiing in the winter. Clear Creek Trail also is a place where skiers and hikers enjoy the outdoors.
Pole Creek Nordic Ski Area about 22 miles west of Buffalo off Highway 16 has miles of trails through the woods in the Bighorn National Forest.
Downhill Skiing
About an hour west of Buffalo on Highway 16 is Meadowlark Ski Lodge, an alpine ski area with more than a dozen trails on 230 acres. The ski area overlooks a lake and has an impressive lodge.
A Winter Hike
Of course, many romantic walks can be taken through downtown Buffalo or on the Clear Creek Trail in winter.
While the mountains might be covered in snow, low land locations like Mountain Plains Heritage Park or Dry Creek Petrified Tree Area allow for year-round hiking with great views.
Plan Your Next Date Night
No matter what time of year it is, Buffalo is a great spot for a romantic escape in a quiet mountain town with Western hospitality. With hiking trails and other outdoor recreation and the Wyoming pace of enjoying nature and wildlife, Johnson County is an incredible location for a unique experience.
