Top Things To Do in Buffalo, Wyoming
There are several unique things to do in Buffalo and Kaycee Wyoming that make Johnson County a great destination for a multiple-day stay. Visitors can spend time in unique shops, enjoy authentic Western hospitality when shopping and dining, be active at our several outdoor recreation areas, and learn about some of the major points in the history of the American West.
1. Downtown Main Street
A great start to a visit to Buffalo, WY begins on Main Street in the heart of downtown. Restaurants like the Busy Bee Cafe and Main Street Diner offer hearty breakfasts to start the day. And there are options for lunch and dinner as well such as Sagewood Cafe and Pie Zanos. Shopping can fill a day with several galleries offering Wyoming-made arts and crafts, and shops offering several gift ideas and great souvenirs.
2. Historic Occidental Hotel & Saloon
The most famous business in downtown Buffalo is the Historic Occidental Hotel & Saloon, which dates back to 1879 and has been offering the finest in Western hospitality for decades. It was such a big draw that its roster of guests includes Butch Cassidy, Teddy Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, and Ernest Hemingway. The hotel rooms today are filled with antiques yet still offer a luxurious modern stay. The saloon is a step back in time with the bullet holes from a few stray shots during the days of the Old West. It still serves stiff drinks and live music, including the year-round Thursday night Bluegrass Jam.
Address: 10 N Main St, Buffalo, WY 82834
3. Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum
Jim Gatchell grew up on a Lakota reservation and opened his pharmacy in Buffalo’s early days around the beginning of the 20th century. His friendships with those who traveled the West – Native Americans, Army scouts, cattle barons, settlers – resulted in his accumulation of an incredible collection of artifacts that today tell the story of early Johnson County and early Wyoming. The museum was a 2023 winner of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
Address: 100 Fort St, Buffalo, WY 82834
4. Bucking Buffalo Supply Co. & Longmire Headquarters
The Bucking Buffalo Supply Co. on Main Street is a must-visit for fans of the Longmire series, and those who are looking to add to their Western-wear wardrobe. Operated by Longmire series author Craig Johnson and his wife, the Bucking Buffalo features signed copies of Johnson’s novels and other exclusive merchandise related to Sheriff Walt Longmire and the Red Pony Bar & Grill.
Address: 28 S Main St, Buffalo, WY 82834
5. Mountain Meadow Wool
The largest full-service mill in the West has a great story as a family operation that emphasizes sustainability and works with local ranchers to produce top-notch wool and wool products. And it’s open for free self-guided tours as well as group tours by reservation with an admission fee. A visit to Buffalo isn’t complete without seeing how this mill operates and learning about its commitment to nature, ethics and sustainability.
Mountain Meadow Wool is family operated, owned by Karen Hostetler and her son, Ben, and dedicated to supporting local ranchers and raising awareness about ranching culture in the American West. Opened in 2007, the mill sells a variety of yarns and wool products. It offers custom processing, custom blending and spinning, as well as 23 different types of yarns that can be hand-dyed in custom colors.
Address: 22 Plains Drive, Buffalo WY, 82834
6. Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site
When it was built in 1866, Fort Phil Kearny was the largest stockaded fort in the West. And with good reason. At this remote outpost, self-sufficiency was vital. The fort was built to protect those using the Bozeman Trail, but it was located on land coveted by the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Lakota. Various skirmishes took place around the fort before it was abandoned by the U.S. military and ultimately burned by the Cheyenne in 1868. Visitors today can walk the grounds of this large fort, the cemetery and even journey to the top of Pilot Knob where the scouts were stationed. From the fort, battle sites for the Fetterman Fight and Wagon Box Fight are short drives.
Address: 528 Wagon Box Rd, Banner, WY 82832
7. Hoofprints of The Past Museum
Many of the important historical events of early Johnson County took place near the city of Kaycee, and the Hoofprints of the Past Museum tells the story of those events. Its collection includes items from the Portuguese Houses archaeological site, Fort Reno, and the Dull Knife Battle. The museum also interprets the story of the Bozeman Trail, the Johnson County Cattle Wars, and the Outlaw Era of Butch Cassidy and the Hole in the Wall gang.
Address: 344 Nolan Avenue, Kaycee, WY 82639
8. Hole in the Wall
There’s a good reason Butch Cassidy and others found their way to the Hole in the Wall. It wasn’t easy to access, making it a good spot to hide out from the law if necessary. Also called Red Wall Country, this beautiful area southwest of Kaycee has lush green pastures and meandering creeks set against cliffs of red stone. It’s still not easy to get to, but worth the trip. The Hoofprints of the Past Museum offers tours and can make arrangements to help visitors get to the area, which also includes a Wyoming Game & Fish management area that is popular with anglers.
Address: 381 Bar-C Rd, Kaycee, WY 82639
9. Clear Creek Trail System
The beauty of Buffalo, Wyoming is its proximity to the Bighorn Mountains and outdoor recreational opportunities. The best example is the Clear Creek Trail System, which like its namesake creek, runs right through downtown Buffalo. The trail meanders along the creek one mile east of downtown and then several miles West, gradually climbing toward the foothills of the Bighorns. Easily accessible from several spots along U.S. Highway 16, the trail is perfect for hiking and biking year-round (yes, fat tire biking is popular in the winter) and snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter.
10. ATV Riding
Just outside of Buffalo are several riding trails for off-road vehicles. For the best experience, check out Ultimate Outdoors, which rents equipment and leads guided ATV and UTV tours into the Bighorn Mountains.
11. Bighorn National Forest
With more than 1 million acres total, the Bighorn National Forest offers dozens of hiking trails. Johnson County includes a wide range of hikes from easy trails into the foothills to challenging hikes to the highest peak of the Bighorns at Cloud Peak, 13,167 feet. There are several highly-rated trails which have light traffic and can be done in a single day or multiple days.
12. Chris LeDoux Park
Kaycee resident Chris LeDoux was a world champion rodeo cowboy and an iconic country music star who died from cancer in 2005 at age 56. A park in downtown Kaycee pays tribute to LeDoux and includes the larger-than-life statue by D. Michael Thomas showing LeDoux on his world championship-winning bareback ride.
Address: 401 Nolan Ave, Kaycee, WY 82639
13. Lake DeSmet
One of the most popular recreational areas near Buffalo, Wyoming is Lake DeSmet, which offers a place for swimming, boating and paddleboarding in the summer. The lake is popular with anglers throughout the year, including ice fishing in the winter. There is a campground as well as the LakeStop RV park.
14. Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway
For those who might want to enjoy the mountain scenery without the hiking, the Cloud Peak Skyway is an easy drive up into the Bighorn Mountains with multiple overlooks and pullouts along the way. The byway also is U.S. Highway 16, and a well-traveled route to Yellowstone National Park. It crests at Powder River Pass, 9,666 feet above sea level, where there is a parking area to enjoy being at the high point of the highway. Additional parking areas offer views at Hospital Hill Interpretive Site and Loaf Mountain Overlook.
15. Crazy Woman Canyon
One of Johnson County’s hidden gems is Crazy Woman Canyon, about 15 minutes south of Buffalo. A gravel road climbs through the canyon alongside the creek and beneath incredible cliff walls. There are several parking areas to get out and enjoy the views while enjoying a picnic lunch or cast a line for some fish. The route is roughly 15 miles up to U.S. Highway 16 but plan on spending an hour or two to really appreciate the area.
16. Buffalo Golf Club
One of Wyoming’s top municipal golf courses, the Buffalo Golf Club offers 18 holes with a setting of stunning mountain views. Established in 1934, the course is known not only for its great layout but its friendly staff and outstanding service.
Address: 500 W. Hart Street, Buffalo, WY 82834
17. Buffalo Theater
Recently renovated through HGTV’s Home Town Kick Start program, the Buffalo Theater offers first-run shows on its two screens Friday through Sunday.
Address: 25 S. Main Street, Buffalo WY, 82834
18. Outlaw Canyon and Cave
Deeper in the Hole in the Wall Country outside of Kaycee are the Outlaw Cave Campground and Outlaw Cave Trail. Located on Bureau of Land Management property, the canyon surrounds the Middle Fork of the Powder River. The campground is a no-fee site. The trail descends 500 feet in about a half-mile to the area of Outlaw Cave, where outlaws did find shelter and stashed their goods.
Address: Unnamed Rd, Kaycee, WY 82639
19. Mountain Plains Heritage PaRK
Just east of Interstate 25 in Buffalo, Mountain Plains Heritage Park sits along the Bozeman Trail. The wide-open park has a loop trail offering great views of the Bighorn Mountains and additional trails to Clear Creek.
Address: Stockyard Road, Buffalo, WY 82834
20. Circle Park
Circle Park, located about 15 miles west of Buffalo, Wyoming offers a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, scenic driving and a number of historic sites. There is a campground with several single-family sites.
21. Hunter Corrals
Hunter Campground is popular with pack and saddle stock users. The campground offers corrals, hitching rails, and an accessible mounting ramp. The Hunter Trailhead provides numerous hiking and horse friendly trails to access front-country, the Cloud Peak Wilderness as well as the Rock Creek Recommended Wilderness Area.
Address: Hunter Creek Rd, Buffalo, WY 82834
22. Healy Reservoir
Healy Reservoir, a fishing and boating access area, is located 3.6 miles north of Buffalo Wyoming off of U.S. Highway 16. The reservoir is approximately 215 acres in size and offers exceptional fishing for yellow perch, tiger musky, largemouth bass, and other species like rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout.
Find More Fun Thing to Do in Buffalo, WY
In addition to exploring these places in Buffalo and Kaycee, Wyoming, check out the events that take place throughout the year, including rodeos, live music, historical programs, and much more. Buffalo is known for its Longmire Days celebration that brings in actors from the popular neo-Western television show, while Kaycee celebrates Chris LeDoux Days each June with live music and a rodeo.
