Kaycee is a place for legendary outlaws and legendary heroes.
With the origin of its name coming from the KC Ranch brand, the town has a long history, making it an important place in the development of Wyoming and the West. From the Portuguese Fort to the Bozeman Trail and Fort Reno, the area was part of an important thoroughfare since the earliest times.
The KC Ranch was the site of the first major battle of the Johnson County Cattle War of April 1892. It was here that small-time ranchers Nick Ray and Nate Champion were surrounded in a cabin by a vigilante group of 50 hired gunmen and ranch owners, known to history as the Invaders. Ray was shot early in the fight, but Champion became a legend for holding off the Invaders alone for several hours before he was smoked out of the cabin and shot. The standoff allowed word of the Invasion to spread, and a large opposition group formed to stop the Invaders from killing more people and taking out the county government as planned.
Kaycee also is the gateway to Red Wall Country, where outlaws such as the Hole in the Wall Gang hid from authorities. Wild Bunch outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid spent time at the Hole in the Wall, as did folks like Flat Nose George Currie, Tom O’Day, and the notorious Harvey Logan.
Another Kaycee legend falling in the hero category is Chris LeDoux, the 1976 world bareback riding champion at the National Finals Rodeo and an award-winning and influential country music star. LeDoux’s life was cut short by cancer. He is remembered with a larger-than-life sculpture in Chris LeDoux Park.
The history of Kaycee is preserved at the Hoofprints of the Past Museum, where the collection features items from the days of Native Americans through modern times.
Kaycee is located along Interstate 25 about 45 minutes south of Buffalo and less than an hour north of Casper.
The Johnson County Tourism Association produced banners featuring 10 historical figures who were part of Kaycee’s early development in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Those banners will be on display along Nolan Avenue at times during the year.
125 Nolan Avenue
320 Nolan Avenue
343 Nolan Avenue
346 Nolan Avenue
101 Old Barnum Road
42 Mayoworth Road
This museum is housed in a historic 1897 building in downtown Kaycee. It has artifacts and displays from Native Americans, an 1834 Fort Antonio Trading Post, the Bozeman Trail, Fort Reno, the Johnson County War, Hole in the Wall Outlaws, and more. Museum grounds also include the original Kaycee school, jail, a homestead cabin built from Frewen Castle logs, a century old chuckwagon, and more. The museum also offers annual tours and visitor information.
344 Nolan Avenue, Kaycee WY
Famous country music singer and rodeo champion Chris Ledoux lived on a ranch outside Kaycee before and after he was famous. He died in 2005 at age 56 from cancer, and a memorial park in downtown Kaycee was built in his honor.
401 Nolan Avenue, Kaycee, WY
From Interstate 25, take exit 254 for Kaycee. Head west on Highway 191 for about 1 mile. Turn left onto Highway 190W/Barnum Road for about 16 miles to Barnum. Turn left onto Bar C Road (follow sign for Middle Fork Powder River Management Area). This road is an improved all-weather access road and travels directly through the headquarters of the Hole-in-the-Wall ranch. The road will continue west another 2 miles past the boundary to the Middle Fork Management area, and then another 5 miles to the campground. The trail begins at the campground.
From I-25 take Exit 249 (TTT Road). Head southwest on TTT Road off the interstate. The road then turns southeast. Travel about 11 miles and veer right (TTT Ranch is to the left). TTT Road becomes Natrona County Road 112/Lone Bear Road. Veer right at the next Y-intersection for Natrona County Road 111/Willow Creek Road and go about 3.5 miles. Veer right towards Hole in the Wall and go about 4 miles. Veer right at the elevated white grain bins and go another 6 miles. Turn right onto Natrona County Road 105 towards Hole in the Wall. Natrona County Road 105 is a 4WD unmaintained road suitable only for high clearance vehicles during dry conditions. Stay straight on the two-track and go through 6 gates, about 9.5 miles to the trailhead. Please remember to leave the gates as you find them.
TBA: August of 2026
Offered by Hoofprints of the Past Museum
TBA: September of 2026
Offered by the Hoofprints of the Past Museum
TBA: June of 2026
Offered by Hoofprints of the Past Museum
Inaugural event: June 20-21, 2026
At Harold Jarrard Park
June to September each year
At Harold Jarrard Park