Just west of Cody, Wyoming, Old Trail Town assembles 26 log cabins, shops, and saloons dating from the late 19th century, dismantled and painstakingly reassembled on the very site chosen by Buffalo Bill in 1895 to found the town. This open-air museum, open only during summer season, preserves the furnishings, weapons, and graves of several figures from the old American West.

Why Visit Old Trail Town?

The site stands apart from most Western reenactments through the authenticity of its buildings: no replicas, but original structures dating from 1879 to 1901, rescued from demolition across Wyoming and neighboring states. The specialist magazine True West named it "Best Tourist Attraction and Historic Site," particularly for the quality of its documentation and the rarity of its exhibited objects.

The place's appeal also lies in its geographical grounding: it occupies the original location chosen by William "Buffalo Bill" Cody to establish his town, giving it strong symbolic value in the history of the American Frontier. Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the entire site, including the cemetery.

Site History

Old Trail Town was founded in 1967 by Bob Edgar, a local archaeologist and passionate enthusiast of Western history. Faced with the progressive disappearance of Wyoming's pioneering constructions, he undertook to save these buildings by dismantling them piece by piece at their original locations, then reconstructing them in Cody.

Over several decades, Edgar and his team assembled 26 structures representative of daily frontier life: trapper cabins, general store, schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, saloon, and stable. This work was complemented by collecting objects, archives, and testimonies, making Old Trail Town today one of the principal collections dedicated to the American West of the late 19th century.

What to See Here?

The Outlaw Cabins

Butch Cassidy's cabin, the bank and train robber, ranks among the site's most visited structures. The neighboring saloon was frequented by the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, the band that united Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and several other outlaws. Several "sniper hides"—firing openings built into walls during shootouts—remain visible, concrete testimony to the conflicts of the era.

Curley's Cabin

A log cabin is associated with Curley, a Crow scout who served in the American army alongside Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer during the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. Curley is one of the rare figures to have survived this episode on Custer's side, making him a central figure in the region's military memory.

The Frontier Cemetery

The site's small cemetery holds several graves of iconic Western figures. It is said to contain the burial of John "Liver-Eating" Johnston, a trapper from New Jersey whose life inspired the film Jeremiah Johnson (1972), in which Robert Redford stars. Beside him lie the graves of Jim White "the Buffalo Hunter," scout Jack Stilwell, trapper Phillip Vetter, pioneers WA Gallagher and Blind Bill Hoolihan, as well as Belle Drewry.

The Site Shop

The souvenir shop occupies a cabin rescued from the ranching community of Marquette, one of the first established on the North Fork in the late 1880s. It also serves as an information kiosk and offers supplementary documentation on the buildings and their former occupants: books, posters, Western-themed clothing.

Practical Information

Old Trail Town operates seasonally, from May through September, with broad daytime hours. Admission rates remain moderate (adult entry around ten dollars, half-price for children 6 to 12, free for younger visitors). Check current hours and rates on the official website before your visit, as they vary from season to season.

Wear closed-toe shoes: the paths are dirt and the cabins have irregular steps. The site is self-guided, with explanatory panels in English in front of each building.

When to Go?

The opening season coincides with the most favorable period for visiting Wyoming: June, July, and August offer mild to warm temperatures and long daylight hours, ideal for an outdoor site. May and September are quieter but cooler, sometimes with crisp mornings. Crowds peak in July-August, tied to Yellowstone's tourist season: aim for morning opening to enjoy the site in peace.

How to Get There?

Old Trail Town is located approximately 5 minutes by car from downtown Cody. From Sheridan Avenue, head west, pass the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, continue on US Route 14 (Yellowstone Avenue), then turn onto Demaris Drive on the left.

From Yellowstone National Park, plan for approximately 120 km via the East exit and US Route 14/16, roughly 1.5 hours of driving through the Shoshone National Forest. The Yellowstone area regional airport, 5 km from downtown Cody, serves several American cities in season; Cody is also connected by Greyhound bus lines.

Nearby

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a direct neighbor, usefully extends your visit with its five thematic museums (weapons, Western art, Plains peoples, Yellowstone natural history, Buffalo Bill himself). Further afield, the Canyonlands National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park allow you to continue exploring the grand landscapes of the American West. For a more unexpected stop along the way, Cadillac Ranch in Texas and the Cave of the Winds in Colorado complete a cross-country itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Trip

Old Trail Town naturally fits into an itinerary combining Yellowstone, Cody, and northern Wyoming. To build a custom route incorporating these stops, consult our suggestions for travel to the United States.