The Wild Frontier Trail:
A Journey Through Wyoming’s Outlaw History

There’s a wildness to Wyoming that never quite disappeared. The ghosts of outlaws, lawmen and restless cowboys still linger in the wind sweeping across the open plains. This is a land where Butch Cassidy planned his next heist, where Tom Horn faced justice and where cattle wars sparked gunfights that shaped the frontier. To travel through Wyoming is to follow the hoofprints of history, where adventure and danger once went hand in hand. Buckle up for a road trip that takes you deep into the
heart of the Old West.

Cheyenne:
Where the Railroad Met the Outlaws

Start your journey in Cheyenne, the state capital and a former hub of railroad expansion and frontier lawlessness. The Cheyenne Depot Museum, built in 1887, showcases the role of the Union Pacific Railroad in shaping the West and tells of outlaws like Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid, who passed through looking for their next opportunity. In the 1860s, Cheyenne was known as “Hell on Wheels,” a lawless town teeming with gamblers, saloon owners and drifters looking for opportunity—or trouble. Stay at the Nagle-Warren Mansion, a Victorian-era hotel dripping with Old West charm. Before leaving town, grab a drink at the Accomplice Bar, where the frontier spirit still lingers in every toast.

 

Detour:
Fort Laramie National Historic Site

Before heading to Laramie, take a short detour 90 miles north on US-85 to Fort Laramie National Historic Site, one of the most significant military outposts of the 19th century. Established in 1834, this fort played a crucial role in the Indian Wars and westward expansion. Walk the same grounds where soldiers, traders and settlers once stood before returning south to Cheyenne and continuing west on I-80 to Laramie.

 

 

Laramie:
Law and Order on the Frontier

Head west on I-80 for about 50 miles to Laramie, a town once known for its rough reputation but later a symbol of law and order. The infamous Big Nose George Parrott, an outlaw lynched in 1881 for murdering lawmen, left behind a gruesome legacy—his skin was used to make shoes now displayed at the Wyoming State Museum. Visit the Laramie Plains Museum to learn how this wild settlement tamed itself. For a historic overnight stay, book a room at the Albany Hotel, an establishment with deep roots in Wyoming’s past. Need a break? The Coal Creek Coffeehouse and Pub is the perfect place to relax while soaking in the Old West ambiance.

Medicine Bow:
Butch Cassidy’s Old Haunt

Continue west on US-30 for about 60 miles to Medicine Bow, a town with deep ties to Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch. Stop at the Medicine Bow Museum, where exhibits detail the outlaws who found refuge here. Nearby, the Virginian Hotel, built in the early 1900s, immerses you in the Old West experience. The town was also immortalized in Owen Wister’s 1902 novel The Virginian, which defined the cowboy archetype and inspired future

 

Side Trip :
Martin’s Cove

History enthusiasts should take a 50-mile detour west on WY-220 to Martin’s Cove, a significant site on the Mormon Trail where pioneers endured a brutal winter in 1856. The visitor center tells the harrowing story of their survival. Head back east to reconnect with your route to Casper.

Casper:
Trails, Trains and Tom Horn

Follow US-30 and WY-487 north for 90 miles to Casper, a city once vital to the Oregon Trail and later a notorious outlaw stop. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center tells the story of westward expansion, including Wyoming’s lawless days. Independence Rock, located about 50 miles west of Casper, was a famous landmark where pioneers carved their names into the granite, leaving behind an enduring record of their journeys. Visit the Tom Horn Cabin, where the infamous hired gun spent his last days. After exploring, unwind at The Office Bar, a saloon with a history stretching back to the early frontier days.

 

Kaycee:
The Legacy of Chris LeDoux and Outlaws

Take I-25 north for 65 miles to Kaycee, a small town with a big outlaw past. Stop at the Hoofprints of the Past Museum, where exhibits highlight the notorious Johnson County War and legendary cowboy singer Chris LeDoux, who called Kaycee home. The war, fought between cattle barons and homesteaders in the 1890s, left a deep mark on Wyoming history. Raise a glass at The Longhorn Saloon, a favorite watering hole that echoes with stories of cattlemen and outlaws alike. Adventurers can seek out The Hole in the Wall, currently part of the Willow Creek Ranch, an active cattle and horse ranch located about 30 miles southwest of Kaycee. Ranch guests can take a dirt road to the valley leading up to the pass and then hike a half-mile trail up to the top of the Red Wall to get a glimpse of where members of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang spent their time.

 

Buffalo:
The Johnson County War

Continue north on I-25 for 45 miles to Buffalo, a key battleground during the Johnson County War. Visit the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum to learn about the deadly clashes between cattle barons and settlers. Take a side trip to Fort Phil Kearny, where in 1866, the Fetterman Massacre saw an entire detachment of U.S. soldiers ambushed by Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors. End your day with a stay at the Historic Occidental Hotel, where outlaws, lawmen and even President Teddy Roosevelt once checked in.

 

Sheridan:
Where Outlawsand Cowboys Crossed Paths

Farther north on I-90 about 35 miles, sits Sheridan at the crossroads of outlaw
history and cowboy culture. Stop at the Sheridan County Museum, which explores Wyoming’s notorious criminals and the lawmen who pursued them. King’s Saddlery, a world-famous cowboy gear store, offers a look into ranching heritage. The Mint Bar, operating since 1907, is a must-visit for an authentic Old West drink.

 

Side Trip to Cody:
Buffalo Bill’s Legacy

No outlaw tour is complete without a side trip to Cody. Take US-14 west for 150 miles to this town founded by the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody. Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, five museums in one, covering everything from frontier firearms to outlaw legends. Stay at the historic Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill himself in 1902. The Cody Firearms Museum boasts one of the largest collections of American guns, showcasing weapons used by outlaws and lawmen alike. For entertainment, don’t miss the live music and cowboy atmosphere at The Cody Cattle Company before heading back to Sheridan via US-14.

 

The Final Stretch:
Legends Live On

From Cheyenne’s bustling railroad past to the remote hideouts of the Wild Bunch, this journey through Wyoming brings the Old West back to life. As the sun dips behind the rugged peaks and the wind carries whispers of gunfights and galloping hooves, you realize Wyoming isn’t just a place—it’s a legend. It’s a land where history breathes and the spirit of the frontier rides on, waiting for the next traveler to answer its call.