William “Buffalo Bill” Cody was a living legend. As a soldier, bison hunter and showman, he became one of the most famous representatives of the American West. Northwestern Wyoming’s breathtaking beauty and small town charm are much the same as they were when Buffalo Bill lived there. Walk in the footsteps of history as you visit Cody, Powell, Lovell, Greybull, Worland and the Big Horn Mountains.
Entire Road Trip: Two to four days
Begin your adventure in Cody with a visit to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a world famous museum and art gallery known as the “Smithsonian of the West.” Depending on how much time you have, the five museums can take up to two days which are both covered by the entry fee. The Center is a great way to learn all about Buffalo Bill before heading out to the other places he frequented in Wyoming.
Music in the Mountains: Settle in for some music and humor with Dan Miller's Cowboy Music Revue while you're in Cody. The Revue plays Monday through Saturday night throughout the summer.
Also, don't miss the opportunity to take a trolley tour of Cody. You can get the “Experience Cody Inside and Out” package to get tickets to the BBHC and trolley for an event better price.
Head west on US Highway 14/16/20 to Pahaska Tepee. Buffalo Bill’s original lodge, featuring a view of Cody Peak, remains and tours are offered daily during the summer. Be sure to leave time for a meal in the rustic Lodgepole Room restaurant.
Cody to Pahaska – 50 miles – Estimated time, one hour
If you’re a hiker, find the Pahaska-Sunlight Trail and head to “Camp Monaco” where Buffalo Bill hosted the Prince Albert of Monaco during a hunting trip in 1913. The trail is approximately 18 miles long and is moderately difficult.
Pahaska-Sunlight Trail Hike – 18 miles – Estimated time, 3.5 hours
As you return to Cody, take note of the Buffalo Bill Dam and reservoir. In 1897, Cody and his associates acquired rights to use water from the Shoshone River for irrigation projects. Though they could not raise enough capital themselves, they worked to bring in the federal government to complete the project. The Shoshone Project was one of the first water development projects of what would become the Bureau of Reclamation.
Buffalo Bill also established the TE Ranch, which was located on the South Fork of the Shoshone River about thirty-five miles west of Cody. In addition to raising cattle, he also operated a dude ranch, pack horse camping trips, and big game hunting business at and from the TE Ranch. The ranch is privately owned.
Pahaska to Cody – 50 miles – Estimated time, one hour
Visit the Old Trail Town on the western edge of Cody. The trail town includes a collection of historic buildings and artifacts placed where Buffalo Bill originally surveyed for “Cody City” in 1895.
Wet your whistle, fill your belly or lay your head at The Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill Cody and named for his daughter. Walk lightly and you might hear the ghost of Irma rocking in her upstairs bedroom or see the ghost of a man in a Confederate uniform roaming the hotel.
Head north to Powell. Prior to the Shoshone Project, this area was dry plains and sagebrush. The irrigation system transformed the community into a thriving agricultural area.
Cody to Powell – 24.1 miles – About 30 minutes
Culture and Commerce: Mountain Man Moccasins – He started out an Indian fighter, but Buffalo Bill grew to respect the Native cultures, inviting the families of his performers to allow spectators to see how they lived in order to see a fuller picture of the people.
From Powell, continue on Highway14A to the western gateway to the Big Horn Mountains, Lovell.
Powell to Lovell – 30.45 miles – Estimated time, 33 minutes
Culture and Commerce: Another farm community, Lovell’s Queen Bee Gardens uses honey from their farm to create delicious treats that include caramels, pralines, truffle and English toffee.
An absolute must see just outside of Lovell is the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range. Home to a herd of about 180 wild horses with their Colonial Spanish American heritage, these beautiful animals have roamed these rugged mountains for hundreds of years.
Continue on Highway 14A through the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area to Burgess Junction and then toward I-90. This area contains a variety of landscapes including forest, mountains, upland prairie, deep canyons, broad valleys, high desert, lakes and wetlands. It is home to a wide array of wildlife including big horn sheep, deer, coyote, birds and maybe even a bear or mountain lion. A conservationist, Buffalo Bill surely enjoyed his travels through this area.
On the other side of the mountains, Sheridan was also home to Buffalo Bill. Visit The Sheridan Inn where, from his comfortable seat on the veranda, Buffalo Bill would audition young hopefuls for his show. Then head in to enjoy a beverage at the bar – the same one Cody frequented, always sitting on the third stool from the left, while living or visiting Sheridan.
Culture and Commerce: Every showman needs a good saddle and some tack with flair. Get yours at Custom Cowboy Shop, Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, or King’s Saddlery.
Lovell to Sheridan – 101 miles – Estimated time, 2 hours, 15 minutes
Down the road from Sheridan, Buffalo – not named for Buffalo Bill – was another favorite place to stay when he was traveling. Stop by the Occidental Hotel and its museum to see bits of history from when Buffalo Bill, Teddy Roosevelt, and Calamity Jane graced the guest registry.
Sheridan to Buffalo – 35 miles – Estimated time, 35 minutes
Culture and Commerce: Learn about the new applications of a past art, blacksmithing, by visiting Arrowhead Forge, open “by chance or appointment.”
Extra time? Cruise down the road to Casper and visit the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center to learn more about the Pony Express, one of Buffalo Bill’s many employers.