Butch Cassidy is considered by many to be the Robin Hood of the West. He was charming, hard working and fair to the poor. Throughout his life of crime, he robbed only the rich and had a strict policy against violence. Not all of his companions, though, adhered to this order. Nonetheless, his benevolent record makes him one of the most beloved outlaws of all time.
Total Travel Time: Three to five days
Beginning in Sundance, you'll start tracking the footsteps of Butch Cassidy and his famous partner, The Sundance Kid, who earned his reputation and nickname in this Black Hills town after a stint in the local jail.
Since you're here, take Highway 14 to Devils Tower National Monument. Rising 1,280 feet from the valley floor, this monolith was proclaimed the United States's first national monument in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Sundance to Devils Tower National Monument – 30.4 miles – About 47 minutes
From Devils Tower, travel south on Highway 14 back to Sundance and then west on I-90 to Gillette. The town is interesting for its coal mine tours; the Rockpile Museum and the Cam-Plex Center's packed calendar of musical concerts and rodeos.
Culture and Commerce: You're walking in the foot steps of a bandit so break those diet rules...just this once. While in Gillette, stock up on gourmet chocolates and other goodies at Jennie Zee's Fancy Fudge. Trust us; it feels good to be bad.
Devils Tower National Monument to Gillette – 63.6 miles – About an hour and 21 minutes
Continue on I-90 to Buffalo, an area tucked away between rolling plains and the towering peaks of the Big Horn Mountains and the vast Bighorn National Forest. Immerse yourself in the Old West along Main Street and its menagerie of historic buildings and frontier charm. Rich in both western history and breathtaking scenery, this unique hamlet is popular stop for all kinds of outdoor activities including hiking and wildlife viewing.
Even if you stay elsewhere, be sure to visit The Occidental Hotel where Butch Cassidy would occasionally hang his hat.
Music in the Mountains: If you're going to Buffalo, it is worth planning your trip so you'll be there Thursday night for the jam session at the Occidental Saloon. Not for your average musician, prospective jammers must try out to earn the right to play along. Their high standards guarantee a toe-tapping good time.
In the early 1890's, conflicts between cattle barons and small ranchers escalated in this area into what is known as the Johnson County War. Cassidy and a friend owned a small ranch in this area for a short time. It is also where the famous Hole-in-the-Wall hideout is located.
Learn more about this time period at the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum.
Gillette to Buffalo – 70.9 miles – About an hour and four minutes
North on I-90 will take you to the city of Sheridan, another Wyoming town steeped in western history and mountain beauty. Butch Cassidy surely enjoyed the scenery while working ranches in this area.
Culture and Commerce: Since the late 1800's, theKoltiska family has been enjoying fine liqueur in Sheridan. It's not much of a stretch to believe they enjoyed a drink with Butch and the gang. Now the fifth generation is bottling the stuff and sending it out to the rest of the world. Ask for some Koltiska Original or KO 90 if you're wetting your whistle in the area.
Buffalo to Sheridan – 36.9 miles – About 36 minutes
From Sheridan go west, then south, on U.S. Highway 14 to Greybull. Along the way you will travel through Shell Canyon, an area rich in geological wonders and stark beauty. Check out the Shell Creek Falls, a waterfall that tumbles over three billion year old granite cliffs.
Otto Franc, the man who would have Cassidy arrested for horse theft, was a wealthy German immigrant who had established his ranch in Greybull before most people had even heard of Wyoming. He guarded his interests aggressively and contributed to the tensions between ranchers and sheepherders.
Culture and Commerce: Stretch your legs and enjoy all there is to see, touch and buy at Crazy Woman Trading Post while you're in Greybull.
Sheridan to Greybull – 96 miles – About two hours
From Greybull, take the highway south toward Lander. You'll pass through country that Butch Cassidy worked as a ranch hand for various operations. Be sure to stop and enjoy the towns you'll pass through including Worland, Thermopolis, Shoshoni, and Riverton.
Culture and Commerce: In a small town called Kirby, between Worland and Thermopolis, you'll find Wyoming Whiskey. No outlaws here. Just bourbon hand-crafted the old fashioned way with local ingredients at the state's first legal distillery.
Greybull to Lander - 151 miles - About three hours
Butch Cassidy owned a ranch in the Lander area when he was convicted of horse theft. Many believe these particular charges were made up by a cattle baron, Otto Franc, who held a grudge against him. Many believe he'd earned time in jail, regardless. Whether Cassidy was actually a rustler is hotly debated. He spent some time in the Lander jail but was so loved by the community that, before being sent to the prison in Laramie, he was released on his own word that he would return in time for the transfer. And he did, indeed, return.
Some even say he's buried near the Outlaw Cabins just outside of town. He's reported to have had a sweetheart, Mary Boyd, in town who he visited regularly.
Optional - Add a Day: From Lander, go north on U.S. Highway 26 toward Dubois. Cassidy and his friend Al Hainer settled on a homestead on nearby Horse Creek in 1889. A good man, especially for an outlaw, Cassidy made the 60 mile ride to Fort Washakie in late winter - then back - to fetch medicine for a sick child. You'll pass Fort Washakie on your way north.
Lander to Dubois - 75 miles - About an hour and a half
From Dubois, continue north to Moran Junction then swing south on U.S. Highway 26/89/191 toward Hoback Junction. You'll pass by Jackson, which is certainly worth a stop if you have time. At Hoback Junction, go west on U.S. Highway 26/89 toward Star Valley.
Star Valley is a collection of small towns hidden away in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Each little town, including Alpine, Etna, Freedom, Thayne, Star Valley Ranch, Bedford, Turnerville, Auburn, Grover, Afton, Fairview and Smoot has its own appeal. While part of the McCarty gang, Butch Cassidy spent time in this area. They pretended to be wealthy ranchers and opened the valley's first saloon.
Culture and Commerce: As long as your not planning to hold up a train, stop in to Freedom Arms - in Freedom - to take a look at their fine revolvers. A gun is a salute to Western history as well as an investment. The staff is always willing to talk about both.
Culture and Commerce: While you're in Afton, grab a whistle at The Antler Works so you can signal your wild bunch from over the hill or around the corner. These great carvings make the perfect gift.
Dubois to Star Valley - 130 miles - About two hours and 15 minutes
To pick up the original road trip, continue down U.S. Highway 89 (then Wyoming Highway 89) to Border Junction, where you'll turn toward Cokeville on U.S. Highway 30. Stay on this road through Kemmerer, Opal and Granger. You'll merge onto I-80 just west of Green River and go east to Rock Springs.
Star Valley to Rock Springs - Approximately 162 miles - About two hours and 40 minutes
Rock Springs is where Robert Leroy Parker, answering to numerous aliases including George Cassidy, earned the name "Butch" while working as a butcher. While in town, visit the Rock Springs Historical Museum for a glimpse of life in the throughout the last century.
Lander to Rock Springs - 117 miles - About two and a half hours
As you drive east on I-80, there are three locations of note which may or may not be worth leaving the interstate to see:
- To the south, just after Table Rock, is Tipton. This is the location of the Wild Bunch's second Wyoming train robbery.
- To the south, if you were to turn at Creston Junction on Highway 789, you would find another of the Wild Bunch's hideouts in the Powder Wash/Adobe Town area. The Vernon Hotel in Baggs was their home and the Bulldog Saloon next door was their playground. Some accounts tell of a night when they shot up the saloon but then paid the owner a dollar for each bullet hole.
- To the north, if you were to take U.S. Highway 287, you would see the area at Wilcox Siding - between Medicine Bow and Rock River - where the Wild Bunch committed their first Wyoming train robbery. Fans of the movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" will remember E.C. Woodcock who was injured by dynamite when he refused to open the safe in the first train robbery. By coincidence, he also happened to be guarding the safe in the second robbery 14 months later and gave much less resistance.
When you arrive in Laramie, visit the Wyoming Territorial Prison. Cassidy served time here for his horse theft conviction. A petty thief up until this point, Cassidy had time in prison to meet real criminals and think about his technique. If you happen to be there on the last weekend of June, you might catch Butch Cassidy Days which is a two day event with interpreters, food, and stage coach rides.
Culture and Commerce: Butch Cassidy was a bank robber but he respected people who did honest work to make a living. While you're in Laramie, stop by Godyssey Glass and Irving's Hardwood Furnishings to meet a family of hard working local artists who make beautiful things for your outfit and your home.
Rock Springs to Laramie - 207 miles - About two and a half hours