Top 10 Things to do in Johnson County, Wyoming
Written by Caly Behymer; photographed by Randy Behymer
With a mere population of just under 9,000 people and encompassing 4,154 square miles, Johnson County Wyoming offers a surprising number of things to do and see. The area is entrenched in Wild West history and is where the likes of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid called home at their famous Hole-in-the-Wall hideout. Cattle wars, famous Indian battles and legendary trails shaped the land and culture of this area. Today, Johnson County is a treasure trove of Wild West lore, where you can still feel the spirit of adventure and imagine outlaws riding through the dusty trails.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Johnson County, Wyoming by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly, Toby and Anita talk about Johnson County on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. A History of Wool – In the early 1900’s, sheep were introduced into Johnson County as another means of ranching. Wool and lamb produced in Johnson County became important commodities, especially during the World Wars, when demand for wool surged. Today, you can visit Mountain Meadow Wool, a spinning mill that processes wool from local sheep ranchers. You can take a self-guided tour of their mill and shop their many home décor, clothing and yarn products, all produced on site.
9. Wyoming Amish – Yes, there are Amish in Wyoming. And what better way to enjoy the many talents of the Amish than to visit Yoders Country Market near Buffalo. Here you can shop for furniture, fabrics, crafts, food, chocolates and more. Yoders is known for their freshly made fried hand pies on Fridays and freshly made donuts every Saturday. Cinnamon Rolls are popular in Johnson County and Yoders makes theirs in a wood-fired oven.
8. Ancient Trees – Spend some time exploring the Dry Creek Petrified Tree Environmental Education Area. The less than 1-mile trail passes through an old forest area where petrified remains of trees can be found. Educational signs describe the area and the flora and fauna that once grew in the area. Be sure to take the time to examine the petrified remains of the trees where the tree rings can easily be seen. And the grand finale petrified remain is a sight to see!
7. Take a Drive – There is no shortage of stunning and scenic drives in Johnson County. Some traverse dirt and gravel roads, so be sure your vehicle can handle that type of terrain. The Crazy Woman Canyon is a beautiful drive along the North Fork Crazy Woman Creek and weaves between the tall canyon walls. Another stunning drive is located off Route 16. Here, take Hazelton Road through Hazelton, then merge onto Slip Road towards Mayoworth. Here “wide open spaces” is defined as you pass endless horizons and several sheep farms. Switchbacks down the mountains will afford you breathtaking views of the Red Wall before arriving in Kaycee.
6. Cattle Wars – The Johnson County War was a battle between wealthy cattle barons and smaller settlers of the area who had been accused of rustling cattle. Rich barons hired gunmen to take out the smaller ranchers which eventually led to a final standoff at the TA Ranch. Local settlers trapped the hired gunman in a barn on the ranch for several days before the US Cavalry stopped the fighting. Today the TA Ranch is a working farm where the barn still stands. Guests can enjoy a delicious dinner at their farm-to-table restaurant, view the barn, ride horses and during winter months enjoy The Fire and Ice Festival.
5. Get Outside! Johnson County offers a plethora of outdoor activities all year round. There are countless hikes, like the Clear Creek Hike, which can be accessed in several different areas just north of Buffalo. Tie Hack Reservoir is the perfect place to spend a day swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding or just soaking in the sun on the small beach. Fishers can catch several species of trout, bass, walleye, tiger muskie, whitefish and more on local creeks, reservoirs, Lake DeSmet and ponds. For motorized fun, spend a day boating on Lake DeSmet. Winter brings cross country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and even fat tire biking.
4. Explore Part of the Bozeman Trail – Once a major travel route for emigrants heading to Montana, the Bozeman Trail passed through present day Johnson County. Several military forts were established along the route to protect travelers from Native Americans that inhabited the lands. Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site, the Fetterman Battle Site and Wagon Box Battle Site can be found along the former Bozeman Trail. Though there is nothing left of Fort Phil Kearny, the area is rich in history and the visitor center is large and offers a lot of information about the surrounding area and some of the Indian Wars that took place in the late 1800’s.
3. Visit Kaycee – A town of just 272 people, this little town deserves a day to itself. The Hoofprints of the Past Museum is a gem of a find. Covering the history of the area, this museum has curated some truly outstanding pieces from the surrounding area, like a wooden leg found on the Oregon Trail. Head across the street to the Invasion Bar and Grill for some outstanding green and red chile (like chili) and burgers. Chris LeDoux fans should head over to Chris LeDoux Park to see a bronze statue and guitar celebrating his life and then to the Rusty Spur for some Chris LeDoux gear.
2. Spend a Day in Buffalo – Buffalo is a quaint, historic, charming town. Thought small in size, the town is full of things to keep visitors busy for days. Spend a day shopping in downtown, grab a bite to eat at one of the many delicious eateries (one of which was on Triple D), take a self-guided tour of the historic homes and buildings and check out all the beautiful murals and bronze statues that dot the town. No visit to Buffalo is complete without visiting the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum, which is home to a rich collection of artifacts, including Native American relics, pioneer memorabilia and exhibits on the Johnson County War.
1. Visit the Historic Occidental Hotel and Saloon – More than just a hotel, The Ox (as locals call it) is a time capsule of life in the late 1800’s. Dubbed as the oldest hotel in Wyoming, the Ox is home to the hotel, the Virginian Restaurant, the Saloon and the Busy Bee Café. Be sure to spend time in the hotel lobby, looking at the historic pieces and countless pictures of life in the Wild West during the 1800’s. You can even schedule a tour of the hotel through the front desk for an inside look at rooms where Teddy Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover and Ernest Hemming way all stayed and hear the stories that shaped this former brothel turned hotel.
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Army Corp of Engineers Campground - Photo Credit Army Corp of Engineers