Old Trail Town

About

Old Trail Town is one of Wyoming's most distinctive historical attractions, a collection of authentic frontier-era buildings and artifacts dating from 1879 to 1901. Located on the outskirts of Cody, just two miles west of the famous Buffalo Bill Center of the West, this open-air museum brings the Old West to life in a way few places can.

The site features over two dozen original buildings that were carefully relocated from their scattered locations across Wyoming and Montana. You'll find cabins once used by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, a saloon from the mining town of Kirwin, and the original log cabin studio of frontier photographer Charles Belden. Each structure tells its own story of frontier life, complete with period furnishings and artifacts placed inside.

Walking through Old Trail Town feels like stepping onto a Western film set, except everything here is real. Horse-drawn wagons, Native American travois, and weathered wooden signs line the dirt pathways between buildings. The graveyard holds the remains of notable frontier figures, including Jeremiah "Liver Eating" Johnston, whose legend inspired the Robert Redford film.

The site is self-guided, so you can explore at your own pace. Informational plaques accompany each building, offering historical context and stories about former occupants. Most visits take about an hour, though history buffs may want to linger longer.

Old Trail Town is typically open from mid-May through September. Admission fees are modest, and the site is a natural complement to a visit to the nearby Buffalo Bill Center. Its location along the Yellowstone Highway also makes it a convenient stop for travelers heading to or from Yellowstone National Park, just 50 miles to the west.

For families, the site sparks curiosity in kids and adults alike. There's something powerful about standing inside a cabin where real outlaws once hid from the law over a century ago.

Accessibility

Old Trail Town is an outdoor historical site with pathways that are primarily hard-packed dirt and gravel running between the preserved buildings. The terrain is relatively flat, which may be manageable for some wheelchair and mobility device users during dry conditions, though uneven surfaces and loose gravel could present challenges after rain or during wet weather.

The site is open-air and self-guided, meaning visitors can choose their own route and pace. Many of the historic cabin interiors are viewable from doorways and windows without needing to enter, which can be helpful for those who find narrow cabin entries difficult to pass through. Some structures have raised thresholds or steps at their entrances.

Parking is available in a lot near the entrance. The site does not have a large visitor center, so restroom facilities may be limited.

Because Old Trail Town is a preserved historical site rather than a modern facility, accessibility modifications are constrained by the nature of the original structures. Contact the venue directly before your visit for the most current information about pathway conditions, available accommodations, and any recent improvements. Staff can advise on the best route through the site for visitors with mobility needs.

The outdoor setting means the experience is weather-dependent. Sun exposure is significant during summer months with limited shade, so visitors should plan accordingly with sun protection and water. The relatively compact footprint of the site means distances between buildings are short.

More accessible places in Wyoming

• Buffalo Bill Center of the West (Cody)
• Grand Teton National Park (Moose)
• National Museum of Wildlife Art (Jackson)
• Devils Tower National Monument (Devils Tower)
• Fort Laramie National Historic Site (Fort Laramie)
• Cheyenne Botanic Gardens (Cheyenne)