Nestled just off of I-25, 340 miles North of Denver, lies the tiny historic community of Kaycee, Wyoming. When you think of "cowboy" and the "old west", you should have little trouble picturing Kaycee. A simple drive along any dirt road is a filled with historic treasures such as - Butch Cassidy's Hole-in-the-Wall; the site of Nate Champion's historic shootout during the famed Johnson County Cattle Wars; or perhaps the last fight of the proud Northern Cheyenne Indians at the Dull Knife Battle shortly after Little Bighorn. But the locals have many more stories to share, perhaps not as famous, yet certainly as intriguing and often even more entertaining. Don't be surprised if you ask an old-timer about an incident in history only to have him jump into a cowboy's poem.
Wyoming is home to the largest wide-open unspoiled country in the continental United States - averaging just 5 people per square mile. In comparison, Montana averages nearly 7 people per square mile. Johnson County, home to Kaycee, averages about the same population density as Alaska, - 1 person per square mile. Most of that population lies within the community of Buffalo. If your desire is to get away from crowds and traffic, experience western Americana and to see pristine country, Kaycee is your place.
Nestled in Powder River Country, you might be seduced into thinking the region is mere high desert. But as you traverse the many paths, you are astounded to find different - almost prehistoric - scenery. Red rock hills, enormous rocks dot the scenery as though placed there by an artist. Wildflowers dot lush green valleys abundant with wildlife and crystal clear creeks and rivers. Occasional old homesteads mark the landscape, causing your mind to run wild with visions of what this land has seen. It takes little to imagine Butch Cassidy riding hard over a hill at full gallop trying to elude a posse as he made his way to the safety of the Hole-in-the-Wall - or a band of natives setting up camp for a buffalo hunt before winter. If you can't make the picture come to life on your own, there are countless "old" and "young-timers" excited about sharing their visions of the past. A walk through Kaycee's "Hoof Prints to the Past" museum will show you countless artifacts and photos that will demonstrate the rough yet proud lives of early pioneers and Native Americans.
Johnson County is a sportsman paradise. Whether equipped with a rifle, camera or just your memory, no place in North America can compare. The abundance of wildlife is unmatched. Bear, wolves, coyotes, foxes and bobcats are common predators. Mule and White tail deer, antelope, and elk are abundant as ever, as are streams and creeks brimming with trophy native trout that scatter as you peak into a pool. Little time passes that you don't see an eagle or hawk gliding far above - appearing to watch your every move.
Feared by the peacekeepers, this region was referred to as the "outlaw Country". Early pioneers lived off the principle of minding ones own business. Where you came from and what you did didn't matter as long as you minded your P's and Q's while in Johnson County. That is not to say that Johnson County was lawless; on the contrary. If you broke a law in Johnson County - be it written or natural - you paid for your transgressions. There was a common law that, because of the Johnson County Cattle Wars, few people trusted federal and state law enforcement officers. History now shows that early residents had cause to not trust the law, so when an outlaw took refuge in Johnson County, citizens would not judge them. Butch Cassidy spent considerable time in Johnson County, both owning a ranch and hiding at the Hole-in-the-Wall. Locals remember Butch as a great neighbor and trustworthy friend. Although they may not have fought for the outlaws, fellow ranchers and hands never volunteered information to law enforcement officers or bounty hunters.
Every year, the Hoof Prints to the Past museum, Kaycee's link to its roots, puts on several well guided and narrated tours of the region. Tours include destinations such as the site of Nate Champion's shootout; Butch Cassidy's Hole-in-the-Wall, Outlaw Caves, the Dull Knife Battle, and many other historic spots in route. Please take the time to visit our tour information including schedules, reviews and our photo album.
