There is much to see in the nearby area of the hard work and discovery of the Old West. Visit Buffalo – located in Johnson County – tucked away between the rolling plains of the old West and the towering peaks of the Big Horn Mountains and the vast Bighorn National Forest.  It’s a land rich in both western history and scenery.  A place of sheep herders and cattle barons, renegades and rustlers. This is where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid holed up after their outlaw exploits. It is where miners , consumed with gold rush fever, passed through on the Bozeman Trail where some of the most famous Indian battles in our American history occurred. This is where the Johnson County Cattle War, a rangeland dispute which historians often deem one of the most notorious events in our history, left its mark here in the late 1880s … and  that Owen Wister wrote about in his epic American novel, “The Virginian”.

For all of us in the 21st century, Buffalo has many charming shops along its quaint Main Street.  Margo’s Pottery for the latest in unique objets d’art, pottery and unique furniture pieces. CloudPeak.Net/Artsworks,Too can fill any computer need, has a great coffee bar and  glorious southwestern art. Read The Mini, the daily newspaper printed there, to look for things happening around town. The Posy Patch, for flowers, Sagewood, for lunch and gift items and the famous Sports Lure —- best sporting goods store in the West–round out the Main Street of Buffalo! Our guests refer back to the Todd family all year ordering rods, reels and other sportsmen’s booty!

For the avid golfer, the Buffalo Municipal Golf Course has been named one of the most beautiful courses in Wyoming.

Johnson County is a place of legend and living history surrounded by one of the last best unspoiled places in the American West.  Come experience both the beauty of the Big Horn Mountain wilderness and the history of the Western frontier.

Leaving Buffalo, head north on I-90 and stop in at Fort Phil Kearney (Just off of the Piney Creek exit) and the site of the famous Wagon Box Fight set along the infamous Bozeman Trail or drive to the national monument at the Battle of the Little Bighorn where George Custer met his end taking his men along with him. Learn the real stories of the various Native American tribes and where they live today. You’ll be in the town of Story and you should wind through its streets to the Wyoming State Fish Hatchery and see trout at all stages from fingerlings to big old grand dads. These fish are raised to stock the local lakes and streams.

Heading further north stop in Sheridan and visit the world famous Kings Saddlery and Museum. Started by Don King, who grew up on the ranch, this center for the western cowboy has it all. Come see how the ropes are twisted and tied for the ranchers and rodeo folk. And, step into the Old West in the Museum that boasts western memorabilia and hands on history. Grab a bite downtown at Java Moon or the Wyoming Rib and Chop House located in the historic Main Street area. Or, plan on an elegant dinner at Oliver’s. The shopping on Main Street is fantastic. Make sure to stop in the Bucking Buffalo for the latest in the haute couture of the West. You might run into Craig Johnson author of the gripping western novel  “The Cold Dish”  and he’ll spin a few tales while his wife and partner, Judy, adorns you in swell Western glamour.

There is high goal polo on the weekends at the Flying “H” Ranch and the Big Horn Equestrian Center. The Powder Horn Golf Course is an award-winning course just outside of Big Horn.

The Battle of the Little Big Horn is 65 miles north of Sheridan on I-90. It is, definitely, a piece of western history and worth seeing. Combine this day trip with a stop for a little fishing along the Tongue River located off of the Ranchester/Dayton exit about 20 miles north of Sheridan. Along the way are historic sites of interest, antique shops and the vast scenery of Wyoming.

Around the Area

There are plenty of places to explore and learn about the West within easy driving distance of the H F Bar Ranch. We can’t name them all..here are a few of our favorites. Ask the Ranch Office for a map and directions.

Buffalo, Wyoming

1. 1.Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum and Gift Shop
2. 2.Historic Downtown Buffalo. See the Occidental Hotel and Museum where The Virginian “got his man” where Owen Wister finished writing the famous book.
3. 3.The Sports Lure-  THE premier sports shop; you’ll want to take their phone number home with you for future reference!
4. 4.-Buffalo Golf Course- one of the prettiest golf courses in the Wild West.
5. 5.Winchester’s Steak House and Bozeman Trail Crossing for great steaks and specialties.
6. 6.The Breadboard and The Dash Inn for hometown , delicious lunches.
7. 7.Tour the town…There are all sorts of  fun shops and restaurants for any age!
8. 8.Beautiful freshwater free form swimming pool in Washington Park.
9. 9.Margo’s Pottery, Sagewood, Potter’s Depot, are all downtown.

NOTE: It is pretty hard to get lost out here in this wide open country, but we do suggest that you check in with the Ranch Office and grab a map and directions as well as handy hints about your explorations. You might even take our phone number and leave us your cell phone number in case we miss you at dinner! We’ll even send out a search party (just joking!)