Old Trail Town

Authentic frontier buildings on the road to Yellowstone

⏱ 1 hour👤 All ages$

Old Trail Town works because it is a collection rather than a copy. Its structures were rescued and brought together, which means the cracks in the logs, the worn thresholds and the faded signs are original. Walking from building to building feels like moving through the memory of a town that never quite existed in one place but was assembled from the traces of many. The Wild West of the movies is tidy; this one is weathered, small and a little crooked, and more convincing for it.

Plan a visit of an hour or so, longer if you read every interpretive sign. The self-guided format suits families, because children can move at their own pace and look in each doorway, and photographers will enjoy the textures of old wood and the open Wyoming sky. Wear a hat and sunscreen, since there is little shade in midsummer, and sturdy shoes for the gravel paths. Bring your purchase confirmation, since it is your only entry. The site is outdoors, so it suits fine weather best.

Pair it sensibly. Old Trail Town sits near the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, so many visitors combine the two, with the museum on a wet day and Old Trail Town on a sunny one. The nightly rodeo, trolley tours and mustang trips are other Cody options. The attraction is seasonal, from May 15 to September 30, so it will not be open on a winter trip. Fit: history lovers, families, photographers and anyone staying in Cody on the way to or from Yellowstone. Keep in mind that the site sits on open ground, so a midsummer afternoon can be hot and a spring or autumn evening cool, and that a light jacket and water bottle are sensible all season. Allow a little extra time if you enjoy reading about the people behind the buildings, since the interpretive signs reward patient readers.