10 small towns for authentic cowboy culture in the American West
Lonely Planet highlights ten lesser-known towns across the American West for genuine cowboy culture beyond tourist hubs. Bandera, Texas, the 'Cowboy Capital of the World' since the 1800s, features the oldest continuously operated honky-tonk in Texas, Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar, and working dude ranches like Mayan Ranch. Jackson, Wyoming, blends luxury with cowboy tradition at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and remote Darwin Ranch. Virginia City, Montana, preserves its 1880s gold rush character with wooden boardwalks and the haunted Fairweather Inn. North Platte, Nebraska, honors Buffalo Bill Cody's legacy with the NEBRASKAland celebration and the Historic Canteen District's stylish dining. Wickenburg, Arizona, the 'Team Roping Capital of the World,' hosts Gold Rush Days in February and offers dude ranch stays at Kay El Bar. Ely, Nevada, on the 'Loneliest Road in America,' provides access to Great Basin National Park and the Nevada Northern Railway Museum. Buffalo, Wyoming, boasts the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum and the Occidental Hotel, which hosted Butch Cassidy and Teddy Roosevelt. Darby, Montana, gained fame from the TV series 'Yellowstone' but maintains its rodeo culture and Double H Custom Hats. Deadwood, South Dakota, embraces its lawless history with Saloon No. 10, where Wild Bill Hickok was killed, and the Days of '76 Museum. Lone Pine, California, served as backdrop for 400 films and features the Museum of Western Film History and the Manzanar National Historic Site.
Key facts
- Bandera, Texas, has been called the Cowboy Capital of the World since the late 1800s.
- Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar in Bandera is the oldest continuously operated honky-tonk in Texas.
- Jackson, Wyoming, is nicknamed 'the Last of the Old West' and features the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
- Darwin Ranch in Wyoming is the most remote guest ranch in the Lower 48 states.
- Virginia City, Montana, was the gold rush capital of Montana Territory and is well preserved.
- North Platte, Nebraska, hosts the NEBRASKAland celebration each June.
- Wickenburg, Arizona, is the Team Roping Capital of the World and Arizona's dude ranch capital.
- Ely, Nevada, is a base for Great Basin National Park, known for stargazing.
- Buffalo, Wyoming, inspired the fictional Absaroka County in the Netflix series Longmire.
- Darby, Montana, is home to fewer than 900 residents and was put on the map by the TV series Yellowstone.
- Deadwood, South Dakota, is a National Historic Landmark with staged gunfight reenactments.
- Lone Pine, California, has served as the backdrop for roughly 400 movies and TV shows.
- The Manzanar National Historic Site near Lone Pine tells the story of Japanese American internment.
- The Occidental Hotel in Buffalo hosted Butch Cassidy, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ernest Hemingway.
Entities
Artists
- Buffalo Bill Cody
- Butch Cassidy
- Sundance Kid
- Teddy Roosevelt
- Ernest Hemingway
- Owen Wister
- Wild Bill Hickok
- Calamity Jane
- John Wayne
- Cary Grant
Institutions
- Lonely Planet
- Mayan Ranch
- Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
- Darwin Ranch
- Fairweather Inn
- NEBRASKAland
- Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association
- Nevada Northern Railway Museum
- Great Basin National Park
- Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum
- Occidental Hotel
- Netflix
- Double H Custom Hats
- Saloon No. 10
- Days of '76 Museum
- Museum of Western Film History
- Manzanar National Historic Site
- Chief Joseph Ranch
- Triple Creek Ranch
- Alta Ranch
- Kay El Bar
- Heart Six
- Triangle X
- Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa
- Brewery Follies
- Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad
- Nevada City
- Bannack
- Dillon
- Cedar Room
- North 40 Chophouse
- Capital Patty
- Saguaro Theater
- Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
- TA Guest Ranch
- King's Saddlery and Museum
- Hoofprints of the Past Museum
- Hole-in-the-Wall
- Darby Rodeo Association
- 406 Saloon
- Darby Pioneer Memorial Museum
- Mr. T's Mercantile
- Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
- Dow Villa Motel
- Jake's Saloon
- Movie Road
- Alabama Hills
- Mt Whitney
- Sequoia National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- Highway 395
- The Brothel
- Mt Moriah Cemetery
- Lead
- Black Hills
- Bighorn Mountains
- Bitterroot Valley
- Trapper Creek
- Lake Como
- Loneliest Road in America
- Highway 50
- Gold Rush Days
- John Wayne Room
- OST
- 11th Street Cowboy Bar
- The Cowboy Store
- Bandera General Store
- Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar
Locations
- Bandera
- Texas
- United States
- Jackson
- Wyoming
- Virginia City
- Montana
- North Platte
- Nebraska
- Wickenburg
- Arizona
- Ely
- Nevada
- Buffalo
- Darby
- Deadwood
- South Dakota
- Lone Pine
- California
- Calgary
- Canada
- Sheridan
- Kaycee
- Dillon
- Bannack
- Lead
- Great Basin
- Alabama Hills
- Mt Whitney
- Bitterroot Valley
- Black Hills
- Bighorn Mountains
- Highway 395
- Manzanar
Sources
- Quartz —