Can I reach Old Trail Town without renting a car in Cody?
Public transit options to the site are non-existent, so you must rely on a rental car, local taxi service, or a guided tour package to navigate the distance from the town center.
Skip the glossy museum dioramas; this place feels like a legit ghost town because it actually is. Wander through the Hole-in-the-Wall gang’s original hideout and rows of weathered, authentic pioneer cabins. Plan for 90 minutes of dusty exploration. Hit the site around 5pm for the best shadows and moody photos. If you want the full historical breakdown, grab a $35 Cody Trolley Tour ticket; it adds the context the rusted-out wagons can't speak for themselves.
Stepping onto the dusty grounds of this historic site feels less like entering a preserved exhibit and more like stumbling into an abandoned settlement from the nineteenth century. The collection of authentic log structures, hauled from across Wyoming, offers a raw perspective on the harsh reality of frontier life. You will find yourself walking past weathered cabins that once sheltered outlaws and pioneers alike, including the actual log house used by Butch Cassidy. It is a sobering look at the grit required to survive the elements in this rugged, unforgiving landscape without any modern conveniences nearby. Getting to 1831 Demaris Dr requires a vehicle, as public transport options to this edge of Cody are nonexistent. Spend at least ninety minutes wandering the perimeter; anything less will leave you rushing through the fascinating, rough-hewn architecture. Arrive late in the afternoon, near 5pm, when the sun dips low enough to cast long, dramatic shadows against the dark, untreated timber walls. Avoid the temptation to touch the crumbling wood or climb inside the wagons, as the structural integrity of these relics is fragile. Most visitors fail to realize that the site contains the grave of Jeremiah Johnson, which sits quietly in the back lot, often overlooked by those rushing toward the main group of cabins. For a deeper understanding of the local geography and the rough trails that connected these remote homesteads, pair your visit with a Cody Trolley Tour ticket. If you have extra time, drive five minutes toward the Buffalo Bill Dam to see the sheer scale of the engineering projects that eventually ended the isolation of these pioneer outposts. Originally established as a private endeavor to consolidate these historic pieces before they were lost to decay, the site functions today as a physical archive of the American West. The structures reflect seasonal variations, appearing particularly stark and desolate after a dusting of snow, which highlights the isolation inherent in their original designs. This collection serves as a direct link to the individuals who shaped the regional culture, grounding your visit in historical reality rather than curated, polished fantasy.
Public transit options to the site are non-existent, so you must rely on a rental car, local taxi service, or a guided tour package to navigate the distance from the town center.
Allocate at least ninety minutes to walk the site comfortably; rushing through the gravel paths will cause you to miss the finer details in the construction of the smaller, original frontier log cabins.
Purchase a Cody Trolley Tour ticket for an integrated experience that provides the necessary historical context about the outlaws and settlers who built these structures, which the self-guided signs sometimes fail to mention.
Aim for an arrival time around 5pm to take advantage of the late afternoon light, which creates deep shadows across the weathered wood, providing a moody, authentic aesthetic for your photos of the buildings.
Most visitors walk right past the grave of Jeremiah Johnson located in the back lot; make sure to circle the entire site to find this burial marker tucked away behind the primary cabin displays.