Cowboy Culture and More In Wyoming's Gateway To The Bighorns

Known as ‘Wyoming’s Jewel’, the mountain town of Sheridan in the northern part of the state is classic Cowboy country — think big skies, lively saloons, mountain wilderness, and Wild West adventures. Wandering down the welcoming main street, lined with early 1900s architecture and vibrant local businesses, you can see echoes of Sheridan’s fascinating past around every corner. The legendary showman Buffalo Bill Cody was a prime investor in the town’s early days, rumour has it he held auditions for his Wild West Show on the porch of the Sheridan Inn. The Inn, one of downtown’s most historic properties, has attracted a number of famous guests over the decades, including Ernest Hemingway, President Hoover, and Bob Hope.

It’s not just the Wild West connection that brings tourists to this quaint town. Its proximity to the stunning Bighorn Mountains and Bighorn National Forest makes Sheridan the ideal destination for outdoor adventurers eager to hike, bike, camp, horse ride, or simply visit the pristine Wyoming wilderness.

Sheridan's History And Heritage

Sheridan began life as a hastily scribbled sketch on a piece of paper. In 1882, a Civil War soldier, John Loucks, decided the area around Goose Creek Valley would be perfect for a settlement. He mapped out his design, calling the town Sheridan after General Phillip Henry Sheridan, a Union officer he served under during the war. Sheridan would later go on to help create Yellowstone National Park.

Sheridan, the town, was incorporated in 1884 and quickly grew thanks to the arrival of the railroad, the coal mining industry, and ranching. By 1900, there were 1,559 residents making a home in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains and just a decade later, that number had risen to 12,000.

The town’s popularity was fueled, in part, by early investors such as Buffalo Bill. The iconic entertainer first came to the area in 1876 as an army scout. He passed through again in 1894 and was so impressed with what he saw that he decided to invest in the Sheridan Inn. His company, the W.F. Cody Hotel Company, also provided stagecoach transportation for guests.

As the local economy flourished, Sheridan became known as a center of business and a tourism hub. In the 1920s, it was something of a party town thanks to the WYO theatre, which began showing ‘the talkies’ in 1929. Author Ernest Hemingway visited in this era, originally looking for a quiet retreat in the Bighorn to finish his iconic novel, A Farewell to Arms, he came into town and stayed at the Sheridan Inn, putting the novel aside to enjoy the town’s many entertainments.

Now home to just under 19,000 residents, Sheridan has continued its legacy of hospitality, welcoming the late Queen Elizabeth in 1984 when she stayed at nearby Canyon Ranch. Although its main industries are now mining, agriculture, and retail, tourism still plays a vital role in its development and there are lots of excursions, adventures, and experiences on offer for guests who want a true taste of cowboy country and culture.

Sheridan Events

You can’t have a classic cowboy town without a classic cowboy rodeo. This beloved Western tradition is almost a century old in Sheridan with the town celebrating its 93rd annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo in 2024. The week-long event takes place every summer and features bucking broncs, bull riding, rodeo clowns, and the popular World Championship Indian Relay Races.

Rodeo Week is also when you can catch the First People’s Powwow and Dance. Taking place on the lawn in front of the Sheridan Inn, the Powwow features a colorful display of Native American dancers and drummers performing traditional ceremonial dances.

If you’re visiting in winter, check out the amazing skills of the dogs involved in the Bighorn Rush Sled Dog Challenge, a tribute to this traditional mode of transportation. Held in the Antelope Butte Mountain Recreation Area at the end of December, the two-day race event tests the dogs and riders over a 25 mile course, and a 10 mile course before crowning the winners. Spectators can enjoy incredible views over the wintry mountain landscapes, seeing the dogs in action, and racetrack refreshments.

In September, the town once again invokes its cowboy past with Don King Days, now in its 37th year. Named for the world-renowned saddlemaker and founder of the town’s Saddlery, the event is a celebration of all things equestrian with polo, steer riding, and bronc riding displays. Visitors can also enjoy live country music concerts, food vendors, and games.

Tourist Attractions In Sheridan

Given that the town is almost 150 years old, it’s no wonder much of Sheridan’s key attractions are historical. In fact, Sheridan’s entire Main Street district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as is the Sheridan Inn.

This landmark property, which was built in 1893, was forced to close in 1965 as the building began to deteriorate. The Inn was carefully restored and refurbished before reopening in 2013. Suites in the Inn tell the stories of its famous guests while its elegant dining room carries a very unusual piece of decor — a cherrywood bar given to Buffalo Bill by Queen Victoria as thanks for the Wild West Show he performed for her Golden Jubilee in 1887.

The Blacksmith Shop in Sheridan, built in 1879, is home to the Bozeman Trail Museum which displays Indian artifacts, dentistry tools, photos, pioneer clothing, books, blacksmith tools, and other frontier-era artifacts. Art lovers will enjoy the Brinton Museum which features 19th, 20th and 21st century Western and American Indian Art.

The Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site is just a short drive from town. Here, you can wander through the largest stockaded fort in the West and the backdrop for some of the most important events of the 1866-1868 Red Cloud’s War. The site is now home to the fort grounds and two other battle sites, the Fetterman Fight and the Wagon Box Fight.

If you’re looking for an authentic cowboy experience, book a day on a dude ranch where you can get some time in the saddle, learn basic equestrian skills, and enjoy the incredible Wyoming scenery as the pioneers did. Eaton’s Ranch, the oldest dude ranch in the United States, offers guests the chance to roam 7,000 acres of open country with horse riding, fishing, and other outdoor activities amid rolling hills, wildflower meadows, and deep valleys.

Get more of Mother Nature at the Bighorn National Forest, which offers over 1,200 miles of scenic trails perfect for day hiking, backpacking, or biking. The forest is known for its breathtaking natural landmarks, including the 13,167-foot-high Cloud’s Peak and the Shell, Tensleep, and Crazy Woman Canyons. It’s also home to moose, deer, black bears, and other diverse wildlife.

Exploring The Magic And Beauty Of Northern Wyoming

Sheridan has won a lot of awards in its long history — named one of the Top Ten Western Towns by True West Magazine, the fourth ‘Best Small Town Cultural Scene’ by USA Today, Best Mountain Town by Elevation Outdoors Magazine — and it’s easy to see why.

A nature lover's paradise, a trip into the past, and a chance to see the West as it was, Sheridan is a one-of-a-kind destination in Wyoming’s far north, near the Montana border. Despite its location in the mountains, the town is highly accessible to travelers. Situated halfway between Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore, it’s an ideal destination whether you’re planning a Wyoming road trip, looking for somewhere to spend a long weekend, or in need of a longer break.

Gateway to the Bighorns, Wild West frontier town, Sheridan is packed with so much personality, character, culture, and history that one visit is never enough.