Ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time and experience the Wild West?
From dusty streets and swinging saloon doors to old-timey shops and battle reenactments, America’s historic Wild West towns still have it all.
If you’re looking for a unique adventure then these towns are bursting with charm and stories from the past.
So grab your cowboy hat and boots as we take a ride through the 15 best Wild West towns you can still visit in the US.
Let’s go!
1. Deadwood, South Dakota
Deadwood is a historic town that definitely feels like stepping back into the Wild West.
It was established during the Black Hills Gold Rush in 1876 and attracted famous figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, who are both buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery.
You can explore the town’s interesting history through attractions like the Adams Museum and the Days of ’76 Museum, which showcase artifacts and stories from the frontier days.
Walking down Main Street, you’ll see well-preserved buildings from the 19th century, making it easy to imagine the lawless days of the past.
One fun fact is that Wild Bill Hickok famously had his life ended while holding a card hand of aces and eights, now known as the “Dead Man’s Hand”.
Today, you can even watch reenactments of historical events like the trial of Hickok’s slayer.
2. Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City is a legendary Wild West town that was founded in 1872 and quickly became known as the “Wickedest Little City in America” due to its lawless and wild reputation.
It gained fame as a bustling cattle town on the Santa Fe Trail, attracting colorful characters like Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, who helped maintain order during its wild years.
Today, you can stroll down the restored Front Street, which still looks much like it did in the 1800s, and visit the Boot Hill Museum to see artifacts from the town’s rowdy past.
You can also catch thrilling battle reenactments and even enjoy a drink at a replica of the historic Long Branch Saloon.
3. Tombstone, Arizona
Tombstone, famously known as “The Town Too Tough to Die,” is a quintessential Wild West town.
It gained notoriety from the silver mining boom and the infamous battle at the O.K. Corral, where Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday faced off against the Clanton gang.
You can explore the historic Allen Street, which is lined with original 1880s buildings, and catch daily reenactments of the legendary O.K. Corral battle.
The Bird Cage Theatre, once a saloon, still stands with bullet holes in the walls, offering a glimpse into the town’s rowdy past.
A fun fact is that Tombstone was named by prospector Ed Schieffelin, who was told that he would find nothing but his own tombstone in the dangerous area.
4. Oatman, Arizona
Oatman is a charming old mining town located in the Black Mountains of Mohave County.
Known for its gold rush history, Oatman once thrived with over 10,000 residents but now supports just a little over 100 people year-round.
You can expect to see wild burros freely roaming the streets who are descendants of the donkeys used by miners long ago.
The town’s Main Street is lined with historic buildings, shops and restaurants which offers a glimpse into its past.
Daily battle reenactments add to the authentic Wild West atmosphere.
A fun fact is that Oatman was named after Olive Oatman, a woman who was famously kidnapped by Native American warriors and later released near the townsite.
5. Bandera, Texas
Bandera proudly calls itself the “Cowboy Capital of the World” and it’s easy to see why.
This small town in the Texas Hill Country is steeped in cowboy culture and offers visitors a chance to experience the Old West firsthand.
You can stay at one of the many dude ranches in the area, where horseback riding and cowboy breakfasts are just the beginning of the fun.
The Frontier Times Museum also showcases fascinating artifacts from the town’s past, and you can catch thrilling battle reenactments in downtown Bandera.
Bandera was actually the starting point for the Great Western Cattle Trail which makes it a key player in cowboy history.
6. Cody, Wyoming
Cody is an exciting old Wild West town founded by the legendary William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody in 1896.
Known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” Cody hosts nightly rodeos throughout the summer, providing a true cowboy experience.
You can explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West which is a world-class museum that delves into the life of Buffalo Bill and the history of the American West.
For a step back in time, visit Old Trail Town, where you can walk through authentic 1890s frontier buildings and see artifacts from famous outlaws like Butch Cassidy.
Cody was actually originally designed to attract tourists heading to nearby Yellowstone National Park, just 50 miles away.
7. Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City in Nevada is a historic mining town that boomed with the 1859 discovery of the Comstock Lode which was the first major silver deposit in the US.
At its peak, it was a bustling city with 25,000 residents, and today, it offers a glimpse into the Wild West.
You can walk down its wooden sidewalks, explore old saloons and visit the famous Mackay Mansion and Piper’s Opera House.
The town also hosts ghost tours and reenactments which bring its colorful past to life.
8. Cripple Creek, Colorado
Cripple Creek is a historic mining town located at the base of Pikes Peak and is known for its gold rush history starting in the early 1890s.
Once a bustling gold mining camp, Cripple Creek now offers a glimpse into the Wild West.
You can tour the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine which provides a deep dive into the gold mining history.
You can also check out the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad, which offers scenic rides through the historical mining areas.
Walking through the town, you’ll see well-preserved 19th-century buildings and can visit the Cripple Creek Heritage Center to learn more about its storied past.
The Butte Theater also hosts performances that bring the town’s history to life.
A fun fact is that Cripple Creek was the site of one of the last great Colorado gold rushes, producing over $500 million in gold.
9. Calico, California
Calico is a fascinating ghost town in the Mojave Desert that was founded in 1881 during the silver rush.
Known for its mining history, Calico once had over 500 mines producing millions of dollars worth of silver.
Today, you can still explore the restored 1880s buildings like Lil’s Saloon and the general store, and even take a tour of the Maggie Mine.
The town also offers Wild West experiences such as battle reenactments and gold panning, making it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
A fun fact is that Calico was purchased and restored by Walter Knott, the founder of Knott’s Berry Farm, in the 1950s.
10. Virginia City, Montana
Note: Virginia City appears twice in the list because there are two different towns with this name—one located in Montana and the other in Nevada.
Virginia City in Montana is a well-preserved gold mining town that offers a true Wild West experience.
Known for its long history, it was the site of one of the largest placer gold strikes in the Rocky Mountains, attracting thousands of miners in the 1860s.
You can stroll through the town’s historic district, which features original 19th-century buildings, and explore attractions like the Alder Gulch Short Line Railroad and the Virginia City Opera House.
The town also hosts engaging reenactments and gold panning activities, making it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
A fun fact is that Virginia City was actually Montana’s territorial capital from 1865 to 1875.
11. Ogallala, Nebraska
Ogallala began as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad but quickly became a bustling cattle town in the late 1800s.
Known as the “Gateway to the Northern Plains,” it was a key end point for cattle drives from Texas making it a pretty important place.
Today, you can still explore historic sites like the Front Street Cowboy Museum, which showcases artifacts from Ogallala’s Wild West days.
The town also hosts reenactments and events that bring its cowboy heritage to life.
Ogallala was once considered to be the most dangerous town in Nebraska due to frequent fights and brawls.
12. Silverton, Colorado
Silverton is a historic mining town located high in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 9,318 feet.
Known for its mining history, Silverton was established in the 1870s after the discovery of silver and gold in the area.
You can explore the town’s well-preserved 19th-century buildings and take a ride on the famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which has been in operation since 1882.
The town also offers tours of old mines, such as the Old Hundred Gold Mine, giving a true Wild West experience.
A fun fact is that the entire town is designated as a National Historic Landmark District, which preserves its frontier charm.
13. Buffalo, Wyoming
Buffalo is a historic town located at the base of the Bighorn Mountains, founded in 1879 with the establishment of Fort McKinney.
Known for its role in the Johnson County War, Buffalo gives you the chance to explore the Wild West through sites like the TA Ranch, where the infamous conflict’s final battle occurred.
Stroll down Main Street to see historic buildings, including the Occidental Hotel, which once welcomed famous figures like Teddy Roosevelt and Calamity Jane.
The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum also houses over 15,000 artifacts from the American Old West, providing a deep dive into the town’s history.
A fun fact is that Buffalo inspired the setting for the popular book and TV series ‘Longmire.’
14. Durango, Colorado
Durango is a picturesque town in the San Juan Mountains, founded in 1880 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company.
Known for its Wild West heritage, Durango gives you the chance to ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which has been in operation since 1882.
The town’s Main Avenue features beautifully preserved Victorian buildings, including the famous Strater Hotel, where you can enjoy ragtime music at the Diamond Belle Saloon.
You can also explore the Animas Museum and learn about Durango’s lawless early days, complete with battle reenactments and saloons.
15. Lincoln, New Mexico
Lincoln is a historic town famous for its role in the Lincoln County War, a violent conflict that erupted in 1878 involving figures like Billy the Kid.
The single street in Lincoln was dubbed “The Most Dangerous Street in America” by President Rutherford B. Hayes due to the frequent violence during the Lincoln County War.
Despite this, Lincoln still retains much of its Wild West charm.
You can explore the Old Lincoln County Courthouse which now serves as a museum recounting the town’s tumultuous past.
The Tunstall Store, with its original 19th-century merchandise, also offers a unique glimpse into frontier life.
Lincoln was a major battleground during the Lincoln County War which was dramatized in several Hollywood movies.
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