In addition to Oklahoma City, there are several other places you can experience the Western Trail.
Hop into history at one of these entry points of the Western Trail — the historic trail which handled more cattle than all the other trails combined, lasted the longest, stretched the farthest, and helped to create ranches all across the West.
San Antonio, Texas
At the top-ranked, riverside Witte Museum you can peruse artifacts, portraits, and biographies of real Texas cowboys who worked on the cattle trails in the George West Trail Drivers Gallery. Don’t miss the Trail Drivers Monument in the courtyard, designed by the creator of Mount Rushmore.
Rear View, Albert’s Saloon, San Antonio, Texas, February 1921 (PHOTOGRAPHY: Gerald J. McIntosh Papers, Dickinson Research Center, H.116.015.07).
Fort Griffin, Texas
Established in 1867, this U.S. Cavalry fort is an archaeological site today and home to the state’s official herd of longhorns. Tour the fort ruins by foot or golf cart on a guided tour that includes the remains of a nearby Wild West town that was a ramshackle rendezvous for cowboys, gamblers, outlaws, and buffalo hunters.
Dodge City, Kansas
A visit to Dodge City feels like stepping into the Wild West, and the Western Cattle Trail Association will hold its 150th anniversary conference here November 1 – 2, 2024, at the recently expanded and renovated Boot Hill Museum. Listen to presentations on the last cattle drive, the Northern Cheyenne, and trail songs with Michael Martin Murphey.
Map of the “Great” Western Trail (PHOTOGRAPHY: Ross MacDonald).
Fort Robinson, Nebraska
This former military post is now a National Historic Landmark where you can book accommodations in the officer’s quarters, which date from 1874 to 1909. Admire the buffalo herd, explore historical buildings like a blacksmith shop and guardhouse, and enjoy beautiful scenery (plus chuckwagon dinners and campfire sing-alongs for the kids).
Deadwood, South Dakota
The notorious den of iniquity retains its devil-may-care joie de vivre with plenty of saloons and gambling halls tucked inside the Old West architecture — there’s even a brothel museum. Discover the town’s rough-and-tumble history at the Adams Museum and be sure to pay your respects to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, both buried on a hill above the town.
“A mess scene” from a roundup in Dakota territory, 1887 (PHOTOGRAPHY: John C. H. Grabill, Dickinson Research Center, Photographic Study Collection, 2005.278.2).
Discover the history behind The Western Trail here.
From our November/December 2024 issue.