Old Trail Town
4.7(1.8K)google
4.4(36)yelp
EducationalHistoric TownPioneer HistoryOld West
Overview
The Old Spanish Trail (OST) was an auto trail that once spanned the United States with almost 2,750 miles (4,430 km) of roadway from ocean to ocean. It crossed eight states and 67 counties along the southern border of the United States. Work on the auto highway began in 1915 at a meeting held at The Battle House Hotel in Mobile, Alabama; and, by the 1920s, the trail linked St.
Practical Info
Every day8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeOpen from mid-May through September. The golden hour from 5:00 PM to sunset provides the most evocative Western atmosphere, casting a dramatic warm glow on the authentic 19th-century cabins and historic wagons.
Getting ThereLocated on the western outskirts of Cody at 1831 Demaris Drive. It sits right off the Yellowstone Highway (US-14/16/20) and is just a 3-minute drive west from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
Travel Tips
- This is a fully outdoor, historic open-air site with unpaved dirt and gravel paths, lacking modern shade structures or air conditioning. Sturdy outdoor walking shoes, sun protection, and dust/wind gear are mandatory.
- This attraction operates seasonally (typically open only from mid-May to late September) and is fully closed off-season. It closes at dusk due to lack of artificial lighting; enter before 5:00 PM to secure at least 1.5 hours of daylight.
- Historic cabins and artifacts are preserved in the open without glass barriers, but touching or climbing on antique furniture and wagons is strictly prohibited. Security and staff monitor the site closely to enforce compliance.
Reviews
Positive
- These authentic historical log cabins are wonderfully preserved, making you feel instantly transported back to the real Wild West.
- Each building has a detailed written plaque explaining its background story, making it deeply historical and educational.
- The admission fee is very reasonable, and it avoids the over-commercialization of larger attractions, keeping an authentic historical feel.
- Parking is incredibly easy and the location is right off the main highway, making it a perfect quick stop on the way to Yellowstone.
Heads up
- The grounds consist entirely of rustic dirt roads and uneven wooden boardwalks, making it very difficult for wheelchairs and strollers to navigate.
- There is no air conditioning here; inside the wooden cabins, it gets as stiflingly hot as a sauna during midday in mid-summer.
- The restroom facilities are extremely basic, just portable plastic toilets, and the sanitary conditions need improvement.
- There is a lack of interactive live reenactments or guided tours; if you aren't interested in the history, it might feel a bit dry.