Wyoming’s storied past includes legend after legend of cattle rustlers, outlaws, and famous renegades that took advantage of the wide open country and rugged mountain landscape. Read about the world’s most famous outlaw hideout in Wyoming, and plan a visit when you have the time to get out and explore the true history of the Wild West.
Way up in Johnson County in a string of bluffs and mountains, a canyon pass split its way through the Big Horn Mountains and became one of the most legendary outlaw hideouts of all time.
Wikimedia Commons This remote outlaw hideout in Wyoming was far from any town, and required some knowledge of the area to track it down. Today, a sign points it out to visitors - making it less of a secret spot now.
In the late 1800s, outlaws called this remote canyon and mountain pass their home. Kid Curry, Black Jack Ketchum, and Butch Cassidy’s gang used this as their own safe retreat.
Flickr / BLM Wyoming
The hideout gets its name from a hole in the Red Wall. It made for an escape route, and a place to herd stolen cattle and horses to throw authorities off the trail.
Flickr / BLM Wyoming
The sweeping panoramic views from the top of the canyon provided an excellent lookout spot, so the outlaws had a jump on anyone trying to track them.
Flickr / BLM Wyoming
Thanks to the BLM and state of Wyoming, there’s a foot trail and primitive backcountry campground here, so modern outlaws can enjoy Butch Cassidy’s own little retreat.
Flickr / BLM Wyoming
Get directions to this Johnson County landmark and learn more about the Hole in the Wall Foot Trail and backcountry camping here: BLM Wyoming.
Wikimedia Commons
This remote outlaw hideout in Wyoming was far from any town, and required some knowledge of the area to track it down. Today, a sign points it out to visitors - making it less of a secret spot now.
Flickr / BLM Wyoming
If you love hearing stories of the past, read about the escapades of Butch Cassidy’s sidekick, the Sundance Kid, and how One Of America’s Most Infamous Outlaws Got His Name From This Small Wyoming Town.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
outlaw hideout in Wyoming November 25, 2020 Kim Magaraci What are the best little known attractions in Wyoming? While everyone can tell you how cool Yellowstone is and the beauty of Grand Teton, if you ask the locals, they’ll let you in on a few underrated secrets. Sinks Canyon State Park, outside of Lander, is a stunning park with a one of a kid underground river. The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is a BLM preserve that lets you walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, and Castle Gardens is a spot where you can see the artwork of those who lived in Wyoming long before American settlers made their way in. What are the most unique towns in Wyoming? Sundance is one unique town in Wyoming that’s famous in Wild West lore! Harry Alonzo Longabaugh earned his nickname Sundance Kid when he was jailed in the town. Longabaugh quickly became the right hand man of Butch Cassidy, and is now one of the best known characters of the American West. How has Wyoming changed over the years? Wyoming was once part of the Wild West, a place where Indigenous people took a stand against invaders who broke treaty after treaty and stole acre after acre of land. As Wyoming was settled and divided, it became outlaw country. The vast open spaces and small population made it the perfect place for the most infamous American outlaws to carve their homes - like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Domestic wars were waged, small cattle ranchers took on corporate interests, and a fierce sense of independence was driven into those who lived here in what became known as both the Equality State - for its treatment and elevation of women in a political sense - and the Cowboy State - for obvious reasons. Today, Wyomingites still live with a strong sense of independence, and there are efforts to help spread the “Equality State” mentality to the people who lived here first slowly picking up steam. You won’t find too many outlaws hiding in the canyons anymore, though.
The OIYS Visitor Center
outlaw hideout in Wyoming
November 25, 2020
Kim Magaraci
What are the best little known attractions in Wyoming? While everyone can tell you how cool Yellowstone is and the beauty of Grand Teton, if you ask the locals, they’ll let you in on a few underrated secrets. Sinks Canyon State Park, outside of Lander, is a stunning park with a one of a kid underground river. The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is a BLM preserve that lets you walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, and Castle Gardens is a spot where you can see the artwork of those who lived in Wyoming long before American settlers made their way in. What are the most unique towns in Wyoming? Sundance is one unique town in Wyoming that’s famous in Wild West lore! Harry Alonzo Longabaugh earned his nickname Sundance Kid when he was jailed in the town. Longabaugh quickly became the right hand man of Butch Cassidy, and is now one of the best known characters of the American West. How has Wyoming changed over the years? Wyoming was once part of the Wild West, a place where Indigenous people took a stand against invaders who broke treaty after treaty and stole acre after acre of land. As Wyoming was settled and divided, it became outlaw country. The vast open spaces and small population made it the perfect place for the most infamous American outlaws to carve their homes - like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Domestic wars were waged, small cattle ranchers took on corporate interests, and a fierce sense of independence was driven into those who lived here in what became known as both the Equality State - for its treatment and elevation of women in a political sense - and the Cowboy State - for obvious reasons. Today, Wyomingites still live with a strong sense of independence, and there are efforts to help spread the “Equality State” mentality to the people who lived here first slowly picking up steam. You won’t find too many outlaws hiding in the canyons anymore, though.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While everyone can tell you how cool Yellowstone is and the beauty of Grand Teton, if you ask the locals, they’ll let you in on a few underrated secrets. Sinks Canyon State Park, outside of Lander, is a stunning park with a one of a kid underground river. The Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite is a BLM preserve that lets you walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, and Castle Gardens is a spot where you can see the artwork of those who lived in Wyoming long before American settlers made their way in.
What are the most unique towns in Wyoming?
Sundance is one unique town in Wyoming that’s famous in Wild West lore! Harry Alonzo Longabaugh earned his nickname Sundance Kid when he was jailed in the town. Longabaugh quickly became the right hand man of Butch Cassidy, and is now one of the best known characters of the American West.
How has Wyoming changed over the years?
Wyoming was once part of the Wild West, a place where Indigenous people took a stand against invaders who broke treaty after treaty and stole acre after acre of land. As Wyoming was settled and divided, it became outlaw country. The vast open spaces and small population made it the perfect place for the most infamous American outlaws to carve their homes - like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Domestic wars were waged, small cattle ranchers took on corporate interests, and a fierce sense of independence was driven into those who lived here in what became known as both the Equality State - for its treatment and elevation of women in a political sense - and the Cowboy State - for obvious reasons. Today, Wyomingites still live with a strong sense of independence, and there are efforts to help spread the “Equality State” mentality to the people who lived here first slowly picking up steam. You won’t find too many outlaws hiding in the canyons anymore, though.
