15 Wild West Towns Still Keeping The Frontier Spirit Alive

If you think the Wild West has ridden off into the sunset, think again! These towns are brimming with cowboy spirit, saloons, and Old West charm. Starting from reenacted conflagrations to iconic ghost towns, they’re keeping the frontier alive. Let’s saddle up and take a look at 15 towns where the Wild West never walked into the sunset!

Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone is infamous for the legendary O.K. Corral gunfight involving Wyatt Earp. Today, you can watch reenactments of the shootout and visit the historic Bird Cage Theatre. October’s Helldorado Days is a must, featuring parades and street performances. This place practically oozes Old West drama every day of the year.

Lead, South Dakota

The town’s name is almost ironic since its claim to fame was being a thriving town for gold mining. It is full of Old West history and is known for the Homestake Gold Mine. The town also puts on its yearly Gold Rush Days celebration with reenactments, a parade, and family-friendly events that capture the Wild West feel.

Dodge City, Kansas

Wild West history comes to life at Dodge City with Boot Hill Museum’s authentic saloons and shootout reenactments. Once home to infamous figures like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, this town buzzes in summer with Dodge City Days—a lively rodeo, parade, and concerts. It’s all you’d expect from the “Queen of the Cowtowns.”

Virginia City, Nevada

It used to be a bustling silver mining town where Mark Twain worked as a journalist. Today, it’s a quirky mix of old saloons and haunted buildings. For a fun visit, come in October for the Haunted Ghost Tours or the International Camel & Ostrich Races—a Wild West twist you won’t find anywhere else!

Calico, California

This is a ghost town brought back to life! Once a thriving silver mine, it’s now an attraction with mine tours, a saloon, and even a mystery shack. The annual Calico Days festival in October celebrates the town’s history with costumed reenactors, music, and games. It’s a vintage blast from the past.

Fort Worth, Texas

The Stockyards District in Fort Worth is the real deal, featuring cattle drives twice daily and a thriving rodeo scene. Walk through the historic stockyards, explore the Cowboy Hall of Fame, or catch a Wild West show. Rodeos every weekend and a cowboy celebration every January make this a year-round destination.

Cody, Wyoming

Founded by Buffalo Bill Cody himself, this town is a cowboy paradise. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West houses fascinating artifacts, and the Cody Nite Rodeo runs all summer. July is especially vibrant with the annual Cody Stampede, celebrating Independence Day with parades, rodeos, and fireworks. Cody’s all about cowboy culture.

Bandera, Texas

Known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” Bandera delivers everything from honky-tonks to rodeos. Head to the Frontier Times Museum for a slice of cowboy history or enjoy weekend rodeos throughout the summer. Bandera celebrates its cowboy roots with the annual May Cowboy Mardi Gras parade—a unique Texan twist on the Old West.

Silverton, Colorado

A remote mountain town accessible by a historic steam train, Silverton offers frontier vibes with a scenic touch. Ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for breathtaking views, then explore old saloons and the Silverton Museum. Winters are quieter, but summer visitors can catch the annual Hardrockers Holidays mining celebration.

Wickenburg, Arizona

Known as the “Team Roping Capital of the World,” Wickenberg offers rodeos, cowboy-themed events, and the Desert Caballeros Western Museum. Wickenburg is steeped in cowboy tradition and is a great place to experience cowboy culture year-round, especially during the annual Gold Rush Days rodeo.

Virginia City, Montana

Not to be confused with its Nevada namesake, Montana’s Virginia City is a preserved gold rush town where the 1860s never ended. It is possible to pan for gold, ride a stagecoach, or catch a vaudeville show. Summer is ideal for a visit, with costumed interpreters bringing frontier history to life in the charming wooden town.

Bisbee, Arizona

Being a copper mining hub, Bisbee had a mix of miners and outlaws shape its history. The Queen Mine Tour takes you deep underground, guided by retired miners. The town is a fun visit year-round, but Halloween brings a special ghostly twist with haunted tours through Bisbee’s spooky past.

Jackson, Wyoming

From its wooden boardwalks to the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson’s Old West feel mixes with rustic luxury. Visit in the winter for a cozy Wild West vibe with snowy mountain backdrops or catch the summer rodeos. Either way, Jackson’s cowboy roots shine with style in the shadow of the Tetons.

Elko, Nevada

With its National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in January (a heartfelt celebration of cowboy life) Elko is more polished than rugged. Visit the Western Folklife Center to immerse yourself in authentic cowboy culture. Known for its storytelling traditions, Elko brings a poetic side to the Wild West unlike any other town.

Kanab, Utah

Known as “Little Hollywood,” Kanab is where countless Westerns were filmed. Visit the Little Hollywood Museum for behind-the-scenes film history or hike to nearby old movie sets. Plan your visit for Kanab’s Western Legends Roundup in August, where you’ll find music, cowboy poetry, and local Western films that keep the frontier spirit alive.