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20 Best Places to Live the West From to Winnemucca, we’ve scoured the West to round up top picks for an authentic experience. By Kevin Carmody

How do you live the West? Interesting As our cities become even more congested, those with a question. That depends on one’s thirst for the Western way of life can still find that oasis, that perspective, and one’s relationship utopia, where livestock roams free, the air and water are with the frontier, barbed-wire fences, clean, and troubles of suburbia are temporarily put on hold. and American folklore. For some, It’s hard to define what’s authentically Western—you know living the West entails much more it when you see it. From small cities barely found on a map to than just dressing the part—and the others you can fly straight into, here, in no particular order, sure wannabes sure are easy to pick out. are a few destinations that definitely fit the bill as being It’s all about experiencing life, simplified—riding a horse, authentic Western treasures. Enjoy the ride. sleeping under the stars, and getting away from civilization.

38 April - May 2009 Americancowboy.com Tucson, Ariz. Gunnison-Crested The Old West once came alive Butte, Colo. here, starting when mining Long before becoming a ski shaped the area. Today, the Old mecca, this area thrived as Old West heritage lives on. Walk West supply towns to surround- where the stars did in Tomb- ing gold, silver, and coal mines. stone, the site of the Gunfight at Take a step back in time at the the O.K. Corral and the filming Gunnison Pioneer Museum, and of countless Hollywood movies, see the evolution of ranching such as McLintock! starring heritage through hats dating back . It’s still untamed to the late 1880s. While Gunnison out here—watch for railroad is home to the state’s longest- depots and mines, saloons, jails, running , the Cattlemen’s gunslingers and dance-hall sing- Days, just 30 minutes away is ers. Live the history on horse- Crested Butte, gateway to a back, or in the nearby towns variety of outdoor activities, such of Bisbee, Benson, and at such as trout fishing, horseback riding, places as the Folklore hiking, biking and even stargazing. Preserve and Trail Dust Town, to Laid-back and uncrowded, the name just a few. area offers nearly 2 million acres of public land.

Cheyenne, Wyo. Toppenish, Wash. You already know about the Billed as “The City of Murals and world-famous Cheyenne Fron- Museums,” this vibrant town tier Days, but ’s state with easy access to the Cascade capital offers much more. Blow Mountains and the Columbia off some steam by visiting Old River offers eye-catching visuals Number 4004 (aka Big Boy), the with Old West and Native Ameri- world’s largest steam locomotive. can tradition. The city’s pride Western entertainment and hos- and joy are 70 painted outdoor pitality takes center stage at the murals. In the summer, take a Bit-O-Wyo Ranch, such as trail horse-drawn wagon tour around rides, dinner shows and music. town to see them all. The Ameri- Cheyenne’s rich railroad heritage can Hop Museum is the only one comes alive at the Cheyenne of its kind, and the Yakima Valley Depot Museum. For a different Rail & Steam Museum is the jewel kind of horsepower, ride a trusty of the restored Toppenish Depot. steed or take a tour through a See Native American heritage at herd of buffalo at the Terry Bison the Yakama Nation Museum and Ranch. This is a classic Cultural Heritage Center and view town where one can truly step a stunning number of waterfowl back into the Old West. vel a nd tourism bo rds at Toppenish Wildlife Refuge. Gunnison-Crested te tr a Cheyenne, Wyo. Butte, Colo. a www.cheyenne.org Toppenish, Wash. www.gunnisoncrestedbutte. www.toppenish.net com Tucson, Ariz. www.visittucson.org photos courtesy st

Americancowboy.com April - May 2009 39 Stephenville, Lander, Wyo. Cowboys and cowgirls have Take a hike and get away from it flocked here for years and the all with spectacular views of the area has produced 19 world Wind River Mountains. Lander champions (PRCA and PBR) and saw its first trappers in 1811, six cowboys in the ProRodeo became a small military post Hall of Fame, including Ty in 1869, and borders the Wind Murray. A whopping 140 PRCA River Indian Reservation, so get members live in a 50-mile radius ready to powwow this summer. of Stephenville, located 70 miles Really live it up with the help of southwest of Fort Worth and Lander Llama Company, which two hours from Abilene. Why? uses a different four-legged Stephenville embodies the animal to help one experience the West—wide-open spaces, cattle, wilderness and true West. Don’t and the cowboy way of life. The forget the Pioneer Days Parade Cowboy Capital Hall of Fame and Rodeo, the oldest paid rodeo recognizes the area’s Western in the country, or “hang” out heritage. For those with a sweet at the International Climbers’ tooth, take the short drive south Festival. to Dublin’s Dr. Pepper Bottling Company and Old Doc’s Soda Shop.

Calgary, Alberta Ten days every July isn’t nearly enough cowboy for Calgary. Although the Calgary Stampede is billed as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” it’s the day-to- day life here that embodies the Ruidoso, N.M. cowboy lifestyle. For those who Before it became a resort town just want to ride, or really make nestled in the Rocky Mountains a go of it and step back in time, of southern , this Calgary delivers. Start at Fort was a battleground of the 1878 Calgary, where it all started in Lincoln County War, when 1875. Eat an authentic cowboy the notorious and meal at Homeplace Ranch and the Regulators duked it out take an easy-going, or days-long, with the owners of the county trail ride at Boundary Ranch. general store. Much remains Don’t forget Highway 22, the from that time, even today, historic Cowboy Trail, featuring such as Billy the Kid’s hideaway more than 400 miles of ranching in nearby Dowlin’s Historic Old country and nearly boundless Mill and preserved Civil War adventures. Lander, Wyo. www.landerchamber.org artifacts from Fort Stanton. Stephenville, Texas Today, Ruidoso has become a www.stephenvilletexas.org favorite of horseback riders, Calgary, Alberta www.tourismcalgary.com mountain bikers, and outdoors vel a nd tourism bo rds enthusiasts. The Lincoln te tr a a National Forest is known as the birthplace of Smokey the Bear. Ruidoso, N.M. www.ruidoso.net photos courtesy st

40 April - May 2009 Americancowboy.com Bartlesville, Okla. Dodge City, Kan. If cowboys made the West, The wildest of the early frontier then oil was the lifeblood that towns, Dodge City had law and kept most of it going. In 1897, order restored by , this frontier town in Indian , and . Territory became the site for Its rich heritage lives on today. the first commercial oil well in Cowboys still work the cattle . Frank Phillips, a barber every day at area ranches and turned bond salesman, hit the feedlots. Those who think they big time, striking 80 consecutive can do the job can visit Moore wells, and the rest is history Ranch, a short 40-mile drive away. with the creation of Phillips This is a real working ranch where Petroleum Company. Phillips’ you can help with fixing fences, former home in Bartlesville, moving a herd, or branding. Not the Frank Phillips Home, is so adventurous? Take in the now a museum maintained history at Boot H ill Museum and by the Oklahoma Historical Front Street, which preserves the Society. On the property lies the past of Dodge City and the Old Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife West, or the Dodge City Roundup Preserve, home of a variety of Rodeo each August. animal species, fine art, and Colt firearms.

Prescott, Ariz. Once a mining town and territory Prineville, Ore. capital, this city 90 miles south of The oldest incorporated city in Phoenix hasn’t forgotten its past. central got its start by Most of the downtown buildings establishing its own municipal are on the National Register railway in the early 1900s, of Historic Places, including which still runs today. Ranching Whiskey Row, once home to 40 roots run deep in the region saloons— including The Palace, with the 64-year-old Crooked frequented by Wyatt Earp, Doc River Roundup and the annual Holliday, and , among Prineville Horse Races each Dodge City, Kan. others. Prescott is home to the July. History buffs flock to the www.dodgecity.org “World’s Oldest Rodeo,” which Bowman Museum, an old stone dates back to 1888. Wild West building that showcases the traditions are celebrated at the Bartlesville, Okla. area’s legendary heritage. Top Folk Arts Fair in June and the www.visitbartlesville.com fly-fishing is barely out of town on Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering the Lower Crooked River, and the in August. Great trail rides and Prineville Reservoir State Park is campsites await nearby at a top recreational spot for those Prescott National Forest. who want to boat, swim, fish, or just picnic or camp. Prescott, Ariz. www.cityofprescott.net Prineville, Ore. www.visitprineville.com

Americancowboy.com April - May 2009 41 Ennis, Mont. Hill City, S.D. This area in the spectacular Smack dab in the middle of the Madison River Valley was first famed Black Hills, Hill City got its explored by Lewis and Clark start as a mining town. Somehow, in 1805. Today, the town of Hill City manages to straddle the Ennis remains a jewel among line between the Old West and the wilderness that’s just far the nuances of today. You can enough off the beaten path from check e-mail at one of five bed Yellowstone National Park to and breakfasts, then witness a retain its authentic charm. More gunfight (reenacted, of course), than 200 years later, there’s still ride on horseback far into the much to explore—on horseback, backcountry, or go camping. Its with rod and reel, or in hiking small-town atmosphere boasts boots. Downtown boardwalks scenic trails to go with hunting define this authentic Western or fishing. In a half hour, you can town, which is home to the be at Mount Rushmore, Wind annual Ennis on the Madison Fly Cave National Park, and the Crazy Fishing Festival and the annual Horse Memorial. Don’t forget Fourth of July Rodeo and Parade. about the 1880 Train, a vintage Step back in time by panning for steam engine. gold in nearby Virginia City and Nevada City or explore the Lewis and Clark Caverns.

Fort Robinson, Neb. A former U.S. Army fort and ’s final resting place, today is Oakdale, Calif. a state park that was declared Cowboy and ranching roots, a National Historic Landmark agriculture, and recreation nearly 50 years ago. With more are intertwined in the fertile than 22,000 acres of Pine Ridge Central valley, less than two scenery, Old West history, hours from and camping, and the park’s own a gateway to Yosemite National buffalo and longhorn herds, Fort Park. Cowboy events happen Robinson offers a well-rounded frequently, highlighted by the Western experience. Each mid-April Oakdale Saddle Club August, head to nearby Crawford Rodeo, a fixture since 1945. The and watch bikers rumble past on Oakdale Cowboy Museum their way to Sturgis, S.D., for the is housed inside the historic annual rally. Hot Springs, S.D., is Southern Pacific railroad depot, just an hour-long scenic drive and downtown is chock-full of away. You can also choose to visit antique and locally owned stores. the National Grasslands, or take a Don’t miss Oakdale’s Chocolate dip at Cascade Falls. Festival each May, then work it off in the Stanislaus River and Fort Robinson, Neb. Woodward Reservoir, which www.stateparks.com/ offer rafting, swimming, sailing, fort_robinson.html vel a nd tourism bo rds boating, and fishing. te tr a a Ennis, Mont. Oakdale, Calif. www.ennischamber.com www.oakdalechamber.com Hill City, S.D. www.hillcitysd.com photos courtesy st

42 April - May 2009 Americancowboy.com Spokane, Wash. Winnemucca, Nev. The hub of a region reaching into Beginning as a crossroads of , Montana, and Alberta, the West, this rural northern Spokane certainly knows its 4 Nevada town first functioned Rs— rodeo, riding, reining, and as a river crossing and trading ranching. Commercial wheat post. Even Johnny Cash included farming took hold in eastern Winnemucca in his song, “I’ve some 120 years Been Everywhere.” Today, ago, with farmers harvesting Winnemucca remains distinctly their fields with horse-drawn Western, proud of its hospitality, combines. Spokane celebrates and not afraid to celebrate its its heritage at the Ride the West mining, ranching, and railroad Horse and Ranch Expo, held each heritage. The Ranch Hand Rodeo May, and the Spokane County Weekend features real working Interstate Fair every September. cowboys and cowgirls who live Take the family to the Rockin’ B the ranching lifestyle every day. Ranch Cowboy Supper Show You can find a rodeo or jackpot or see the Looff Carrousel at just about every week, and Riverfront Park, a hand-carved ranches surround Winnemucca, masterpiece that turns 100 this some being run by fifth- and sixth- year and is still fully operable. generation families. Really learn about the West at the Buckaroo Hall of Fame.

Kanab, Utah Welcome to “Little Hollywood,” where more Westerns were St. Joseph, Mo. produced than anywhere “Where the West officially outside of . The Clint started getting Wild,” this hilly Eastwood classic, The Outlaw river town served as a trading Josey Wales, was among the post and general store for gold more than 100 motion pictures hunters on their journey West. that were filmed in this southern Later, the began Utah town. Today, Frontier Movie routes from St. Joseph to Town hosts free movie set tours. Sacramento, Calif., and the Pony Additional mystique resides in Express National Museum traces the Parry Lodge, where the stars that history. Tour the James kicked back while filming. Don’t Home, the actual house-turned- limit yourself to the city limits— museum where the notorious drive 90 minutes in just about any was shot and killed direction to embark on a treasure in 1882. Today, a much milder trove of national wonders, St. Joseph pays homage to its including the Grand Canyon, Western path with Trails West!, Zion Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Lake Winnemucca, Nev. an annual fine arts festival that Powell, and Pipe Springs National celebrates the cultural heritage www.winnemucca.nv.us Spokane, Wash. Monuments. of the area. www.visitspokane.com St. Joseph, Mo. Kanab, Utah www.stjomo.com www.kanabchamber.com

With so many choices for authentic towns throughout the West to feature, we couldn’t limit ourselves to just 20. Visit our Web site for links to the destinations mentioned here, and for five more picks, including Silver City, Idaho; Durango, ; and Helena, Mont. There’s more online at americancowboy.com/am09

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