Outlaws in the Hills

Bandits, Robbers and Outlaws!

Just an hour’s drive north of Casper, Wyoming is the small western town of Kaycee.  Thousands of cars and RVs pass by Kaycee everyday on Interstate 25 without so much as a thought of stopping.

Kaycee is not a vacation destination, but it is worth an overnighter or maybe a two night stay, to explore its spectacular back country.  This is the place of outlaw legends and home of the famous outlaw hideouts, Hole-In-The-Wall and Outlaw Cave.

After checking in at one of the two RV Parks in Kaycee, plan on getting an early start for a step back in time.  The RV parks offer 30 and 50 amp, water and sewer but there isn’t going to be a pool or mini-golf for the kids.  This is our history of the west and the beginning of law enforcement. 

Located on its main street, Kaycee also has a couple of gas stations, saloons and restaurants.  Don’t expect to find a McDonalds or Pizza Hut here, but you’ll find the residents friendly and the food good.

The early morning is best - especially if it's summer time - to venture into the southern end of the Big Horn Mountains.  Proceeding west from I-25 one mile on Wyo 191, you’ll turn left (south) on Wyo 190.  This paved road winds along side the cottonwood trees of the Powder River and the observant eye may spot mule deer, pronghorn antelope and turkeys feeding near its banks.  The terrain is rolling hills dotted with ponderosa pines and after sixteen miles you’ll come to a “Y” in the road where the pavement ends and your adventure really begins.

The road to the right will take you by the base of red sandstone cliffs with fallen boulders the size of dump trucks and Class C RVs.  Because of private property you’ll have to turn around after four miles, but the scenery is so spectacular you’ll enjoy the return trip.

The left gravel road takes you on eight miles of the Outlaw Trail along more red rock cliffs and ends at the Outlaw Cave Campground.  Except for the last two miles, the road is passable in a normal car, if you don’t mind a little dust and your tires kicking up a few rocks along the way.  Bare in mind, this is a public access road through private ranches and you should respect their property and not venture off the road.

The final two miles is for trucks, SUVs and jeeps only.  During the winter, November through March this part of the road will be closed due to bad road conditions.  Outlaw Cave Campground does not have any utilities except for a toilet.  There are about six campsites for tents with picnic tables and fire rings.  There is no charge for admission or camping and it’s very possible that you might not see any other people at this destination.  This journey is unspoiled by and void of the normal tourist activity like so many of our parks.

The Outlaw Cave Campground is located on the edge of a very steep and deep canyon where the caves are located.  Fallen trees killed by a recent fire made the path down to the caves impassable, but just the feeling of what it must have been like to hide out there is indescribable.  Other than the few ranches and fences you’ll pass, there is nothing else but nature’s beauty at its finest.

Before you leave Kaycee, be prepared, by making sure you have a full fuel tank, checking your spare tire and bringing sufficient water and snacks, in case you have vehicle trouble.

Upon returning to Kaycee, be sure to visit the local museum, “Footprints of the Past”.  Admission is free but they are grateful for donations.
 
Hole-In-The-Wall is on private property and was an actual escape route OVER the cliff wall and not literally a “Hole” in the wall.  Your views today are much like they were in the 1800’s when the likes of Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch made this their hideout from the law.