Bighorn Mountain views and ample outdoor recreation in Buffalo
At the base of the Bighorn Mountains, among miles of open fields and farmland, Buffalo is a rural, Johnson County town with a charming downtown district reminiscent of the Old West. “We sit right at the foothills of the mountains,” says Amber Eggers, a local real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. “It's the perfect location for all things outdoors, whether it be fishing, hiking or camping.” Aspen trees and cottonwoods line the community’s lanes, with quiet residential streets sitting just a short drive from popular hikes and camping areas. Around 35 miles south of Sheridan, Buffalo is a quiet town with easy access to Interstates 25 and 90. “The Longmier book and Netflix series has put us on the map in recent years,” says Eggers. Author Craig Johnson based the setting of his western mystery series on the town, and the show features Main Street’s Busy Bee Cafe.
Century-old cottages and brand-new builds
The ranch-style homes, cottages and farmhouses of Buffalo were largely built in the early-to-mid 1900s, with a few 1980s to 2000s builds throughout. Houses near the center of town sit close together on quarter to half-acre lots, with more spacious properties on the outskirts of the community. The Preserve at Fort McKinney subdivision is in the west end of Buffalo and has brand-new, craftsman and modern-traditional-style homes ranging from $450,000 to $730,000. Older builds near downtown can go for $210,000 to $630,000, while those on the outskirts of town on larger properties range from $650,000 to $890,000. The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Career exploration in Buffalo's public schools
Meadowlark Elementary School serves kindergarten through second-grade students and earns a B-plus grade from Niche, while Cloud Peak Elementary receives a B-minus and serves third-through-fifth graders. Clear Creek Middle School earns an A-minus. The C-plus-rated Buffalo High School offers a selection of career and technical education courses in business, woodworking and agriculture. The high school also partners with Sheridan College for around a dozen concurrent enrollment courses.
Historic architecture and a close-knit community
Historic storefronts line Buffalo’s Main Street, some dating back to the late 19th century, with murals, wagon wheels and buffalo statues, a nod to the Old West era. "We have a really close-knit, small-town community here,” says Eggers. “Everyone knows their neighbors, and people come together to help each other in hard times. We had some pretty bad fires last year and the community came together to raise over $200,000 dollars to help locals in need. There’s also a great atmosphere here for local businesses. Most people will shop local before heading into Sheridan do their shopping.”
Businesses range from antique stores and clothing boutiques to art galleries. Wyoming in Color sells local artwork, including paintings, pottery and knitted goods. Main Street Diner serves brunch fare from biscuits and gravy to steak and eggs in a casual atmosphere. Across the street, The Virginian Restaurant is located in the historic Occidental Hotel and offers western-inspired dishes, with walls adorned with decor from the hotel’s early days, when it hosted notable guests like Theodore Roosevelt, “Buffalo” Bill Cody and Ernest Hemmingway. DJ’s Grocery and Variety and Lynn’s Superfoods are the local options for groceries.
Buffalo sports facilities and Bighorn hiking and camping
Washington Park lies just south of downtown Buffalo and is home to a roller hockey rink, tennis courts, a playground and a community swimming pool. Walkers and bikers can access the Clear Creek Trail System from the park, which spans east to Mountain Plains Heritage Park and west to the Grouse Mountain trailhead. The Buffalo Golf Club is a short drive north and is home to an 18-hold public course and a laid-back restaurant. The community sits on the southeastern edge of the Bighorn Mountain Range and is just a short drive from numerous camping and hiking areas, including the Grouse Mountain Trail and the Circle Park Campground.
Access to interstates 90 and 25
Interstate 90 spans roughly 35 miles north to Sheridan, while Interstate 25 can take drivers around 115 miles south to Casper. There are regional airports in Sheridan and Casper, but the nearest major airport is Billings-Logan International, located around 165 miles northwest.
Written By
Jillian Pillow
