Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, known as Scout's Rest Ranch, is a living history state park located west of North Platte, Nebraska. The ranch was established in 1878 with an initial purchase of 160 acres south of the Union Pacific tracks by William (Buffalo Bill) Cody. The 4,000 acre ranch was sold in 1911 and has been under the management of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission since 1964. The 25 acre historic state park, deemed a National Historic Landmark in 1978, is open weekdays from April to October. The house and outbuildings can be toured, including a museum documenting Cody’s life from a Pony Express rider to his Wild West shows.
In 1877 Cody contacted Major Frank North, the leader of the Pawnee Scouts, who was living in Sidney, Nebraska. Cody founded the Cody-North Partnership with the North brothers to form a cattle business. North found land along the Dismal River, 65 miles north of North Platte, on which cattle could graze and a ranch could be built. Cody continued touring his “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West” show while North purchased cattle at the north end of the Texas cattle trail, near Ogallala, Nebraska. North hired cowboys to help operate the ranch while Cody was on tour. Use our North Platte holiday maker to visit Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park on your trip to North Platte, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby.
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Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park reviews
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It was nice to walk around the property, the barn and house. Most of furnishings in the home are original. Loved viewing all the photos and learning more about the family and friends. We enjoyed...
It was nice to walk around the property, the barn and house. Most of furnishings in the home are original. Loved viewing all the photos and learning more about the family and friends. We enjoyed... more »
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I missed seeing this house the last time I was here because it opens Thursday to Sunday. It is a great house to tour. The house was built around 1885. They give you a small tour book that explains..... more
I missed seeing this house the last time I was here because it opens Thursday to Sunday. It is a great house to tour. The house was built around 1885. They give you a small tour book that explains..... more »
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Absolutely Amazingly Beautiful. 😍 Definitely a must see.. We parked for like 5 or 6 dollars and got to see Buffalo 🐃 and a beautiful old cabin and The Horse Stables 🐎 . 5-STARS 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
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Beautiful historic place! We stopped by on a day it wasn’t open but wow what a well cared for home and buildings.
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