Skip to main content

Buffalo Bill Ranch

State Historical Park

2921 Scouts Rest Ranch Rd | North Platte, NE 69101-8444

Home of famed showman scout William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park at North Platte recaptures the life and career of the famed Pony Express rider, Army scout and buffalo hunter-turned-showman. Since it became a state historical park in 1965, the house and barn have been restored and a wealth of Cody memorabilia has been acquired and placed on display. The mansion is open to the public for self-guided tours from late spring until early fall. The park grounds are open 8 a.m. to sunset year round.

Features

  • Hiking
  • Museum
  • Picnicking

History

William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was born Feb. 26, 1846, in Iowa. At age 7, his family moved to Kansas, where they were among the first settlers. At age 9, Cody started working for Russell, Majors and Waddell, a freighting firm out of Kansas that also started the Pony Express. He later served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Following the war, Cody earned his nickname “Buffalo Bill” while supplying buffalo meat for the Kansas Pacific Railway. By the mid-1880s, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show was in full swing, touring the United States and Europe. The success of the show enabled Cody to build “The Mansion on the Prairie”, as the locals called it. The Second Empire-style house was the largest house in North Platte in the late 19th Century. It was Buffalo Bill’s home from 1886 to 1913. He raised cattle and purebred stallions on his 4,000 acres of land. A large barn was built in 1887 to house Cody’s ranch horses and stallions.

Attractions

The mansion was built in 1886, when Cody’s Wild West Show was drawing huge crowds, and money for development of the ranch and Cody’s other interests was plentiful. No expense was spared in building and furnishing the ranch, and visitors will see many interesting features. Self-guided tours are available from late spring until early fall.

The barn, along with several outbuildings, has also been preserved and filled with memorabilia from Cody’s days as a performer, as well as artifacts of ranch life.


Mansion and barn hours
  • May 3 to Oct. 31: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
  • Guided tours by appointment year-round
Admission
  • Adults (13 & up): $4
  • Children 3-12: $1
  • 2 and under: Free

A park entry permit is required and may be purchased at the park, statewide Game and Parks offices and permit vendors or in advance of your arrival online at GoOutdoorsNE.com.

Fishing, guided trail rides, and rental of kayaks, canoes, tubes and tanks and are available on the adjacent Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area, as are camping and picnicking facilities.

Nearby Lake Maloney State Recreation Area and Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area both offer great fishing and other outdoor recreation opportunities. The Golden Spike Tower in North Platte offers a view of the largest railroad switch yard in the world. Nearby North Platte offers dining, shopping and a chance to learn about the world-famous North Platte Canteen at the Lincoln County Historical Museum.

Rent a facility

Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park facilities are available to rent for your activity or wedding.

Contact Us

2921 Scouts Rest Ranch Rd
North Platte, NE 69101-8444

Park Pricing

A park entry permit is required to visit state parks and may be purchased at the park, statewide Game and Parks offices and permit vendors, or in advance of your arrival online. View those fees, as well as attraction and amenity pricing.

Park Events

Our 76 gorgeous state park and recreations areas host a plethora of events throughout the year. From bird hikes to kayak races, Living History events to family outdoor days, our parks host something fun for every outdoor enthusiast.