Tourist attraction barely past Wyoming line is a taste of the Old West

Photos and Story by David Young

If you are feeling the need for a western experience this summer, take a day and head to the Colorado-Wyoming border where the Terry Bison Ranch Resort offers visitors close encounters with the Old West. The adventure includes riding a train, feeding bison, riding a horse or pony, fishing and a steakhouse to round out the day.

The ranch features a family-friendly escape for a day visit or overnight fun, with cabins, RV, and camping spots. And while the bison are the main draw, there are plenty of other activities on the ranch, from alpacas and ostriches to hand-led horse rides.

Owner Dan Thiel said he thought it would be a great idea to start a company that would allow people to “get up close and personal” with the great North American bison. The Thiel family bought the historic ranch composed of 27,500 acres in 1991.

Today, Thiel runs the bison experience on 300 acres of property, and allows visitors to enjoy the bison and other animals alongside all the amenities. The location can also handle company retreats and large family gatherings.

A Historic Venue

The property’s rich history includes a 1903 visit from President Theodore Roosevelt. The 26th president stayed at the Terry Bison Ranch while on a trip to explore the western U.S.

“Even then it was a spectacular venue for people to gather,” Thiel said. “The ranch is an ideal location. Only an hour and a half away is the Denver airport, making guest arrivals from out of town close enough to travel without breaking the bank. The ranch sits on the Wyoming/Colorado border, only 9 miles outside of Cheyenne.”

The ranch started the bison tours in 1994, when wagons were used to haul people around. The bison were so large and strong that they would tip the wagons over, so they started using buses instead. In 2004, the idea to use a train was born, which allows tourists to enjoy the bison up close and personal, Thiel said.

Stay & Play

In addition to the Old West family adventure, there is a healthy dose of education offered, explaining the culture and history of the area.

The train is known as the Terry Rail Express, or TRX. The ranch offers four tours a day on the custom-made trains.

In addition, there is a pond stocked with fish and pony rides are available for kids. The Trading Post gift shop will keep the young ones entertained with toys and games.

Thiel said there is overnight horse boarding available, and the Wyoming School of Horseshoeing will provide a deeper dive into the equine world.

When the crew gets hungry, the Senator’s Grill steakhouse serves up Western favorites, such as prime rib and bison burgers. The Brass Buffalo Saloon in the steakhouse is a great stop for those looking for a local beer or whiskey, such as Wyoming Whiskey. There is also a food truck for quick meals as well.

For those planning to stay the night, the Terry Bison Ranch has cabins that will sleep up to four people, including kitchenettes. Campers and RVers are also welcome.

Terry Bison Ranch is located on the Colorado/Wyoming state line, not far off Interstate 25. Exit 2 will take visitors to Terry Ranch Road.

“We are a one-stop shop,” Thiel explained. “Yes, the bison are the main attraction, but we are a day trip facility and we also have an RV park and nightly and monthly cabins.”