Johnson County

Community Events

Buffalo and Kaycee have the feel of small towns, while at the same time offering dynamic community life. In addition to a wide range of recreational activities in all seasons for all ages, Buffalo's annual events calendar is punctuated with festivities. The community hosts the Lighted Christmas Parade and Chili Feed to kick of the holidays, a Halloween party for families in the downtown square, and Oktoberfest as fall begins.

In the spring and summer, Johnson county is home to rodeos, golf tournaments, and live music. The annual Big Horn Music Festival attracts bluegrass and folk music fans from all over the nation, with a full 3-day schedule of bands, workshops, food, prizes, and city-wide dance parties. Get more info about the Festival here.

Johnson County Schools

Wyoming invests heavily in its schools, and its investment is visible in Buffalo and Kaycee. With a general fund budget of approximately $19.4 million, Johnson County School District #1 serves approximately 1,260 students in the progression through 4 schools. Buffalo High School boasts a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1 and a rating of nine out of ten on greatschools.com. Parents and other community members support the schools through the active Buffalo Backers program. A state-of-the-art elementary school is under construction, and will be up and running for the 2013-2014 school year. Get more info about Johnson County Schools here.

Location and Climate

Location

In Northern Wyoming, among the Bighorn Mountains in the heart of Johnson County lies the towns of Buffalo and Kaycee. With close proximity to both Montana, Yellowstone Park, and the junction of I-25 and I-90, residents enjoy the convenience of small town western life as well as world-class outdoor beauty.

Nearby Cities: 

• Story, WY
• Sheridan, WY
• Billings, MT
• Kaycee, WY
• Cheyenne, WY
• Billings, MT
• Denver, CO

Climate

• Elevation: Buffalo 4,645, Kaycee 4,660
• Average Temperature: January 36.0, July  85.0
• Humidity: 48%
• Precipitation:  Average 13.29'', Average snowfall - 33.3''
• Sunshine Days: 252
• Prevailing Winds: N/NW
• Average Growing Days: 115

Recreation

Buffalo sits at the foot of the spectacular Big Horn Mountains, a recreational mecca in all seasons. An extensive network of trails and camp sites are available for hikers, mountain bikers, and campers, and sportsmen will find all varieties of fish and game.

In the winter, the Big Horns boast skiing, snowboarding, and some of the best snowmobiling in the nation. Find more information about the Big Horn lifestyle here.

Lake DeSmet, located just north of Buffalo, is popular for boating and water skiing. Featuring fully-equipped campsites, the lake offers trails for backpacking, day hikes, nature walks, and horseback riding.

In town, Washington Memorial Park offers the region's largest outdoor swimming pool in the region, including a kids' waterpark and full-time lifeguards. Tennis courts, picnic tables, and a creek contribute to the park's character.

The newly-opened sports complex is already becoming a state-wide destination for tournaments on its numerous soccer fields and baseball diamonds.

Buffalo offers many other family-friendly facilities that include a bowling alley, a miniature golf course, and an ice-skating rink. TheBuffalo Golf Club offers a well-groomed 18 holes.

The Johnson County YMCA is the largest per capita in the state, offering amenities usually found in much larger communities! Its programs include group exercise classes, sports leagues for youth and adults alike, swimming lessons, and regular races, ranging from 5Ks to ultra-marathons. 
In addition to its small-town, neighborly feel, Johnson County offers active families and adults a wide range of opportunities, bringing together the best of both worlds!