Fort Phil Kearny, one of the three forts built as the U.S. Army moved north to protect immigrants on the Bozeman Trail, is located at the foot of the Big Horns which was then Crow land. This, the largest stockade post of its time, and was under daily attack by Lokota and Cheyenne warriors during its brief two year existence.  Fort Phil Kearny is a very short distance from Rafter Y Ranch.

Fetterman Monument - On December 21, 1866, Captain W. J. Fetterman and 80 men, including two civilians, were lured over Lodge Trail Ridge, where they were ambushed and killed by 2,000 Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors. Crazy Horse, who would become better known in later years, was instrumental in setting the successful trap for Fetterman and his command. This was the worst defeat suffered by the U.S. military at the hands of the Indians until ten years later at the Little Big Horn.

Wagon Box Fight - On August 2, 1876, Captain Powell and 31 other soldiers were able to withstand a large Indian attack led by Red Cloud and his nephew. The woodcutting detail had been recently supplied with the newly converted Springfield breech loading rifles. This new firearm technology and the protection provided by the circled wagon boxes were influencing factors in this famous battle.

Hole-in-the-Wall and Outlaw Cave - The Hole-in-the-Wall is closely associated with such names as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and the Wild Bunch along with other lesser known outlaws who frequented this area of southern Johnson County while evading the law. The entire area west of Kaycee is referred at as the Hole-in-the-Wall Country. The Hole-in-the-Wall area is characterized by spectacular red rock buttes and wide open spaces.

Indian Rock Art Cave - Located on BLM lands. There are 17 motifs of late prehistoric fine line work. A large warrior picture plus others are visible on the ceiling of the cave.

Jim Gatchell Museum and Hoofprints of the Past Museum - Many historical artifacts and other displays can be seen at the Jim Gatchell Museum in Buffalo, Wyoming and the Hoofprints of the Past Museum in Kaycee, Wyoming.  The Jim Gatchell Museum recently received the designation as a nationally accredited small museum.

Custer Battlefield - Rafter Y Ranch is within an hour's drive to the Custer Battlefield, which is located on the Crow Indian Reservation, 36 miles from Sheridan, Wyoming and 71 miles from Buffalo, Wyoming.

Sheridan, Wyoming is home to the Trails End Historic site and the King Ropes Museum.