Our Legendary Wild West History
For decades, the Royal Gorge Ranch and Resort location was the setting for classic western films such as John Wayne’s Cat Ballou, True Grit, and The Cowboys. Entire generations grew up looking at these landscapes on the Hollywood silver screen, which created a picture of what the wild west was in our minds.
This area, known as Buckskin Joe, maintained some of the past movie set buildings and became a local and tourist pilgrimage. Professional actors and cowboys re-enacted shoot-outs daily.
Eventually, the operation closed, the property was sold, and its buildings were transported elsewhere. Years passed by, and the land grew quiet waiting for its next call to adventure—The Royal Gorge Ranch and Resort.
