Spear-O-Wigwam Ranch, dude ranch, now a campus of Sheridan College, the Spear-O-Wigwam Mountain Campus
Spear-O-Wigwam Ranch is a guest ranch in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains comprising an octagonal main lodge and rustic log cabins. Built starting in 1924, the lodge features a rare post and purlin roof structure, while hand-built cabins are made from locally sourced logs.
Founded in 1923 by Willis and Virginia Spear as a tent camp, the ranch grew into a larger guest operation with 16 buildings. The family transitioned to tourism because traditional farming became difficult during economic hardship.
The lodge design reflects Native American influences through its octagonal shape resembling a tipi, visible to visitors walking the grounds. This blending of ranching culture with indigenous traditions shapes how the space looks and how guests experience the place today.
The ranch sits at the end of a 30-mile road in the mountains, surrounded by pine forests and rocky terrain. Visitors should prepare for variable weather and bring warm clothing, as the elevation keeps conditions cool even during summer months.
Ernest Hemingway stayed for several weeks and completed the first draft of his novel 'A Farewell to Arms' in one of the cabins. This literary connection shows how the quiet mountain setting drew world-renowned writers and supported their creative work.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
