Smith Mansion
- Admission
- Free (exterior viewing only)
- Hours
- Closed to the public (exterior visible 24/7 from the highway)
- Duration
- 10-15 minutes
- Parking
- Informal roadside pullout off the highway
- Access
- Viewable from vehicle or roadside pullout
This towering, whimsical wooden structure is a monument to obsessive creation. Hand-built by local builder Lee Smith using logs he harvested himself, this fascinating 'crazy house' stands empty and incomplete in the Wapiti Valley, sparking the imagination of every passing traveler.
Read more
Rising like a whimsical, wooden fortress out of the Wapiti Valley, the Smith Mansion is one of Wyoming's most eccentric architectural wonders. Local builder Francis Lee Smith began constructing this sprawling, multi-story log structure in the early 1970s as a home for his family, working without any official blueprints. Over the decades, it evolved into a towering maze of staircases, balconies, and odd angles built entirely from local timber.
The mansion’s construction came to a tragic halt in 1992 when Smith fell to his death while working on one of the upper balconies. Left unfinished, the structure stood abandoned for years, capturing the imagination of travelers heading toward Yellowstone National Park. Today, it stands as a monument to one man's obsessive creative vision and remains a beloved subject for photographers.
While the interior is generally closed to the public due to safety concerns, the exterior is easily visible from the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway. Its silhouette against the rugged Wyoming sky offers a striking, almost surreal contrast to the natural beauty of the surrounding Shoshone National Forest.
Ratings
attractionVisitor Tips
- ◆ Keep your camera ready as you drive along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, as the mansion is highly visible from the road.
- ◆ Pull over safely in designated turnouts to take photos rather than stopping on the shoulder of the busy highway.
- ◆ Visit during the golden hour just before sunset to capture the weathered wood glowing against the mountain backdrop.
Heads Up
- ◆ The mansion is private property and structurally unsafe; do not attempt to trespass, climb, or enter the building.
- ◆ Be cautious of fast-moving traffic when pulling off and back onto the highway.
Common questions
Can you go inside the Smith Mansion?
No, the interior of the Smith Mansion is closed to the public because the structure is unsafe and located on private property. Visitors must view and photograph the building from outside the property boundaries.
Where is the best place to park to see the Smith Mansion?
There is no official parking lot, but visitors can pull off safely onto the shoulder of U.S. Highway 14/16/20 (Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway) to view it. Do not attempt to drive up the private driveway or bypass the gates.
Who built the Smith Mansion and why?
The mansion was hand-built by local engineer and builder Francis Lee Smith as a home for his family. He worked on it continuously as an obsessive hobby for nearly three decades until he passed away from a fall while working on the roof in 1992.