The Westerns That Once Ruled Television Every Single Week
Long before streaming took over, westerns dominated television. Families gathered around every week to watch sheriffs, cowboys, outlaws, and pioneers settle problems the old-fashioned way. Some became household names, while others slowly rode off into television history.
Saddle up—here are the 25 best classic western TV shows of the 1960s, ranked from great to legendary.
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#25. Laredo
Premiering in 1965, Laredo followed four Texas Rangers keeping law and order along the Mexican border after the Civil War. Unlike many serious westerns, this one leaned into comedy whenever it could. It mixed gunfights with laughs, making it one of the decade's most entertaining hidden gems.
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#24. The Big Valley
Barbara Stanwyck starred as Victoria Barkley, the tough matriarch of a wealthy California ranching family. Premiering in 1965, The Big Valley balanced family drama with classic western action. Stanwyck often stole every scene, proving you definitely didn't want to argue with the woman running the ranch.
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#23. The Tall Man
Barry Sullivan portrayed Sheriff Pat Garrett while Clu Gulager played Billy the Kid in this fictional take on two famous western figures. Airing from 1960 to 1962, the show mixed historical inspiration with plenty of television-sized adventure.
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#22. Temple Houston
Jeffrey Hunter starred as frontier lawyer Temple Lea Houston, the real-life son of Texas hero Sam Houston. Debuting in 1963, the series focused more on courtroom battles than shootouts, proving that sometimes a sharp argument could be just as dangerous as a six-shooter.
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#21. The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters
Based on Robert Lewis Taylor's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this 1963 series followed a father and son traveling west during the Gold Rush. A young Kurt Russell appeared as Jaimie, giving audiences an early glimpse of a future Hollywood star.
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#20. Hondo
Based on Louis L'Amour's novel and the John Wayne film, Hondo starred Ralph Taeger as cavalry scout Hondo Lane. Premiering in 1967, it featured conflicts between settlers, Native Americans, and soldiers while delivering the action western fans expected every week.
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#19. The Dakotas
This short-lived 1963 series followed four deputy marshals maintaining law across the Dakota Territory. Produced by D Powell, it featured gritty stories that pushed television standards of the time. It lasted only one season but left a strong impression.
Screenshot from The Dakotas, Warner Bros. Television (1962–1963)
#18. The Westerner
Brian Keith starred as drifter Dave Blassingame in this critically acclaimed 1960 series. Although it survived just one season, many television historians still consider it one of the finest westerns ever produced thanks to its realistic storytelling.
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#17. Branded
Chuck Connors played Jason McCord, a cavalry officer falsely accused of cowardice and stripped of his rank. Premiering in 1965, the series followed his search to restore his honor. Every episode reminded viewers that clearing your name wasn't exactly a quick afternoon project.
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#16. The Virginian
Running from 1962 to 1971, The Virginian became television's first 90-minute western series. James Drury starred as the mysterious ranch foreman known only as 'The Virginian.' The longer episodes allowed for deeper characters and stories than most westerns of the era.
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#15. Cimarron Strip
Stuart Whitman played Marshal Jim Crown in this ambitious 90-minute western that debuted in 1967. Despite lasting only one season, its movie-quality production values made it one of television's most impressive westerns.
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#14. Wagon Train
Although it began in the late 1950s, Wagon Train remained enormously popular throughout much of the 1960s. Each episode followed pioneers heading west, with famous guest stars appearing almost every week. It was basically the western version of a traveling hotel.
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#13. Bonanza
The Cartwright family became one of television's most beloved families after Bonanza premiered in 1959. Throughout the 1960s, Ben, Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe handled ranch life, family problems, and plenty of outlaws around Nevada's Ponderosa Ranch.
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#12. The Rifleman
Chuck Connors became famous as Lucas McCain, a widowed rancher raising his son while carrying one of television's most recognizable rifles. The show's heartwarming father-son relationship made it much more than just another western.
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#11. Death Valley Days
Hosted during part of the decade by Ronald Reagan, Death Valley Days dramatized real stories from the American frontier. Every episode introduced viewers to colorful characters, surprising historical events, and enough desert scenery to make everyone appreciate air conditioning.
#10. Daniel Boone
Fess Parker traded his coonskin cap from Davy Crockett for another legendary frontiersman. Premiering in 1964, Daniel Boone blended history with adventure, becoming one of the decade's biggest family favorites.
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#9. Rawhide
Before Clint Eastwood became a movie legend, he spent years playing Rowdy Yates on Rawhide. The series followed cattle drovers facing dangerous trails, unpredictable weather, and enough stampedes to keep everyone wide awake.
#8. The High Chaparral
Premiering in 1967, this Arizona-based western centered on ranch owner John Cannon as he navigated conflicts with Apache tribes, neighboring ranchers, and his own family. Beautiful scenery and strong storytelling helped it become a fan favorite.
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#7. Gunsmoke
James Arness spent twenty seasons as Marshal Matt Dillon protecting Dodge City. During the 1960s, Gunsmoke became one of television's biggest hits, proving that one determined lawman could somehow solve almost everyone's problems before the credits rolled.
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#6. Bat Masterson
Gene Barry brought charm and style to legendary lawman Bat Masterson. Unlike many dusty cowboys, Bat usually looked like he had just stepped out of a tailor shop, proving you could fight outlaws without getting dirt on your suit.
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#5. Have Gun – Will Travel
Richard Boone starred as Paladin, a sophisticated gun-for-hire who preferred solving problems with intelligence before reaching for his revolver. His business card became one of television's most recognizable props.
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#4. Maverick
James Garner made Bret Maverick unlike almost every other western hero. He preferred poker tables over gunfights whenever possible and relied on wit more than violence. Somehow, things usually worked out anyway.
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#3. Wanted: Dead or Alive
Steve McQueen became a breakout star as bounty hunter Josh Randall, carrying his unforgettable sawed-off Winchester rifle. Randall chased dangerous fugitives while quietly becoming one of television's coolest characters.
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#2. The Lone Ranger
Although it originally premiered years earlier, reruns remained enormously popular throughout the 1960s. Clayton Moore's masked hero and his faithful companion Tonto introduced an entirely new generation to one of television's greatest western legends.
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#1. The Wild Wild West
No western quite matched the creativity of The Wild Wild West. Robert Conrad starred as Secret Service agent James West, blending western action with gadgets, spies, and larger-than-life villains. It was part cowboy adventure, part James Bond, and somehow it all worked brilliantly.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Final Thoughts
The 1960s truly belonged to television westerns. They created unforgettable heroes, launched major careers, and gave families an hour of adventure every week. Even decades later, many of these classics still ride tall as some of the greatest westerns television has ever produced.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
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