Cody Yellowstone: Home of the Great American Adventure

Looking for a wild and welcoming destination for your travel group? Cody Yellowstone, Wyoming, offers unique experiences, one-of-a-kind accommodations, and fascinating learning opportunities. It’s a must-visit destination for nature lovers, history buffs, and fans of the Wild West lifestyle. Whether your group is filled with outdoor adventurers and explorers or composed of families with children, there’s something for everyone in Cody Yellowstone.

Discover the ways of the West

Cody’s founder and namesake, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, is one of history’s most famous cowboy showmen, and his town lives up to its Wild West roots to this day. Learn about the fascinating history of the American Frontier at the award-winning Buffalo Bill Center of the West. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the center was founded in 1927 and includes exhibits related to history, myths, art, Native culture, nature, and science. In 2012, NTA tour operators voted the Center of the West their Favorite Museum for Groups.  

Want to step back in time to the 1890s and see the Old West firsthand? Explore the fascinating sites of Old Trail Town & Museum of the Old West, which includes 27 preserved buildings, a historical cemetery, and Butch Cassidy’s Hole-in-the-Wall Cabin. Or witness an action-packed gunfight in front of Cody’s famous Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill in 1902. It’s a fun (and free!) re-enactment that always draws a crowd in the heart of downtown Cody. Be sure to take some time to explore the shops and historical sites of one of Wyoming’s most charming towns. Or hop on a Cody Trolley Tour, which provides an entertaining overview of the town’s many legends and colorful characters. 

For an authentic Western experience that combines a great night out with heart-pounding thrills, the one-of-a-kind Cody Nite Rodeo provides two action-packed hours of wild, family-friendly fun every night from June 1 to Aug. 31. Arrive early to meet the cowboys and bullfighters, learn to rope, and get your picture taken on Mongo the bull!

Outdoor adventures

Cody is just a short drive to America’s first—and most famous—national park. You can access Yellowstone’s most iconic sights—Old Faithful, Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, and the Grand Prismatic Spring—from Cody’s East Gate into the park. And the drive alone is worth the trip! In fact, the journey from Cody to the East Gate was once called the most scenic 52 miles in the United States by President Theodore Roosevelt.

While you’re in the land of Buffalo Bill, hop on a horse for a trail ride to enjoy the authentic transportation favored by cowboys. Or see things from an exciting aquatic vantage point on the scenic Shoshone River Canyon. Spectacular views, incredible wildlife, and thrilling rafting, kayaking, and paddleboarding are all available. Float along tranquil pools or paddle through rapids. While the Shoshone river is not “whitewater,” there are plenty of opportunities to get splashed!

Set aside some time to explore the Shoshone National Forest, which was designated as part of the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve in 1891 and was the first national forest in the United States. Take an off-road excursion to explore some of its 2.4 million acres of dynamic terrain.