- Q: What is the common perception of Jackson Hole, WY?
- A: Most tourists think of Jackson Hole, WY, as the gateway to Yellowstone National Park.
- Q: What alternative does Cody, Wyoming offer?
- A: Cody offers a Wild West-style experience on the eastern side of Yellowstone National Park, providing a unique cowboy adventure.
- Q: Why should visitors spend time in Cody, WY?
- A: Visitors to Yellowstone National Park will want to spend a few days in Cody for an epic cowboy experience.
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1. Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Explore fascinating museums showcasing Western history, art, and culture.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a complex containing five museums and the McCracken Research Library in Cody, Wyoming. Visitors to the center will be able to explore over 50,000 works of art and artifacts from the American West era. The five museums housed within the center are the Plains Indian Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, and the Cody Firearms Museum. The center also features exhibitions that include Albert Bierstadt: Witness to a Changing West, Monarch of the Skies: The Golden Eagle in Greater Yellowstone & the American West, Yellowstone Discovered: William Henry Jackson’s Lost Prints Reveal the Park for America, and Native Nations Now: An Exhibition of Contemporary Native Arts.
Address: Buffalo Bill Center of the West , 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, WY, Phone: 307-587-4771
2. Bridger-Teton National Forest
Walk along scenic trails and discover breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Containing over 3.4 million acres of land in the western part of Wyoming, Bridger-Teton National Forest is the fifth largest National Forest in the United States. The entire forest is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and features tree species that include whitebark pine, aspen, subalpine fir, Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce, and lodgepole pine. The forest contains more than 2,000 miles of picturesque hiking trails that provide access to unspoiled wilderness areas, as well as interlink with Yellowstone National Park trails. Visitors can enjoy canoeing and fishing on Snake River, do a little mountain biking at the Cache Creek trailhead, or take a dip in the rejuvenating Granite Hot Springs.
Address: Bridger-Teton National Forest, 340 North Cache / P.O. Box 1888 Jackson, WY, Phone: 307-739-5500
3. Plains Indian Museum
Discover rich Native American heritage through engaging exhibits and artifacts.
Visitors will find the Plains Indian Museum situated inside of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. The museum gives patrons a glimpse into the lives of the Plains Indian people and their history, values, traditions, and culture. With the museum’s nationally significant collection of Plains Indian art, it has been a crucial leader in advocating the importance of the Native American art to the public. Also featured is the Paul Dyck Plains Indian Buffalo Culture Collection, complete with moccasins, peace medals, cradles, shields, buffalo hide tipis, tipi furnishings, bear claw necklaces, eagle feather bonnets, clothing, and much more. Visitors won’t want to miss the Plains Indian Museum Powwow held every June at the Robbie Powwow Garden.
Address: Plains Indian Museum, 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, WY, Phone: 307-587-4771
4. Cody Firearms Museum
See an extensive collection of historic firearms and weaponry.
Cody Firearms Museum is located inside of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. The museum houses one of the largest and comprehensive American firearm collection in the world. To date, the museum features over 7,000 firearms, and more than 30,000 related artifacts. Visitors will have the chance to explore the firearms evolution from its very beginning to what modern technology has made it today. The Winchester Arms Collection is the heart of the museum, but visitors will also see firearms that represent significant manufacturers from all over the world. From sporting to military to embellished to Hollywood guns, the museum has a little something for everyone.
Address: Cody Firearms Museum, 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, WY, Phone: 307-587-4771
5. Draper Natural History Museum
Explore exhibits highlighting the diverse wildlife of the Yellowstone region.
The Draper Natural History Museum resides within the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Since its inception in 2002, the Draper Museum has garnered international attention for its inspiring, informative, and immersive exhibit experiences. The museum’s exhibits are focused on the natural history and ecology of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The three, large, interconnected galleries include the Alpine-to-Plains Trail, Expedition Trailhead, and the newest addition, Monarch of the Skies: The Golden Eagle in Greater Yellowstone and the American West. Visitors will see everything from rustic cabins to visual arts to geological samples to a grand rotunda standing 90 feet tall complete with an ever-changing Yellowstone sky.
Address: Draper Natural History Museum, 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, WY, Phone: 307-587-4771
6. Cody Dug Up Gun Museum
Look at unique, unearthed firearms and discover their intriguing history.
Visitors will find Cody Dug Up Gun Museum situated just off of the city’s bustling Sheridan Avenue in downtown Cody, Wyoming. With over a thousand weapons and relic guns from different historic locations and time periods on display, visitors will have the opportunity to stroll through history as they explore the museum. These beautiful artifacts have been unearthed in locations that include the American Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the California Gold Rush era, and the roaring 1920s. One of Cody’s newest attractions, the museum has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors alike since opening its doors in 2009.
Address: Cody Dug Up Gun Museum, 1020 12th Street, Cody, WY, Phone: 307-587-3344
7. Shoshone National Forest
Hike through majestic wilderness and enjoy peaceful nature escapes.
Shoshone National Forest is comprised of nearly 2.5 million acres to the east of the Bridger-Teton National Forest in the northwestern part of Wyoming. Part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the forest contains many tree species that include cottonwood and willow at lower elevations, and lodepole pine, quaking aspen, whitebark pine, subalpine fir, and Rocky Mountain juniper at higher elevations. While exploring the forest, it isn’t uncommon to spot bighorn sheep or whitetail deer. Lucky adventurers may even catch a glimpse of a grizzly bear with her cub – hopefully from a safe distance. The forest’s picturesque, unspoiled mountains, lakes, and rivers provide the ideal setting for a variety of outdoor recreation.
Address: Shoshone National Forest, 808 Meadow Lane Avenue, Cody, WY, Phone: 307-527-6241
8. Buffalo Bill Dam
Admire engineering marvels and enjoy panoramic views of the reservoir.
Buffalo Bill Dam is an arched dam built from concrete and situated on Wyoming’s Shoshone River in northwest. Designed by Daniel Webster Cole and constructed between the years of 1905 and 1910, the dam stands 325 feet in height, and measures 200 feet in length at the crest. Visitors can walk along the top of the damn and take in beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, Shoshone River, and Buffalo Bill Reservoir. There’s a mini-theater onsite where patrons can enjoy a short film about the Dam’s construction, along with its vital importance to Buffalo Bill State Park. The Dam also provides a gift shop with souvenirs, a visitor center, and complimentary shuttle services from the parking area.
Address: Buffalo Bill Dam, 4808 North Fork Highway, Cody, WY, Phone: 307-527-6076
9. Cody Nite Rodeo
Experience thrilling rodeo action and enjoy exciting family-friendly entertainment.
Cody Nite Rodeo is a high-energy rodeo featuring bulls, broncos, and cowboys, situated along U.S. Highway 14 in Cody, Wyoming. Families living in the Rocky Mountains around Cody required horsemanship, roping, and animal taming skills in order to manage their livestock. Buffalo Bill Cody’s showmanship and entertaining twists on herding skills helped catapult the city of Cody to the “Rodeo Capital of the World.” Patrons can arrive early before the start of the rodeo and have their faces painted by rodeo clowns, get a picture taken on a live rodeo bull, learn to rope, and visit the rodeo store. Rodeo events include Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Jr. Barrel Racing, and a kid’s calf scramble.
Address: Cody Nite Rodeo, 421 West Yellowstone Avenue, Cody, WY, Phone: 307-527-9453
10. Old Trail Town
Walk through preserved frontier buildings and relive the Old West.
Old Trail Town is a museum comprised of historic Western artifacts and buildings situated just off of U.S. Highway 14 in Cody, Wyoming. Visitors will take a trip through Old Western history as they explore the museum’s buildings and artifacts that date between the years of 1879 and 1901. One of the museum’s biggest attractions is the outlaw cabin that was used by the Sundance Kid and Kid Curry as a hideout near Montana’s border. The site of the museum is actually the original area surveyed by Buffalo Bill in 1895 for the location of ‘Cody City’. Visitors will also see a cabin used by Butch Cassidy, the grave of John Johnson, and Old Western horse carriages.
Address: Old Trail Town, 1831 Demaris Drive, Cody, WY, Phone: 307-587-5302
Map:
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and wildlife emerging from winter.
Chamberlin Inn – A charming boutique hotel in downtown Cody.
Explore Yellowstone’s East Entrance – See waterfalls, wildlife, and blooming wildflowers.
Summer (June-August) – Warm weather and peak tourist season.
The Cody Hotel – A luxurious stay with Western-style decor.
Attend the Cody Nite Rodeo – Experience authentic Western rodeo culture.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air and stunning fall foliage.
Irma Hotel – A historic hotel built by Buffalo Bill himself.
Drive the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway – Enjoy breathtaking autumn landscapes.
Winter (December-February) – Cold and snowy, ideal for a quiet retreat.
K3 Guest Ranch – A rustic and cozy Western-style lodge.
Snowmobile or Take a Winter Tour of Yellowstone – Experience the park’s geysers and wildlife in a unique winter setting.
Plan Your Trip
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