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If you have never put Cody, Wyoming on your radar, consider this your sign. There are so many genuinely great things to do in Cody, Wyoming that most people are completely surprised by how much this town delivers on its own before you ever make it to Yellowstone.
Founded by the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody in 1896, the town sits just 50 miles east of Yellowstone National Park and is one of those places where history, wide-open landscape, and the spirit of the American West all come together in one spot. Whether you are making Cody a dedicated destination or using it as home base for a Cody to Yellowstone road trip, you are going to want more time here than you originally planned.
Part of our visit to Cody, Wyoming was hosted by Visit Wyoming but all opinions are my own.
A Quick Note on Getting to Cody, Wyoming
Reaching Cody is pretty straightforward. The closest airport is Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), just a few miles from downtown, with seasonal service that ramps up during summer. If you are flying into a larger hub, Billings Logan International Airport in Montana is about 100 miles away and gives you a beautiful drive into town. Most visitors arrive by car, and that is genuinely the best way to experience this part of Wyoming.
If you are wondering how long to spend in Cody, two to three days is a sweet spot. One day feels rushed, especially if you plan to make the Cody to Yellowstone drive. Three days gives you time to explore downtown, get outside, and actually settle into what this place has to offer.
The Best Things to Do in Cody, Wyoming
Cody is a small town that genuinely has it all, and most people who visit are surprised by just how much there is to do here. Whether you are a history lover, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone who just wants to experience the charm of a classic western town, Cody delivers.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
If you only do one thing in Cody, make it this. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a world-class museum complex that houses five distinct museums under one roof, and it is far more impressive than most people expect walking in.
The Buffalo Bill Museum covers the life and extraordinary legacy of William F. Cody himself, from his Pony Express days to his famous Wild West Show. If you have ever been even a little curious about the man behind the legend, this museum will fully deliver.
The Plains Indian Museum is one of the most thoughtfully curated collections of Plains Indian culture, history, and art you will find anywhere in the country. It is the kind of exhibit that stays with you long after you leave.
The Whitney Western Art Museum features stunning original works that capture the landscape and spirit of the West in a way that genuinely stops you in your tracks. Even if art museums are not usually your thing, this one is worth the time.
The Cody Firearms Museum holds one of the most extensive firearm collections in the world. It is fascinating even if you are not a gun enthusiast, and the historical context around each piece makes it more interesting than you might expect.
The Draper Natural History Museum brings the ecology of the greater Yellowstone region to life with immersive, beautifully designed displays. It is a great way to get oriented on the wildlife and landscape you are about to explore.
General admission tickets are valid for two days, which is completely worth it. You could spend a full day working through all five museums and still feel like you left things undiscovered. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West was one of our absolute favorite things to do in Cody, Wyoming, and it will very likely be yours too.
Old Trail Town
Old Trail Town is an open-air museum with authentic buildings and artifacts from the late 1800s, painstakingly relocated and restored to tell the story of life on the frontier. You will walk through original cabins, including ones connected to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and stand in spaces that feel genuinely untouched by time.
Open seasonally from mid-May through September, Old Trail Town sits right off US HWY 16-20-14 on the way from Cody to Yellowstone, making it an easy stop to build into your day. Give yourself at least an hour to wander and read the signs, because the stories behind each building are worth your full attention. It is genuinely one of the most memorable things to do in Cody, Wyoming for history lovers.
The Cody Gunfighter Show
This one is free, it is fun, and it happens right on the main street in front of the historic Irma Hotel every Monday through Saturday evening at 6 PM from June through late September. Arrive early to snag a good spot.
A cast of local performers reenacts the kind of Wild West showdown that made this town famous, and even if you walk in expecting it to be a little theatrical, you are going to end up fully entertained. It is a perfect way to kick off an evening in town.
Cody Nite Rodeo
Cody calls itself the Rodeo Capital of the World, and watching the Cody Nite Rodeo makes a solid case for that title. Running every evening from June through August, the rodeo features professional bull riding, bronc busting, barrel racing, and more against the backdrop of the Wyoming sky at dusk.
It is loud, it is exciting, and the energy in those stands is completely contagious. Even if rodeos are not typically your thing, this one is worth experiencing. The family-friendly atmosphere and the sheer spectacle of it make the Cody Nite Rodeo one of the most memorable things to do in Cody, Wyoming.
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Whitewater Rafting on the Shoshone River
Rafting the Shoshone River is one of those activities that people add to their Cody itinerary on a whim and then call it the highlight of their trip. The Red Rock Canyon section is the classic run, covering about five miles of Class II whitewater with dramatic canyon walls and scenery that is hard to put into words. It is accessible for most ages and ability levels, and multiple outfitters in town offer guided trips throughout the day.
Wyoming River Trips and Red Canyon River Trips are two of the most established names in the area and a solid starting point for booking. If you want something more adventurous, the North Fork section runs through the Shoshone National Forest with Class II-III rapids and sweeping mountain views that make the longer trip completely worth it.
Outdoor Things to Do in Cody, Wyoming
Cody sits at the edge of some seriously spectacular outdoor terrain, and the things to do in Cody, Wyoming extend well beyond the museums and the rodeo.
Shoshone National Forest
Just a short drive from town, Shoshone National Forest is actually the first designated national forest in the United States, which already makes it worth knowing about. It covers millions of acres of mountain wilderness with trails for every ability level, backcountry campgrounds, and scenic drives through rugged terrain that feels genuinely remote. If you want to get outside and feel small in the best possible way, this is where to do it.
Buffalo Bill State Park
Buffalo Bill State Park wraps around the Buffalo Bill Reservoir just west of town and is the kind of place that is easy to spend an entire afternoon at without meaning to. You can rent a boat, drop a line, kayak along the shoreline, or just find a picnic spot with a view of the surrounding peaks. The reservoir sits at around 5,400 feet elevation and is surrounded by mountain scenery that looks a little unreal on a clear day.
Fly Fishing
The rivers around Cody are loaded with brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout, and fly fishing here is genuinely world-class. The North Fork of the Shoshone River is a favorite stretch, and there are multiple outfitters in the area, including North Fork Anglers, that run guided half-day and full-day trips. If you have never fly fished before, a guided trip is the way to go. The guides make the whole experience way more approachable than it looks from the outside.
Horseback Riding
Exploring Wyoming on horseback is one of those experiences that sounds a little cliche until you are actually doing it, and then you completely understand the hype. Guided rides take you through backcountry terrain that looks and feels unchanged from the frontier days, with mountain views and wide-open spaces that are hard to replicate any other way. If you want to take it even further, a stay at a nearby dude ranch turns the whole thing into something you will talk about for years.
Buffalo Bill Dam
Do not drive past this one without stopping. Buffalo Bill Dam sits just a few miles west of town on the road toward Yellowstone, and the overlook gives you a view straight down into the canyon that is genuinely jaw-dropping. It takes maybe five minutes and zero effort, and it is one of those stops that people always say they are glad they made.
The Cody to Yellowstone Scenic Drive
The drive from Cody to Yellowstone is one of the most beautiful road trips you can take in the American West. The route follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River through the Wapiti Valley, passing through dramatic canyon scenery, wide-open meadows, and dense national forest before arriving at Yellowstone’s East Entrance. The whole stretch is about 52 miles and takes roughly an hour without stops, but you will want to stop. A lot.
Wildlife sightings along this corridor are common. Bison, elk, deer, and bear are all regularly spotted from the road, and the East Entrance is one of the least crowded ways into the park, which is reason enough to choose the Cody to Yellowstone route if you are approaching from the east.
If you have an extra day, the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway north of Cody is worth building into your trip. It is widely considered one of the most spectacular drives in all of Wyoming, with high mountain passes and views that are genuinely breathtaking.
Shopping and Dining in Cody, Wyoming
Sheridan Avenue is the main drag through downtown Cody, and it is one of the best things to do in Cody, Wyoming for anyone who wants to slow down and actually experience the town. The storefronts along the street range from Western wear shops and art galleries to boutiques, outfitters, and local restaurants, and the whole stretch has a lively, walkable energy that makes it easy to spend a few hours just wandering.
The Irma Hotel anchors the street and is worth stepping inside even if you are not staying there. Built by Buffalo Bill himself in 1902, it features a beautiful historic cherrywood bar and period details that make it feel like a genuine piece of the West rather than a recreation of one.
For food, Cody has a dining scene that goes well beyond what most people expect from a small Wyoming town. Chili shows up on nearly every menu and it is absolutely worth ordering. If you spot huckleberry anything, that is also a yes.
The Cody Cattle Company offers a chuckwagon dinner with Western music and cowboy entertainment that makes for a fun full evening out.
Wyoming Buffalo Company is a great stop for locally made products to bring home, and there are several galleries along the avenue where you can find Western art and handmade pieces worth browsing.
If you enjoy exploring charming downtowns on a Wyoming road trip, the downtown Sheridan area is another great stop worth adding to your itinerary before or after Cody.
Where to Stay in Cody, Wyoming
Cody has a solid range of accommodations that suit everyone from road-trippers on a budget to travelers who want a little more charm and character.
For something with history, the Irma Hotel is the obvious choice. Built by Buffalo Bill in 1902, it offers period decor, a famous cherrywood bar, and the kind of atmosphere you simply cannot replicate in a modern chain hotel. The Chamberlin Inn is another standout option, a boutique hotel that combines genuine historic character with comfortable, updated amenities and a beautiful courtyard that is hard to leave.
For travelers who prefer a familiar brand with consistent service, Cody has plenty of modern hotels and lodges in convenient locations close to the main attractions. Families and first-time visitors often find this the easiest option, especially if you are using Cody as a base for longer days out in Yellowstone.
If camping or RV travel is more your style, Buffalo Bill State Park offers campgrounds with stunning reservoir and mountain views that make waking up feel like an event. Ponderosa Campground and Cody KOA Holiday are both well-equipped options with easy access to town.
Day Trips from Cody, Wyoming
While there are plenty of things to do in Cody, Wyoming, the surrounding region opens up even more options for those with extra days to explore.
Yellowstone National Park is the obvious anchor. Plan to spend at least a full day inside the park, and prioritize the highlights: Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are the non-negotiables. Budget extra time because wildlife along the Cody to Yellowstone route regularly brings traffic to a happy standstill.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is about 90 minutes from Cody and offers dramatic canyon vistas, hiking trails, and boating on Bighorn Lake. The colorful layered cliffs and wide-open skies make it a favorite for photographers and anyone who wants a quieter outdoor experience.
Thermopolis Hot Springs is about two hours south and is home to the world’s largest mineral hot springs at Hot Springs State Park. Pair it with a stop at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center for full-size dinosaur replicas and real fossil exhibits that are genuinely impressive for all ages.
Your Wyoming Adventure Starts in Cody
Cody, Wyoming is the kind of place that earns repeat visitors, and it is not hard to see why once you experience it firsthand. The combination of genuine Western history, world-class outdoor access, a walkable downtown, and the most scenic gateway into Yellowstone makes it one of the most well-rounded stops in the American West. Give it two or three days, explore it properly, and let the Cody to Yellowstone drive be the perfect finish to an already great trip. You are going to love it out there.
