Buffalo Bill Cody. Photo Courtesy of Cody Yellowstone Country.
It’s hard to believe that a place like Yellowstone National Park can close, but it does. Come mid-May, Cody’s East Gate will open — Covid-19 permitting — and most of the roads are open and yours to explore. Use Cody, Wyoming, as your basecamp while discovering Cody Yellowstone Country. You are sure to enjoy the region’s vast landscapes and roaming wildlife.
Populated by far more wildlife than humans, in this rugged corner of northwestern Wyoming it is easy to keep a safe distance from humans and wildlife alike. The most difficult part of a trip to Cody Yellowstone is choosing among the many things to do.
Here are some ideas for safely experiencing authentic Cody Yellowstone in the spring.
- Stroll Cody’s Sheridan Avenue. Visitors who listen to the free TravelStorys audio tour while strolling along Sheridan Avenue, Cody’s main street, will learn about the town’s many historic buildings.
- Climb aboard and experience a Cody Trolley Tour. Interactive and entertaining, this hour-long tour introduces passengers to the history of the town, traveling by landmarks such as the Buffalo Bill Dam and the Irma Hotel.
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Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo Courtesy of Cody Yellowstone Country.
Watch a saddle-maker create a functional work of art at an authentic saddle shop at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
- Be inspired at the Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center Honor Roll listing the names of young men who served in the war while their family members were still incarcerated at the camp.
- Shoot a Gatling Gun. Visitors to the indoor shooting range at the Cody Firearms Experience can shoot replicas of a variety of guns through history under the close supervision of dedicated instructors.
- Be awed by the region’s magnificent raptors – Get up close to owls, eagles and kestrels during live raptor education programs at the Draper Natural History Museum.
- Visit a memorial dedicated to the original Mountain Man, John Colter. A monument at Old Trail Town celebrates his remarkable life.
- Learn about Thomas Molesworth and other regional artists and furniture makers and their contributions to Western design. Exhibits and special workshops at By Western Hands Museum & Gallery showcase the skills, tools and ingenuity that continue to inspire artists today.
- Cast for trout. Streams and lakes in and around Cody feature some of the country’s best trout fishing, and numerous outfitters are available to show visitors the ropes and guide them to their favorite fishing holes.
- See the hide coat worn by Buffalo Bill Cody. On display in the Buffalo Bill Museum, the coat is made of Buffalo hide and trimmed with beaver fur while serving as a civilian scout for the U.S. Army.
Want to know more? Request your free vacation guide by visiting www.codyyellowstone.org.
