Cody, Wyoming

Founded by Buffalo Bill and a gateway to Yellowstone National Park, this old western town in beautiful northwestern Wyoming is much more than just a stopover. Rather, it’s a place to take in western culture, explore the amazing Wyoming natural beauty or just relax and breath in the mountain air. I think we did a little of all the above on our four-day visit.

Cody Wyoming is most often visited by folks coming from the east as a stopover on the way to Yellowstone. Since the east entrance to the park is only about an hour drive down the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway from here, it makes a lot of sense. Although Cody may not be a destination for many in itself, it certainly earns the right to be one of those mini destinations along the way. We really enjoyed our time there with good friends and feel we got a good taste of the area.

The Cody area looks and feels like what you expect Wyoming to be. Drive right in the town and you feel like your back in the old west… well maybe except for that Super Walmart. Anyway, the best way to learn about the area, and a top attractions by many, is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Museum. Actually this is five museums under one roof where you can learn everything from Buffalo Bill (William Frederick Cody) himself, Plains Indians, firearms, natural history and western art. You can even hang out with Jade the Bald Eagle for a while out in the courtyard. The museums are so extensive that your admission is good for two days, and you’ll need it if you want to see it all.

The main drag of the town is lined with western wear shops, saloons and historic restaurants and hotels such as Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel & Restaurant, built by Buffalo Bill in 1902 and named after his youngest daughter. We did check out the restaurant but opted to eat across the street at the Proud Cut Saloon. It was a lot friendlier then it sounds and both the burgers and the service (and beer) were fantastic.

If you haven’t got enough fill of western history yet, then check out the Cody Stampede rodeo. Officially started in 1919, this rodeo, which runs every night during the summer, has established Cody as the rodeo capital of the world. It’s the longest running successful professional rodeo and the only place in the country that has a rodeo performance nightly.

Cody is located in a beautiful area of Wyoming (actually I haven’t found an area of it that isn’t) and there’s lots of scenic highways which gives an opportunity to just get out and drive to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. We fully explored the aforementioned Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, which if you’re heading to Yellowstone is the path you’ll take. It’s an absolutely beautiful drive with lots of stops along the way, three of which that we can recommend include:

Buffalo Bill Dam

Six miles west of Cody is a magnificent dam within a canyon area of the Shoshone River. The dam was completed in 1910 as the world’s tallest dam at 325 feet and formed (drum roll please) the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The dam has a storied history of its construction woes and agricultural importance and is so significant that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Visitors Center has a wealth of information to check out once you’re done walking across the dam to view the marvel.

Buffalo Bill State Park

As you continue west on the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, you will be driving right along the reservoir and soon the beginning of Buffalo Bill State Park. The park is mainly a scattering of camping and picnic spots on the water which provides for a great opportunity to stop for a picnic lunch, and we did just that.

Hiking trails

We needed to get out and stretch our legs a bit, so after several more miles of driving we checked out a short 3 mile hike called Clearwater Creek. The hike not only worked out the kinks but gave us an even better perspective of how beautiful this area is with the flowing creeks, mountains and valleys.

If you’ve been reading our blogs and know us, you understand that we like to get off the beaten path and explore the more unknown treasures hidden to most except the informed locals. We did such a venture to the Kirwin Trail, an 11 mile off-road trail to an old mining ghost town. Although the trail was only 11 miles (one way) it was well over an hour away from Cody, but a nice drive to get there and an amazing trail to do some lite Jeeping. The trail goes through many water crossings (which are always fun) and some beautiful scenery. The trail ends at the old mining town of Kirwin which is now maintained as a historical site. You can walk around and go into many of the buildings and even the mineshaft structure. It’s a beautiful area nestled in a small valley of the Absaroka Mountains near the headwaters of the north fork of the Wood River. It was an awesome experience and interesting history of this old mining town that never quite panned out to its expectations in gold production.

When passing through this part of Wyoming, be sure to spend a few days in Cody, you won’t regret is. Now it’s time for us to revisit one of our all-time favorite places, Grand Teton National Park. See you down the road a piece and be sure to check out all of our pictures of the Cody area.