Cody Travel Guide
City Wyoming town gateway to Yellowstone National Park
Named for Buffalo Bill, Cody lives on Old West spectacle - rodeos, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and access to Yellowstone’s east gates - ideal for history buffs and anglers alike.
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Why Visit Cody? #
Framed by ranchland and mountains, Cody is a hub for Western heritage thanks to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and the nightly Cody Nite Rodeo. Museums and historic streets recall frontier stories, while easy access to the East Entrance of Yellowstone makes the town a practical base for wildlife viewing and scenic drives. Expect a healthy dose of cowboy culture alongside museums and outdoor pursuits.
Best Things to Do in Cody
Cody Bucket List
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West - Explore five museums covering Western art, firearms, natural history, and Plains Indians.
- Cody Nite Rodeo - Experience nightly rodeo action during summer season at the Cody venue.
- Old Trail Town - Walk reconstructed Frontier-era buildings and learn local cowboy history with historic artifacts and interpretive signs.
- Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center - Historic dam with interpretive exhibits and a short interpretive trail and valley viewpoints.
- Heart Mountain Interpretive Center - Visit the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center to learn about the WWII internment site's history.
- Shoshone National Forest access - Drive into Shoshone National Forest for alpine meadows, trout streams, and scenic overlooks.
- Yellowstone National Park (East Entrance) - Drive to Yellowstone's eastern gateway for wildlife, geysers, and Hayden Valley.
- Beartooth Highway to Red Lodge - Tackle the Beartooth Highway for high alpine scenery en route to Red Lodge, Montana.
Best Time to Visit Cody #
Summer is the easiest time for Cody - warm days, rodeos and access to Yellowstone. Spring is variable but rewarding for wildlife; winters are cold and snowy with quieter streets and lower prices.
Best Time to Visit Cody #
Cody's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 28°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -10°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -8°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 49 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 1°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -10°C. Almost no rain and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Cody
Cody, Wyoming is reached most easily by a regional flight into Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) or by road. The town is a gateway to the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park, and car access provides the most flexibility.
Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD): Cody is served by Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) with scheduled flights (often to Denver). Airport-to-town transfers are short (taxi or shuttle), typically 10-20 minutes; local taxi fares are commonly USD 15-30.
Billings (BIL) / Salt Lake City (SLC): For additional flight options, larger hubs such as Billings or Salt Lake City require longer drives (3+ hours) but provide more frequent service and rental-car options.
Train: There is no direct national passenger rail service to Cody; Amtrak does not serve the town.
Bus: Intercity bus and shuttle services operate between Cody and nearby hubs (e.g., Powell, Billings seasonal shuttles), but schedules are limited. Driving or flying into Cody’s small regional airport is the more common choice.
How to Get Around Cody #
Cody’s downtown is compact enough to walk between museums, shops and restaurants, but a car is the most practical way to reach nearby attractions and the east entrance of Yellowstone (about an hour plus drive). Parking is generally available at major sites. Local taxi services are limited and ride‑share availability varies; during summer consider booking shuttles or tours for day trips if you prefer not to drive.
Where to Stay in Cody #
- Cody Hostel - Dorms and cheap private rooms.
- Red Rock Inn Cody - No-frills motel convenient to town.
- Irma Hotel - Historic hotel with good on-site dining.
- Best Western Cody - Reliable mid-range chain with town location.
- Buffalo Bill Village Resort - Lodge-style suites and family amenities.
- Historic Cottages & Vacation Rentals - Private luxury rentals near town.
Where to Eat in Cody #
- The Irma Hotel Restaurant - Historic dining founded by Buffalo Bill Cody.
- Cody Cattle Company - Steakhouse with western atmosphere and live music.
- The Local (Cody) - Seasonal small plates and craft beers.
- Parker's Café & Bakery - Coffee, pastries and casual breakfasts.
- Wyoming Coffee Roasters (local café) - Specialty coffee and light bites.
- Hayden's Grill - Comfort-focused lunch and dinner menus.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Cody's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Cody #
Evening options are traditionally western: bars, roadhouse venues and seasonal attractions like the Cody Nite Rodeo. Live music and ranch‑style bars provide most of the town’s after‑dark entertainment rather than club scenes.
- Cody Nite Rodeo - Seasonal nightly rodeo during summer, a big local evening attraction
- Irma Hotel - Historic hotel with a longstanding bar and western atmosphere
Shopping in Cody #
Cody’s shopping leans toward western wear, outdoor gear and Yellowstone‑themed souvenirs. Downtown has several outfitters and specialty stores selling cowboy boots, hats and local artisan goods; museum shops also carry regionally themed items.
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West - Museum complex with a museum shop selling Western books and souvenirs
