CodyCody at a Glance
Costs: $120-160 / day - mid-range tourist prices; outdoor activities add to costs.
Safety: Generally safe; wildlife and road caution - low violent crime; watch wildlife and mountain driving hazards.
Best Time: May-September - summer for Yellowstone access, rodeos, and hiking.
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.
Cody Bucket List
Don't Miss
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.
Hidden Gems
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.
Day Trips
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.
Winter
Brutal cold sometimes with heavy snow; many attractions stay open but roads to high country may close-dress properly and expect quiet, low season rates.
Spring
Unpredictable mix of snow, mud, and sunshine; wildlife viewing improves, but trail conditions and road openings vary-good for photographers who tolerate changeable weather.
Summer
Warm days perfect for Yellowstone access and rodeo nights; bugs can be bothersome in lowlands, but high elevation hikes remain pleasant.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | -10° - 2° | -9° | 10 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 3.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
| February | Acceptable | -8° - 5° | -5° | 7 mm | overcast | 66% | 3.1 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.3h |
| March | Good | -4° - 9° | -1° | 13 mm | overcast | 61% | 3.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 0° - 14° | 4° | 29 mm | overcast | 59% | 3.8 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 5° - 19° | 12° | 49 mm | overcast | 57% | 3.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.6h |
| June | Excellent | 9° - 24° | 17° | 39 mm | partly cloudy | 51% | 3.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 15.3h |
| July | Ideal | 12° - 28° | 20° | 28 mm | some cloud | 44% | 3.2 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 15.0h |
| August | Excellent | 12° - 28° | 20° | 20 mm | partly cloudy | 41% | 3.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 6° - 22° | 14° | 28 mm | partly cloudy | 46% | 3.1 m/s | 1.3 high | 12.4h |
| October | Very Good | 1° - 15° | 6° | 21 mm | partly cloudy | 58% | 3.2 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.8h |
| November | Acceptable | -6° - 7° | -3° | 12 mm | partly cloudy | 63% | 3.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
| December | Acceptable | -10° - 3° | -8° | 8 mm | overcast | 69% | 3.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.7h |
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 is a small, car-oriented town. Fly into Cody when possible for short transfers or drive in from larger hubs; once there, rental car or guided tours are the best ways to reach nearby natural attractions.
- Regional flights (COD) (USD 100+ (one-way flight varies), taxi USD 15-30) - Yellowstone Regional Airport has scheduled connections (often via Denver). Flights are seasonal and limited; check airlines and schedules carefully. Airport-to-town transfers are short and inexpensive by taxi or shuttle.
- Drive / Rental car (USD 50+/day (rental)) - Driving gives full access to Cody and nearby attractions including the East Entrance to Yellowstone. The road network is straightforward; winter weather can affect travel times. Rental cars are widely recommended for park access.
- Shuttle / Private transfer (USD 40-120 (shuttle/transfer)) - Shuttles and private transfers operate to and from regional airports and the town; these are convenient for groups and luggage but should be booked in advance, especially in summer.
- Local taxi (USD 5-40) - Local taxis handle short trips within town and airport transfers; fares are reasonable for short distances. For longer day trips a rental car or guided tour is usually better value.
- Walking - Cody’s downtown is compact and pedestrian-friendly for visiting museums, shops and restaurants; longer excursions to surrounding attractions require a car or guided transport.
Where to Stay in Cody
Budget
Downtown Cody - $50-110/night
Hostels and motels around downtown offer affordable bases for Yellowstone-area trips.
Cody Hostel - Dorms and cheap private rooms.
Red Rock Inn Cody - No-frills motel convenient to town.
Mid-Range
Main Street / Downtown - $120-200/night
Comfortable full-service hotels with western character, close to museums and restaurants.
Irma Hotel - Historic hotel with good on-site dining.
Best Western Cody - Reliable mid-range chain with town location.
Luxury
Near Downtown / Scenic outskirts - $200+/night
Upscale lodges and private rentals offering extra space and amenities for families and groups.
Buffalo Bill Village Resort - Lodge-style suites and family amenities.
Historic Cottages & Vacation Rentals - Private luxury rentals near town.
Where to Eat in Cody
Western classics & steakhouses
Hearty steakhouses and Western-themed restaurants celebrate local ranching roots, with historic settings and robust portions.
- 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.
Casual cafés & bakeries
Comfortable cafés and bakeries serve breakfast, sandwiches and coffee - good for a casual stop between attractions.
- 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.
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.