10 Tips for Planning a Summer Vacation in Cody Yellowstone in 2023

Here in Cody Yellowstone, we are gearing up for a banner year! This summer, we’re seeing lots of pent-up demand from folks who have wanted to return to our Wild neck of the woods over the past few years, combined with those who have decided that now is simply the time to get here. 

So, what does that mean for you? It means if you’re planning a summer vacation to Cody Yellowstone in 2023, now is the time to get started! Luckily, we’re here to help! Here are 10 tips for planning a Cody Yellowstone vacation.

Get Your Guide to Wild: The 2023 Cody Yellowstone Vacation Guide

Start by ordering or downloading the 2023 Cody Yellowstone Adventure Vacation Guide for information about the destination, lists of lodging options, and itinerary ideas. And then keep it handy and refer back to it. Or just pick up the phone, dial 1-800-393-CODY (2639), and speak to a representative. Once you’re in town, go to a visitor center and speak face-to-face.

Rough Out Your Itinerary

Once you have your guide, start making some basic plans. Make sure you account for distances. Just because Wyoming takes up the same size page in the atlas as, say, Illinois doesn’t mean it takes the same amount of time to go from border to border.

Make Accommodations in Cody Yellowstone

Cody Yellowstone is home to an array of fantastic lodging options, including dude and guest ranches, Bed and Breakfasts, luxury hotels, boutique inns, budget hotels, historic park hotels, cabins, campgrounds, and RV parks. Whichever type of lodging is best for you, we recommend choosing where to lay your head and making reservations soon — even campgrounds are expected to nearly sell out this year! Explore a complete listing of lodging and campground options. 

Travel before June 20 or after August 15

Why do we recommend those windows for traveling? Simple, those are your best times for lodging availability. Most of the region’s summer-season attractions, like the Cody Nite Rodeo and Cody Trolley Tours, kick off on June 1. But, travelers — especially those with school-age kids — don’t typically start hitting the road in droves until after mid-June. 

Take the Cody Trolley Tour

The Cody Trolley Tour is an ideal way to start a visit to Cody Yellowstone. This fun and informative one-hour tour travels around the town and as far as the Buffalo Bill Dam while an onboard narrator introduces riders to the town’s attractions, history, and legends. 

Explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Capping the west end of Sheridan Avenue – Cody’s main street – this sprawling Buffalo Bill Center of the West is home to five museums under one roof and should be on every visitor’s must-do list. Travelers heading to the park will find the Draper Natural History Museum to be a tremendous pre-trip orientation, as exhibits showcase the wildlife and natural history of the Great Yellowstone ecosystem. The other museums are the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Whitney Western Art Museum, and Cody Firearms Museum. 

Experience the Cody Nite Rodeo

The longest-running summer-season nightly rodeo in the country, Cody Nite Rodeo is a fun and memorable experience for the entire family. 

Pack smart 

Weather in Cody Yellowstone Country can vary greatly throughout the summer, and travelers should be ready for temperatures that typically range from the 70s to the 40s. Visitors should also plan for a high-altitude experience and bring plenty of sunscreen and refillable water bottles to stay hydrated. 

Dine around 

As travelers might expect, there are plenty of places to find a great steak, but there are also restaurants that specialize in local and sustainable food, ethnic cuisine, sandwiches, and diner fare. 

Live the history 

Numerous attractions showcase the history of the region, including Old Trail Town and Museum of the Old West, Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center, Cody Heritage Museum, and the powerful Heart Mountain World War II Interpretive Center — the site of an incarceration camp where 14,000 Japanese-Americans were imprisoned during World War II. 

The Wild West is Waiting 

Now that you have the tips, it’s time to get started! Request your free 2023 Cody Yellowstone Vacation Guide today and take the first steps toward your unforgettable Wild West adventure. We’re so excited to welcome you this summer in Cody Yellowstone!