The Roundup: What You’ll Find in This Article

• Key 2026 events and can’t-miss celebrations for America’s 250th birthday in Cody Yellowstone 
• Where to catch parades, rodeos, live music, cattle drives, and chuckwagon cook-offs 
• Iconic Western experiences: dude ranch stays, ghost towns, frozen waterfalls, and the Cody Nite Rodeo 
• Year-round adventures, from winter ice climbing and Nordic trails to summer rafting, hiking, and biking 
• Where to taste the region: local brews, cowboy-made chocolate, agritourism stops, and chuckwagon dinners 
• Family-friendly activities, free wildlife viewing, and tips to make Cody your basecamp for Yellowstone

Planning a 2026 trip to Cody Yellowstone? You picked the right year. Between America’s 250th birthday celebrations, nightly rodeos, wild winter adventures, and wide-open access to Yellowstone National Park, you can easily fill a day—or a whole week—with classic Western fun.

Use this guide to plan 26 unforgettable things to do in Cody, Powell, Meeteetse, and the surrounding Cody Yellowstone region in 2026.

1. Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday

There is no better place to celebrate independence than the land of the free. Cody Yellowstone is hosting a massive celebration for the Semiquincentennial. The festivities kick off April 18 with “Two Lights for Tomorrow” at the historic Irma Hotel, marking Paul Revere’s ride. Expect chuckwagon cook-offs, cattle drives, street festivals, and the legendary Cody Stampede. Don’t forget to raise a glass of “Two Fifty Pale” by Cody Craft Brewing, the official beer of the event.

2. Witness the Cody Nite Rodeo

It isn’t a trip to Cody without seeing the longest-running nightly rodeo in the world. Every night from June through August, the chutes open and the dust flies. Whether you are watching bull riding or barrel racing, this is Western culture at its most authentic.

3. Walk in the Footsteps of Butch Cassidy

Step back to 1883 at Old Trail Town. This isn’t a museum behind glass; these are the actual buildings where history happened, including the cabin where Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch hid out. Walk among the graves of mountain men like Jeremiah Johnston and feel the history in the floorboards.

4. Immerse Yourself in Western Art

Experience the Rendezvous Royale and Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale. This weeklong celebration of Western style includes workshops, an art walk, and a live auction. It culminates in a gala weekend and the spirited Buffalo Bill Quick Draw in the town square.

5. Climb a Frozen Waterfall

When the temperatures drop, the adventure heats up. With over 200 climbable pitches within a 10-mile radius, the South Fork of the Shoshone River is a premier ice climbing destination. Join the Wyoming Ice Festival for clinics ranging from beginner to advanced, and learn to conquer the ice.

6. Honor History at Heart Mountain

Visit the Mineta-Simpson Institute at Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center. This site of a Japanese-American internment camp offers powerful, immersive programs to build empathy and understanding. Participate in workshops like origami making or sake tasting, and explore new programming focused on the Apsaalooke tribe’s historic roots in the region.

7. Eat Like a Cowboy

Skip the white tablecloths for a night and head to 2 Mules Chuckwagon. Located next to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, this husband-and-wife team cooks steaks over an open flame and serves up Dutch oven cobbler that will ruin you for all other desserts.

8. Sip Your Way Through Town

USA Today recognized Cody for having the top small-town beer scene in the U.S. Take the “Sippin’ Trail” and sample local pours from Cody Craft Brewing, Millstone Pizza Company & Brewery, Pat’s Brew House, and WYOld West Brewing.

9. Find Your Zen in Wapiti

Gather your yoga pals and head to Pure Heart Retreat in the Wapiti Valley. Located between Cody and Yellowstone’s East Gate, this retreat centers you with sweeping views of the Absaroka Mountains. Practice in an all-glass yoga dome and sleep under the stars.

10. Take a Scenic Drive

The journey is the destination here. Five scenic byways lead into Cody, winding past breathtaking valleys and jagged peaks. Download the free TravelStorys app for a GPS-guided audio tour of the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway or the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway to learn the lore of the land as you drive.

11. Ride the Cody Trolley

Get your bearings with a one-hour Cody Trolley Tour. It is the perfect introduction to the town’s history, pointing out local landmarks and sharing the stories of the characters who built this town.

12. Go Agritourism Hopping in Powell

Connect with the land on a tour offered through the Powell Chamber of Commerce. Visit Arrowhead Alpacas, Enchantment Creek Apothecary, and Wyoming Heritage Grains. Taste the local harvest at Sitti’s Table in Cody or sip a pint at WyOld West Brewing, which uses locally harvested barley.

13. Hunt for the Bears in the Basin

Embark on a scavenger hunt across Cody, Meeteetse, and Powell to find the famous nine-inch bear statues. Look for “Farmer Growl” in Powell, “Amelia Bearhart” in Meeteetse (a nod to the aviatrix’s cabin near Kirwin), and “Buffalo Bear Cody.”

14. Live the Ranch Life

Disconnect from the grind and reconnect with nature at one of the region’s 17 dude and guest ranches. From horseback riding and fishing to cowboy music around the fire, this is the quintessential Western escape.

15. Paddle the Shoshone

Whether you want a calm float or whitewater thrills, hit the Shoshone River. Outfitters like Gradient Mountain Sports and Wyoming River Trips offer guided excursions through the majestic Red Rock Canyon. It is the perfect way to see the landscape from a new perspective.

16. Spot a Bison in the Wild

The American bison is the symbol of the West. In Cody Yellowstone, you don’t have to go far to see them, along with eagles, bighorn sheep, and elk. Remember to keep it wild and safe—stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from bison and elk.

17. Explore a Ghost Town by UTV

Rent a street-legal UTV from Out West Adventures and climb high into the Absaroka Mountains to explore Kirwin. This ghost town near Meeteetse offers a hauntingly beautiful look at a mining boom gone bust.

18. Shred the Beck Lake Bike Park

Mountain bikers can find their flow at the Beck Lake Bike Park & Trail System, featuring 10 miles of purpose-built trails. Need gear or advice? Stop by Joyvagen Cycles or Sunlight Sports in downtown Cody.

19. Hike the Shoshone National Forest

Lace up your boots and hit the trails in the nation’s first national forest. For expert guidance on the best treks for your skill level, chat with the outdoor concierge at Sunlight Sports.

20. Enter the World’s First National Park

Cody is the wildest gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Use the East or Northeast Gates to access the Grand Loop. Spend a day exploring the geology, wildlife, and thermal features that make this one of the most intriguing destinations on the planet.

21. Discover Local Art at the Creative Center

Visit the Cody Arts Gallery + Creative Center, housed in the original Buffalo Bill Museum. View and purchase works by local artists or get your hands dirty in a watercolor or ornament-making workshop.

22. Shoot a Gatling Gun

Experience the history of firearms at the Cody Firearms Experience. Under the supervision of dedicated instructors, you can shoot replicas of historical guns, including the iconic Gatling Gun, at their indoor range.

23. Cast a Line in Blue-Ribbon Waters

Cody Yellowstone is an angler’s paradise. Cast for Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the North and South Forks of the Shoshone River. Fall is prime time for blue-ribbon trout fishing, so grab a guide and get out on the water.

24. Taste Cowboy Chocolate

Head to Meeteetse for a sweet treat with a story. The Meeteetse Chocolatier began making chocolates from his grandmother’s recipe to fund a new rodeo saddle. He may have traded the rodeo for the kitchen, but the cowboy spirit remains in every bite.

25. Visit the Homesteader Museum

See how the pioneers tamed the land at the Homesteader Museum in Powell. Explore renovated cabins, tools, and artifacts that depict the rugged grit required to survive and thrive in the early days of Wyoming.

26. Dinner and a Show

Cap off your day with a Western buffet and live music at the Cody Cattle Company. Their high-energy show is the perfect warmup before heading over to the rodeo.

FAQ: Planning Your 2026 Cody Yellowstone Adventure

Q: What are the top things to do in Cody Yellowstone in 2026?

A: In 2026, don’t miss America’s 250th celebrations in Cody, the Cody Nite Rodeo, day trips into Yellowstone National Park, dinner and a show at the Cody Cattle Company, and seasonal highlights like ice climbing, rafting, and dude ranch stays.

Q: Is Cody Yellowstone worth visiting in winter?

A: Yes. Winter brings snowshoeing and cross-country skiing near Yellowstone, world-class ice climbing, quieter wildlife viewing, and a peaceful, uncrowded feel you won’t find in midsummer.

Q: How close is Cody to Yellowstone National Park?

A: Cody is within easy driving distance of the East Gate and Northeast Gate, making it a convenient base for day trips into the park while still enjoying restaurants, breweries, museums, and evening entertainment back in town.

Q: Is Cody Yellowstone family-friendly?

A: Absolutely. Families love the Cody Nite Rodeo, Bears in the Basin scavenger hunt, rafting on the Shoshone, dude ranch activities, kid-friendly museums, and easy wildlife viewing.

Q: How many days should I spend in Cody Yellowstone?

A: You can sample a lot in one very full day, but three to five days lets you combine a Yellowstone visit with a rodeo night, a scenic drive or tour, time at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and one or two deeper adventures like rafting, a dude ranch stay, or a winter outing.

Start Planning Your 2026 Cody Yellowstone Adventure

In 2026, Cody Yellowstone is the place where America’s 250th birthday, Yellowstone adventures, and true Western culture all come together. Start planning your trip now—pick your season, circle your can’t-miss events, and give yourself time to roam. When you roll into Cody Yellowstone, you’ll be ready to turn this milestone year into your own Western story.