5 Thrilling Fall Adventures for Grown-Ups in Cody Yellowstone (Plus a Legendary Way to Wind Down)

Posted by: Park Country Travel Council

Posted on: August 12, 2026

We’re partial to fall around Cody Yellowstone. Ask any local, and they’ll tell you that September and early October are when a lot of us would choose to be outside. The summer traffic thins out, the Shoshone gets quieter — while the elk population gets louder — and there are still long stretches of good weather before winter settles into the high country.

It’s the perfect season for people who don’t need every hour of the day mapped out. Spend a morning on the Shoshone River, take the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway when the weather looks good, or head into the Absarokas while the roads are still open. Fall here can be warm, cold, windy, snowy, or all four in the same week, which, depending on your appreciation for the majesty of Mother Nature, is part of the charm.

Here are five things we think are genuinely worth doing, plus a Cody tradition to end the day.

The Round Up: What You’ll Find in This Guide

Fall fly fishing on the Shoshone River
A backcountry trip to Kirwin Ghost Town
Two scenic drives we’d recommend from Cody
Where to look for elk, bears, wolves, and other wildlife
Hiking and biking trails close to town
The Cody Yellowstone Sippin’ Trail
A few things to know before visiting Yellowstone in fall

Is Fall a Good Time to Visit Cody Yellowstone?

Yes. September and October are some of our favorite months of the year around here. There’s still plenty of good hiking, fishing, and road-tripping, and the weather is a little cooler, but not cold — it’s a perfect sweet spot.

Later in October, the season becomes less predictable. Snow starts showing up more often in the mountains, some Yellowstone roads and seasonal services begin closing, and plans in the high country need a little more flexibility.

Elevation makes a big difference, too. Cody can be mild while the Absarokas are getting snow, so check road and trail conditions before heading up and keep an extra layer in the car.

1. Fish the Shoshone River

A man fishing in a river in Cody Yellowstone

By fall, the Shoshone has settled down quite a bit from summer. The North and South Forks are still drawing anglers, but you’re more likely to find some breathing room on the water. The mornings are colder, and you can spend more time fishing instead of trying to work your way around peak-season activity.

If you don’t know the water, stop at North Fork Anglers on Sheridan Avenue. The team there can help you with current conditions, flies, gear, and guided trips. When you do get out on the water, don’t rush it. Cast your line, relax, and let the day be about fishing.

Remember: You’ll need a Wyoming fishing license before you head out. It’s easy to buy one online before you arrive.

2. Make the Trip to Kirwin Ghost Town

The old mining town of Kirwin sits high in the Absarokas, southwest of Meeteetse. Gold and silver brought people into this country in the late 1800s, and for a time, Kirwin had cabins, stores, boarding houses, a hotel, a post office, stables, and mining buildings.

What’s left today is scattered through the high country, and getting there is part of the experience.

Several local outfitters run UTV trips into Kirwin, including Kirwin Ghost Town Adventures, Out West Adventures, and Cody Wyoming Adventures. If you haven’t driven that country before, going with somebody who knows the route is worth it, especially in the fall, when weather, road, and creek crossing conditions can change pretty quickly.

Did you know? Kirwin has an Amelia Earhart connection. Before she disappeared, Earhart had plans for a cabin in the area, and the foundation can still be reached via a short hike from the ghost town.

3. Drive the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway or Chief Joseph Scenic Byway

With five stunning routes leading into Cody, this is road-tripping country at its finest.

If there’s only time for one scenic drive from Cody, start with the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway. It begins just outside town and follows the North Fork of the Shoshone toward the East Gate of Yellowstone. It’s a breathtaking drive, and along the way, the road cuts through Wapiti Valley, with mountain views and good chances to spot wildlife along the way.

If you want to turn your drive into a full-day road trip, head out on the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. It climbs through Sunlight Basin toward the Northeast Gate of Yellowstone, and the drive feels very wide open and remote. The route follows part of the path taken during the 1877 flight of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce, which is a fascinating story to dive into if you’re a passenger on the drive.

If everybody is interested in the history along the route, download the TravelStorys app for GPS-triggered audio tours that add color to every mile. Fans of audio tours can also listen to a guided walking tour highlighting downtown Cody’s historic structures.

4. Listen for Elk and Watch for Wildlife

A Grizzly bear standing on dead tree branches

By September, the elk rut is getting underway, which means you’ll probably hear bull elk before you see them. The bugling can carry a long way in open country, especially early in the morning and toward evening.

If you’re eager to see a lot of different wildlife, Lamar Valley is the place to go, particularly if wolves are high on the list. Around Cody, the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway are also worth watching closely. Elk, bison, bears, moose, bighorn sheep, and other wildlife all move through these parts of Cody Yellowstone.

Fall is also when bears are starting to really bulk up for winter, which means they are out and about. Sightings can happen anywhere from river corridors to higher country. That’s a good reason to keep binoculars handy and an even better reason to give wildlife plenty of space.

Yellowstone National Park requires visitors to stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other wildlife, including elk and bison. During the rut, bull elk deserve particular respect. Their focus is on other elk, not whether your photo is in focus.

Learn more about the wildlife of Cody Yellowstone.

5. Hike or Bike Close to Cody

Whether you’re on two wheels, four hooves, or just a good pair of boots, there’s a trail calling your name.

Some of Cody’s best hiking and biking options are close enough to town that you can be on the trail within minutes.

For a ride close to town, make tracks for Beck Lake Bike Park and Trail System. The trail network sits on Cody’s south side, so you can get onto dirt quickly. Elsewhere, Outlaw Trails give mountain bikers more room to roam without heading far out of town.

On foot, Bluebird Trail is a good short option near Cody, while Prickly Pear Trail loops through the Beck Lake and New Cody Reservoir area. Cedar Mountain Trail is where to go if you want more of a climb. It’s steeper and more demanding than the trails around Beck Lake.

Shoshone National Forest gives hikers access to a much larger trail system beyond the routes immediately around Cody, including trails that head into the Absaroka Range. If the goal is a longer hike or a route farther from town, this is where to look.

For current trail conditions, route suggestions, maps, or gear questions, Sunlight Sports in downtown Cody is a useful local resource before heading out.

Afterward, Hit the Cody Yellowstone Sippin’ Trail

After a day outside, raise a glass to a fall vacation to remember.

The Cody Yellowstone Sippin’ Trail is a fun way to spend some time in the places locals gather and earn a few prizes along the way. It includes breweries, saloons, restaurants, and bars in Cody, Powell, and Meeteetse, with stops at Cody Craft Brewing, Pat’s Brew House, The Blanca Tatanka, Proud Cut Saloon, Chamberlin Inn, Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel Saloon, and more.

If you’re staying in Cody, the Irma Hotel is the stop with the most history behind it. Buffalo Bill built the hotel and named it after his daughter, Irma, and the saloon still feels very much tied to that part of Cody’s story. It’s right on Sheridan Avenue, so it’s also a natural place to end up after a day outside.

The mobile Sippin’ Trail pass lets you check in at participating locations and collect points along the way. There’s no separate app to download.

A couple of stops can turn into an evening pretty quickly, so if that’s the plan, arrange a ride and enjoy it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Cody Yellowstone in Fall

Is Yellowstone National Park open in the fall?

Yes. Yellowstone National Park is open year-round, but road access and visitor services start changing as fall moves toward winter. Most services become more limited by early November, and some roads can close earlier because of snow. Check current National Park Service road and operating information before heading into the park.

Is September or October better for visiting Cody Yellowstone?

September usually gives you the better chance of having broad access to trails, scenic drives, and Yellowstone while still getting cooler temperatures and fewer summer visitors. October can be quieter and feel more distinctly like fall, but snow becomes more likely in the mountains and seasonal closures start becoming a bigger consideration.

How many days should you spend in Cody Yellowstone in the fall?

Three days gives you enough time to spend a day around Cody, take one of the scenic routes toward Yellowstone, and leave another day for fishing, hiking, wildlife watching, or a trip toward Meeteetse and Kirwin. Stay longer if Yellowstone National Park is a major part of the trip or you want time for more than one day in the mountains.

Can you visit Kirwin Ghost Town in the fall?

You can visit Kirwin in fall when the backcountry route is accessible, but conditions matter more as the season progresses. Kirwin sits deep in Shoshone National Forest southwest of Meeteetse, and local outfitters run trips into the ghost town. Check access and current conditions before making plans.

Plan a Fall Trip to Cody Yellowstone

Fall doesn’t need much of a sales pitch in Cody Yellowstone, especially if you’re looking to spend time fishing the Shoshone, driving into the mountains, hearing elk bugle, or getting out on a trail. Just remember to keep an extra layer in your pack and check the mountain forecast before heading out.

Request your free Cody Yellowstone Vacation Guide and start planning your fall trip.