A Perfect Fall Itinerary for Cody Yellowstone

Fall is a fantastic time of year to explore the wonders of Cody Yellowstone. September brings bugling elk, cooler hiking weather, and long enough days for a full run into Yellowstone National Park. As the leaves change color, the surrounding landscapes transform into a stunning canvas of reds, oranges, and yellows. 

By October, trips become a bit more weather-dependent, which makes Cody’s museums, historic sites, galleries, restaurants, and nearby trails even more valuable.

Three days gives you enough time to see the park, dig into Buffalo Bill history and Western art, and spend time on the trails, trout water, restaurants, and bars closer to town. Of course, you could always spend a little longer here, but three days gives you enough time to not feel like you’re trying to squeeze everything into one long drive.

A trip to Cody Yellowstone without a day in the world’s first national park is like a cowboy without a horse. It just doesn’t make much sense. 

From Cody, take the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway to Yellowstone’s East Entrance. The route passes Buffalo Bill Reservoir and follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River into Wapati Valley and the Absaroka Mountains before reaching the park. Keep an eye on the hills and riverside for wildlife along the way.

Now for the honest truth, one day just isn’t enough time to see everything that Yellowstone National Park has to offer. The park is enormous, and those shorter fall days mean you need to be a little more selective in what you see and do. For one fall day in the park, we’d prioritize the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, and wildlife viewing rather than trying to cover every major landmark.

Where to Look for Wildlife in the Fall

Fall is elk rut season, and Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the best-known places in the park to see and hear bull elk. And yes, you will be hearing them. In fact, their bugling carries so far that you may hear them before you spot them.

If wildlife is the main reason for your park day, you’ll want to plan some time in Lamar Valley. Bison are common, and the valley is one of Yellowstone’s best areas for wolf watching. Moose, bighorn sheep, eagles, black bears, and grizzly bears are also known to make appearances here. 

No matter where you are or which animals you see, bring binoculars or a spotting scope. Yellowstone requires visitors to stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals, including elk and bison.

These animals are stunning to see, but they’re also wild, and you’re a guest in their home.

Return to Cody Through the Northeast Entrance When the Route Is Open

In September and early October, it’s still possible to exit through Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance and return to Cody on the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway before it closes for the season.

The route runs through Sunlight Basin and over Dead Indian Pass. Stop at Dead Indian Summit for the view across the Absarokas and Clarks Fork country, and for the history tied to the 1877 flight of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce.

Remember: The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway closes earlier (October 12) than Yellowstone’s East Entrance (October 31), and weather can shut down high-elevation roads before scheduled closing dates.

If you’re driving through after dark on a clear night, Dead Indian Summit is also one of the better places near Cody for stargazing. Strong geomagnetic activity can occasionally make the Aurora Borealis visible, but that’s a bonus, not something to plan the evening around.

For a more detailed park route, see our One-Day Itinerary for Yellowstone National Park.

Day 2 — Buffalo Bill, Western Art, and the Cody Story

Your second day in Cody Yellowstone will keep you close to Buffalo Bill’s town in the Rockies. 

See Cody From the Trolley

Cody Trolley Tours gives you the lay of the land in about an hour, with stories about Buffalo Bill, the town’s early days, and the places you’ll pass around Cody. It’s especially handy near the start of your day because you’ll have more context for the museums, historic buildings, and landmarks you see afterward.

Because the trolley is seasonal, check the fall schedule before you go.

Explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Cody has enough history, art, and Western culture to fill a full day, and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West covers an impressive amount of that ground under one roof.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West brings five museums together under one roof, each covering a different piece of the American West.

• The Buffalo Bill Museum focuses on William F. Cody, his Wild West show, and the larger-than-life public image that still shapes how people think about the West.
• The Plains Indian Museum centers the cultures, traditions, histories, and contemporary lives of Plains Indian peoples.
• The Whitney Western Art Museum covers Western art from historic works to contemporary interpretations of the region.
• The Draper Natural History Museum looks at the wildlife, geology, and ecosystems of the Greater Yellowstone area, making it especially relevant after a day in the park.
• The Cody Firearms Museum holds one of the most extensive collections of American firearms in the country.

You can easily spend several hours here, especially if art, natural history, or Western culture are already high on your list. Entry is good for two days, so if you find yourself with a little extra time on day three, swing back to the museum and continue exploring its halls. 

Walk Through Old Trail Town

Old Trail Town brings the spirit of the Old West to life. It’s home to 28 historic buildings from around Wyoming and Montana, including Butch Cassidy’s Hole-in-the-Wall cabin, sitting on the original Cody townsite. 

Old Trail Town is the burial site of the famous (or infamous) mountain man, John “Liver-Eating” Johnson, alongside old homesteads, a saloon, a schoolhouse, and other buildings that give you a very real look at just how wild the West was in those days. Conditions were harsh, and it took a lot of grit to survive in these parts. 

Old Trail Town closes for the season on September 30, so plan your visit accordingly. 

Make Time for By Western Hands

If Western art and aesthetics interest you, By Western Hands might just be your favorite stop on the entire itinerary. A combination museum, gallery, and boutique art shop, it features work by contemporary makers across furniture, leather, jewelry, and decorative art, with plenty of pieces that feel rooted in the region without looking stuck in the past.  

Explore the space, and if something does come home with you, it’ll be a lot more interesting than another standard souvenir.

Day 3 — Pick a Trail, Cast a Line, Then Eat and Drink in Cody

Cody has plenty of trail options close to town, from paved paths around the reservoirs to climbs that will take up a good part of your morning.

For a Walk, Try Prickly Pear Trail

Prickly Pear Trail circles Beck Lake and New Cody Reservoir on a paved path. It’s a local favorite for walking, running, and biking, with open views across the water and the surrounding hills.

If you want a relaxed morning outside, with plenty of time for lunch and another stop in Cody afterward, this is the trail for you.

For More Trail Time, Head to Bluebird

Bluebird Trail, just outside Cody, offers more of a hiking outing while keeping the drive short.

It’s not a strenuous hike, but it is a good middle ground between paved options like Prickly Pear and more demanding treks. Pack some water, wear comfortable hiking shoes, and try to time your hike for the early morning or evening, when the sun starts putting on a show over the surrounding sandstone ledges.

For the Workout, Cedar Mountain Is the One

If a tough hike is the kind of challenge you’re after, look toward Cedar Mountain. The climb is steep, but the payoff is a wide view over Cody and the surrounding country from higher up on the mountain.

Go Fishing on the Shoshone

If you want to tackle some fishing this fall, explore the North and South Forks of the Shoshone River, Beck Lake, or Lake Creek. Local fishing outfitters are happy to provide guides and equipment, and you can purchase your license in advance through the Wyoming Game & Fish Department Online Electronic Licensing Service.

Finish With Cody’s Local Food and Drink

For dinner, Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel is the Cody classic. The restaurant is known for prime rib, steaks, and its buffalo rib eye, and the dining room still has the cherrywood bar Buffalo Bill received as a gift from Queen Victoria. Buffalo Bill built the hotel in 1902 and named it after his daughter Irma, so this is one of the few places where dinner comes with a very direct connection to the man who founded our town.

If you’d rather make dinner about the steak than the history, Cody Steakhouse is nearby on Sheridan Avenue. Here, ingredients are sourced from local farmers. Order a chicken-fried steak, a bison ribeye, or another traditional homestyle favorite.  

For something completely different, Trailhead does scratch-made Northern Italian dishes and wood-fired pizza. With a dinner menu that changes seasonally, there’s usually something new alongside the pizzas and house-made pastas.

After dinner, the Cody Yellowstone Sippin’ Trail gives you a reason to try a few local pours. This free mobile pass lets you collect points when you visit participating businesses and redeem them for Sippin’ Trail rewards such as T-shirts, pint glasses, and stickers.

You don’t need the pass to visit our bars or breweries, but it can make the night a bit more fun.

With or without the Sippin’ Trail Pass, Cody Craft Brewing is one of the stops we’d put on the list. The brewery opened in 2021, brews its beer in Cody, and has picked up statewide awards, including recognition for its hazy IPA. In 2026, it’s also pouring America’s 250 Pale Ale brewed for the country’s 250th anniversary.

If you’re ending the night with a cocktail, The Cocktail Bar & Lounge at the Chamberlin Inn is where we’d go. The menu here is packed with personality. Try the Yellowstone Mule with huckleberry vodka, ginger beer, and lime, or Agnes C’s Nightcap, an espresso martini made with Baileys, Kahlúa, crème de cacao, vanilla vodka, and espresso. If you’re visiting on Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, expect a side of live music through the end of September.

Three days go by quickly in Cody Yellowstone, so it helps to have a plan. This itinerary gives you a strong starting point, but like any good cowboy, you need to know when to follow the trail and when to ride off on your own adventure.

When you’re ready to start planning, visit CodyYellowstone.org and request the current Cody Yellowstone Vacation Guide. It’s packed with trip ideas, places to stay, maps, and more ways to make the most of your time in this corner of Wyoming.