Budget-Friendly Cody Yellowstone: Big Adventures on a Budget

In Cody Yellowstone, adventure doesn’t come with a hefty price tag—it comes with a frontier spirit, a sense of wonder, and just the right touch of Wild. Whether you’re a solo road-tripper, traveling with friends and family, or revisiting your pioneer roots, there’s plenty of fun to be had here in Cody Yellowstone, all without breaking the bank. If you’re a budget-conscious traveler, here’s how to make the most of your Cody Yellowstone journey.

Free (and Nearly Free) Cody Yellowstone Adventures

Marvel at Nature’s Quirky Sculptures

Take a breathtaking drive along the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway between Cody and Yellowstone’s East Entrance. The drive alone is priceless, but you can mix it up by keeping your eyes peeled for whimsical rock formations like “Snoopy the Dog” or “Laughing Pig Rock”—named by locals with a sharp eye and sense of humor. Not sure where to look for these formations? The exclusive map in our free 2025 Adventure Guide can help! Be sure to grab your free copy before you head out! 

Catch the Wild Bunch Gunfight

There’s gonna be a showdown at sundown! Every summer evening, just outside the Irma Hotel, a rowdy band of ruffians known as the Wild Bunch Gunfighters brings Old West lore to life in a show that ends with a thrilling shootout (and a gun safety message). Want a guaranteed seat? Buy a reserved seat for $2 through Cody Trolley Tours, which departs from the same location.

Visit Buffalo Bill’s Pahaska Tepee

Here in Cody Yellowstone, you can do more than see history from a distance. You can get up close to it. Case in point, make your way to Buffalo Bill Cody’s original hunting lodge, Pahaska Tepee. This is where Buffalo Bill went to relax with friends, including Teddy Roosevelt and the Prince of Monaco. Built in 1904, this hunting lodge sits just outside the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park.

Explore the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center

If there’s someone in the group who likes to see how things work, stop at the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center, located six miles west of Cody. A marvel of early Western engineering, this towering dam was championed by Buffalo Bill himself. Water was as much a concern in the days of Buffalo Bill Cody as it is in the West today.  Cody foresaw that and convinced the U.S. government to build a dam to help conserve that precious resource.

Discover What You Can Dig up at the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum

Stroll through history while viewing hundreds of relic guns and other weapons at the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum. You’ll find rusted revolvers, war relics, and antique firearms that look like they’ve been through a few scrapes (because they have). This quirky museum takes you on a fun-filled and fascinating journey through America’s storied arsenal.

Tour the Meeteetse Museums

In the charming town of Meeteetse, you’ll find three museums housed in one historic building. Meeteetse Museums is comprised of the Meeteetse Museum, the Charles Belden Museum of Western Photography, and the Bank Museum. The museums house an extensive collection of historic items and host a variety of free lectures and tours. Check out their Events Calendar to learn more. 

Take a Hike

Strap on your walking shoes and hike, stroll, and explore downtown Cody and some of the many hiking trails that surround the town. Cody features a variety of shops and art galleries that welcome window shopping visitors.

Spot Wildlife in the Wild

Whether you’re scanning the cliffs for bighorn sheep or catching a glimpse of a grazing bison, wildlife viewing in Cody Yellowstone is a bucket-list experience — and it’s always free. Learn more about the wildlife of Cody Yellowstone, and where to find them, here.

Spot Wildlife in the Towns

There’s a new kind of adventure roaming the streets of Cody, Meeteetse, and Powell—one that doesn’t growl, but it does grin. The Bears in the Basin Scavenger Hunt sends you off on an adventure to find bear statues hidden around Cody, Meeteetse, and Powell for a chance to win fantastic prizes. These nine-inch-tall statues are hidden all around the downtowns of these three communities and are sure to offer a fun challenge for kids and parents alike.

Visit the Homesteader Museum in Powell

The Homesteader Museum in nearby Powell is a collection of exhibits showing the world of pioneers, including renovated homesteader cabins, tools, photographs, and other artifacts depicting the rugged life of a Wyoming homesteader.

Cody Walking Tour with Travel Storys App

Download the Travel Storys app and take a walking tour of Cody. Created in partnership with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the audio includes insider tips and true Western tales. Downtown Cody, including Sheridan Ave. – the town’s main street – is highly walkable, with flat streets and many pedestrian-friendly stops.

Wild West, not Wild Prices

While there’s plenty of free fun to be had in Cody Yellowstone, there’s even more to discover at budget-friendly prices! Here are a few of our favorite moderately priced activities in Cody Yellowstone. 

Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Cody’s Smithsonian-affiliated showstopper is home to five museums under one roof. From the story of Buffalo Bill Cody to frontier life and fine Western art, natural history to Plains Indian heritage, you could spend a whole day (or two) exploring here. And you can do just that — admission is good for two consecutive days! 

Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center

A deeply moving experience awaits at the Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center, where 14,000 Japanese-American citizens were incarcerated following Japan’s bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. The Interpretive Center features thoughtfully presented exhibits that explore a challenging period in the country’s history, making it a must-see stop for students of American history, young and old.

Old Trail Town

Western history buffs will appreciate a visit to Old Trail Town, an enclave of 26 authentic frontier buildings (one used by Butch Cassidy and his gang) and several gravesites, including that of the infamous Jeremiah “Liver Eating” Johnston – portrayed by actor Robert Redford in the 1972 self-titled film. 

Cody Nite Rodeo

The longest-running nightly rodeo in the world, the Cody Nite Rodeo is often travelers’ first real rodeo experience. Watch fearless riders, ropers, bull riders, and bronc busters light up the arena under Wyoming’s big western sky.

Ride the Cody Trolley Tour

Hop aboard a classic trolley for an hour of storytelling gold. Guides spin tales of Cody’s past, from its Wild West roots to its modern-day magic, all while you cruise past landmarks and lively streets.

Experience More for Less

Whether it’s a museum, a mountain, or a mustang in the wild, Cody Yellowstone knows how to deliver big adventure. Here, you’ll find rugged experiences, rich stories, and real Western flavor—proof that the best things in life (and travel) don’t always come with a price tag.

Ready to hit the trail? Download your free copy of the 2025 Cody Yellowstone Adventure Guide and start planning your Wild Western escape.