Here’s What You Can Do in Cody and Yellowstone Right Now

Cody Yellowstone is full of adventure for eager adventurers! There’s camping and fishing, museum-hopping and wildlife-spotting, paddling, rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, rodeo-watching, and more waiting for you! And that’s all before you set off to explore the majesty of Yellowstone, the world’s first national park. 

With two gateways to Yellowstone National Park and numerous authentic Western experiences in the historic town of Cody, this destination in the corner of northwestern Wyoming has implemented smart, practical procedures for hosting tourists during the continuing Covid-19 crisis. 

Cody was founded nearly 125 years ago by indefatigable showman Buffalo Bill Cody, whose zest for adventure took him to many corners of the country and world. But no place called to him like Wyoming’s Bighorn Basin. Here, he envisioned and built a tourism destination like no other place on Earth.

Cody is particularly well-suited for social distancing because that’s the way Buffalo Bill laid out the town. He constructed streets that are unusually wide to allow for easier maneuvering of stagecoaches and other horse-drawn vehicles. Sidewalks are wide, and there are green spaces everywhere for visitors to rest and enjoy the whimsical Western-themed sculptures throughout the town. Additionally, many restaurants have large sidewalk patios and decks for outdoor dining, while also offering carryout service. 

For generations, Cody Yellowstone has been a classic road-trip destination. It’s a place known for traditional Western attractions like the Cody Nite Rodeo, fascinating museums like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and outdoor adventures like horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and hiking.

There are accommodations choices for every budget and interest here. You’ll find RV parks and campgrounds, dude and guest ranches, traditional hotels, and boutique inns. No matter where you stay, you’ll find the warm and welcoming folks this neck of the woods is known for.

Of course, in these unique times, it’s useful to have a little info on what’s open and what you can do when visiting. Luckily, we can help with that! Here’s the latest on what to do and see in Cody Yellowstone. 

(Please note: we’ve tried to keep this list as up-to-date as possible. If you’re wondering about a specific attraction you don’t see on this list, we recommend contacting them directly.) 

Museums

Most museums are open with some restrictions. All museums have implemented rigorous cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Some museums require guests to wear masks. Please check websites for the latest visitor guidelines. 

• Buffalo Bill Center of the West is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Some interactive exhibits have been temporarily closed.
• Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning June 20. 
• Old Trail Town is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
• Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Cody Dug Up Gun Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
• By Western Hands Museum & Gallery is open. 
• Cody Heritage Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
• Meeteetse Museums are open with some restrictions. 

Attractions

• The Cody Nite Rodeo is staging nightly rodeo performances with limited seating through Sept. 10. 
• Cody Trolley Tours offers two trips daily with a limited number of passengers to allow for social distancing.
• Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue is staging performances a 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday nights. Reservations are required and seating is limited. 
• The Cody Cattle Company is featuring nightly performances at 5 p.m. with limited seating. 
• The Cody Firearms Experience is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The Wild Bunch Gunfighters are staging free performances in front of Buffalo Bill’s Historic Irma Hotel, Monday through Saturday at 6 p.m.
• Yellowstone National Park is open with restrictions. 

Outdoor Adventures

• Camping. There are numerous campgrounds throughout the region, including Buffalo Bill State Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Shoshone National Forest. 
• Fishing. Cody Yellowstone is known for its blue-ribbon trout stream fishing. Several outfitters in Cody offer guides and information. 
• Horseback riding. The region features an array of equestrian-friendly trails and outfitters. Many dude and guest ranches offer horseback riding as well. 
• Rafting and kayaking. Outfitters offer a variety of trips on the Shoshone River. 
• Ziplining. The Sleeping Giant Zipline is open daily through Sept. 15.
• Hiking. There are hiking trails and parkways throughout the region. 

Are you ready for a great American adventure unlike any other? Make your way to Cody Yellowstone! Start planning your visit today — we can’t wait to see you.