Turn Off the Phone and Have Some Digital-Free Fun in Cody Yellowstone This Year

Are you sick of doom-scrolling the news and Instagramming your meals? You’re not alone. Digital detox vacations are trendy, and it’s easy to find articles with tips like “get an alarm clock,” “read a real, honest-to-goodness paper book”, and “start writing pen-and-paper letters again.” 

These are all good tips, of course. And we’ll add one more: have an adventure in places where there is no cell service. 

With nearly 7,000 square miles of mountains, valleys, and rivers, there’s plenty of room to roam in Cody Yellowstone — and almost all of it has sporadic or non-existent cell service. It is a land of sparse human population — only four residents for every square mile. 

Visitors to this rugged corner of northwest Wyoming will find plenty of human-powered adventures where cell service is unlikely. Our advice is to keep your phone handy for photos, but do your posting after you get home from your adventure.

Here are eight ideas for having some digital-free fun.

Go Fishing 

Fishing is a year-round passion in Cody Yellowstone, with an abundance of top-flight fishing spots, including the North and South Forks of the Shoshone River and rivers and streams in Yellowstone National Park. Book an adventure with a fishing guide and get expert advice about where to go and how to have the best experiences. 

Try Hiking

There are more than 1,100 miles of mapped trails to hike in Yellowstone, as well as numerous trails in and around the town of Cody. Close to town is Cedar Mountain (also known as Spirt Mountain), which is covered with trails, including some that lead to a bison statue near the spot that Buffalo Bill Cody wanted as his gravesite. An hour’s drive from Cody is the Clarks Fork Trail, which is five miles out and back and takes an estimated four hours to complete. Inside Yellowstone, the 6.3-mile Delacy Creek Trail starts near the road between West Thumb and Old Faithful and ends at Shoshone Lake.   

Watch Wildlife

See a bison, bear, eagle, bighorn sheep, river otter, fox, coyote, elk, or wolf in the wild. Spotting wildlife is free, and visitors typically don’t have to go far to see an array of species. Tip: Bring binoculars wherever you go and practice safe viewing by keeping plenty of distance from the animal. 

Paddle Out

With rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs, paddlers will find plenty of options for rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and float fishing. Several Cody outfitters offer river rafting on the Shoshone River.

Put the Pedal to the Metal 

Mountain biking in Cody Yellowstone allows visitors to take in the scenery at their own pace while getting some exercise in the fresh Wyoming air. Riders won’t want to miss the new Beck Lake Mountain Bike Park and Trail System southeast of Cody. The Outlaw Trail stretches from New Mexico to Montana and includes a recently renovated section near Cody. The outlaw in question is none other than Butch Cassidy. Slickrock Trail, just east of Cody, features sandstone slabs and a load of challenges.

Saddle Up

Equestrians have been drawn to rugged Cody Yellowstone since legendary horseback showman Buffalo Bill Cody founded the town. With numerous guest and dude ranches offering equestrian experiences for visitors of all levels, horseback riding remains one of the most popular authentic adventures in Cody Yellowstone. People who prefer to ride their own horses have close to 1,400 miles of non-mechanized trails from which to choose in the Shoshone National Forest, also known as the “horse forest.”

Go Off Highway

Because so much of Cody Yellowstone is comprised of public lands, opportunities for Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) are plentiful. Under the auspices of the Bureau of Land Management, McCollough Peaks Wilderness Study encompasses more than 25,000 acres and some 60 miles of OHV trails. There’s also the Wood River area featuring trails to Kirwin Ghost Town, as well as Monument Hill Road north of Cody, featuring classic views. 

Get Really Remote 

To the south of Yellowstone Lake, inside the park, is an area known as “The Thorofare.” This area is regarded as the most remote part of the Lower 48 states because it is farther from a road than any other. We recommend hiring a local guide service and making a multi-day hike or horseback ride.

Unplug in the Natural Wonder of Cody Yellowstone 

Sometimes, the best way to tune in is to tune out. Put the phone on silent and let Cody Yellowstone be your focus for a few days. Start planning your digital detox getaway today.