The Roundup: What You’ll Learn in This Article

• How to get to Cody Yellowstone in winter, by air or scenic drive

• Where to stay, from historic hotels to cozy motels

• Local-favorite winter dining spots, from steakhouses to wood-fired pizza

• The best winter activities: snowmobiling, ice climbing, skiing, and more

• Where to watch wildlife like elk, bison, and bighorn sheep

• Spots to enjoy unique cultural experiences, shopping, and hidden gems

• How to plan your snow-season escape with the Cody Yellowstone Vacation Guide

When winter rolls in and the crowds roll out, Cody Yellowstone becomes a land of snowy canyons, icy rivers, and bold adventure.

Here, 7,000 square miles of untamed wilderness surround three frontier towns where winter means more room to roam, more Wild to witness, and fewer people to compete with for the view. Chase bison tracks on skis, scale frozen waterfalls, rev up a snowmobile or sip cocoa while watching elk wander through the snow. However you do winter, Cody delivers.

How to Get to Cody Yellowstone in Winter: Flights + Scenic Drives

Flying in? Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) puts you just five minutes from downtown Cody, with daily connections via Denver (DEN). Driving? The roads are open, and the views are epic.

Where to Stay: From Historic Hotels to Hidden Gems

From budget motels and boutique inns to historic icons and upscale retreats, Cody Yellowstone has a room for every traveler.

If you’re planning to spend more time in snow boots than slippers, consider:

• A Western Rose Motel
• Comfort Inn at Buffalo Bill Village Resort
• Moose Creek Lodge & Suites
• The Scout Inn 

If you love a little history with your accommodations, look at: 

• Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel
• The Chamberlin Inn 

And if you’re the type who loves a little luxury in your stay, try: 

• Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites 
• The Cody

Where to Eat in Winter: Steakhouses, Sips & Surprises

Cody, Powell, and Meeteetse dish up everything from James Beard-nominated bites to Wyoming’s best prime rib buffet. Here are a few local favorites worth the stop:

• Irma Hotel Dining Room: Buffalo Bill built this place in 1902, and it’s still serving one of the best prime rib buffets in Wyoming. Locals pile in on chilly nights for comfort food and stories as thick as the gravy.
• Sitti’s Table: This James Beard–nominated restaurant draws from Lebanese roots to create soulful, seasonal plates — perfect after a snowy day in the high country.
• Cody Steakhouse: If only the best steak in town will do, this centrally located steakhouse is the place to go. 
• The Blanka Tatanka: Inventive Western fare with a modern twist. Warm up with wagyu, sip craft cocktails, and catch live music on select nights. It’s a local favorite for a reason.
• The Elkhorn Bar & Grill (Meeteetse): Set on a historic wooden boardwalk, this local gem serves hearty burgers and beer to snowmobilers, hunters, and hikers alike. No frills, all flavor.
• Skyline Café (Powell): Locally loved, this Powell staple is known for its delicious homestyle offerings.
• Trailhead Bar-Grill-Wood-Fired Pizza: A cozy, reservation-worthy spot for hand-tossed pizza and Northern Italian cuisine, best enjoyed with a glass of red after your day on the trails.

For a complete list of eateries in Cody Yellowstone visit the website.

What to Do in Cody Yellowstone This Winter

In Cody Yellowstone, winter opens the door to days filled with memorable adventures. Here’s how to make the most of snow season:

Observe frosty critters at sunrise. Watch the sunrise over the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway as bison steam in the cold air, elk drift through the snow, and bighorn sheep scale cliffs just off the road.

Snowmobile inside and outside Yellowstone National Park. Snowmobiling enthusiasts can take a snowmobile tour in the park as well as on public lands outside the park, where there are more than 1,000 trails. Or, ride deep into the powder-rich backcountry of the Beartooths — one of the most popular snowmobile areas in the country — known for its stunning beauty and thrilling terrain.

Cross-country ski through the forest. The region offers classic tracks and skate lanes along the Shoshone River at Pahaska Tepee near the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park. Or head to the remote Wood River Valley Ski Touring Park. 

Skis and snowshoes can be rented at Sunlight Sports on Sheridan Ave. There’s also skiing inside the park with Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

Climb a frozen waterfall. With more than 200 ice routes, Cody is one of North America’s top frozen playgrounds. New to the sport? Go guided, or visit during the Wyoming Ice Fest (Jan 1–4) for climbs, clinics, and camaraderie.

Go Ice Skating inside or outside. Spin laps at the indoor Riley Arena in Cody or bundle up for old-school fun at Powell’s outdoor rink in Homesteader Park, complete with warming hut, concessions, and lighting for late-night skates.

Stroll along the Cody Yellowstone Sippin’ Trail. The Sippin’ Trail blends craft beers, cocktails, cigars, and cowboy character, making it a great way to experience some of the town’s most popular restaurants and bars. Download the app, sip your way through town, and trade in your stops for T-shirts, pint glasses, and bragging rights.

Shop for art, Western attire and more. Cody Yellowstone is a gold mine for handmade goods and locally crafted gear. Our neck of the woods is home to numerous art galleries, museum stores and shops with an array of Western-themed gift items. Pick up a pair of classic cowboy boots at the Irma Hotel gift shop or Wayne’s Boots. Take home some sweet treats from the Cowtown Candy Company or Meeteetse Chocolatier. Or choose locally made artwork on display at Cody Arts. 

See the cultural side of Cody. Winter is the best time to explore our many museums. With fewer crowds, there’s more time for stories, reflection, and learning all kinds of fascinating new facts. Make sure to set aside some time to spend at the five-museum Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center, and By Western Hands. 

Improve your aim. At the Cody Firearms Experience, you’ll feel the kick of history as you test your shooting skills at the indoor shooting range. The facility features dozens of replica guns that showcase the history of firearms in the West. 

An Unforgettable Cody Yellowstone Winter is Waiting 

Snow falls, elk calls, and the feeling you’ve got it all to yourself. Request your free Vacation Guide and start planning your snow-season escape to Cody Yellowstone today.