Cody Yellowstone’s Latest Wild Adventure, Bears in the Basin, is a Kid-Pleasing Scavenger Hunt That Celebrates the Region’s Wildlife Heritage and Storied Past
CODY, Wyo., May 13, 2024 – On Friday, June 7, swarms of children in the Northwestern Wyoming communities of Powell, Cody and Meeteetse will be going bear-hunting, with doting parents tagging along.
The kids will be searching for three kinds of “bears” – “Buffalo Bear Cody” in Cody, “Farmer Growl” in Powell and “Amelia Bearhart” in Meeteetse. Highlighting what each town is noted for, the bears also showcase the considerable talents of local artist, Tanner Loren. These “Bears in the Basin” – named for the region’s famous free-roaming wildlife species as well as its location in the Bighorn Basin – is the latest free, thematic trail for visitors and residents of Cody Yellowstone.
After downloading the free Bears in the Basin app through Bandwango, Bears in the Basin participants are invited to hunt for the nine-inch bear statues situated in each town’s downtown in a variety of spots. The three bear statues reflect the heritage of three towns in Cody Yellowstone. Farmer Growl celebrates Powell’s homesteading and farming heritage. It is an apt depiction, as the town of Powell continues to embrace a burgeoning agritourism culture. Amelia Bearhart reflects an interesting piece of Meeteetse heritage. Before she disappeared during her round-the-world flight, aviatrix Amelia Earhart – charmed by the exquisite beauty of the northwestern Wyoming backcountry – had begun building a cabin just outside of Kirwin, now a ghost town near Meeteetse. Intrepid hikers and UTVers can still travel to the cabin site today. And Buffalo Bear Cody is a nod to Cody’s famous founder, Buffalo Bill Cody.
The more Bears in the Basin kids spot the more points they earn for free prizes.
Bears in the Basin kicks off on June 7 with a ribbon-cutting at the Commons in Powell at 10 a.m., Bell Plaza in Cody at noon and the Visitor Center in Meeteetse at 2 p.m. June 7 will be the only day prizes are redeemable in person, which will be at the visitor centers. June 8 and beyond prizes will be sent to participants’ homes using the information given on the Bears in the Basin app.
“All three Cody Yellowstone towns have an abundance of one-of-a-kind places to visits and see, and through this fun Bears in the Basin scavenger hunt, we think our visitors will discover some of these lesser-known gems,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region that also includes parts of the Shoshone National Forest and a large swath of Yellowstone National Park. “The whimsical Bears in the Basin statues are also just plain fun, and they showcase the incredible talents of one of our top local artists.”
Bears in the Basin joins Cody Yellowstone’s popular Sippin’ Trail and Wild West Trail, which both are also offered through the free Bandwango app.
The Sippin’ Trail highlights the region’s vibrant bar and restaurant scene. The more places participants stop, the more free prizes they can earn. With a burgeoning craft brewery scene, all which produce beers using Powell-grown barley, the Sippin’ Trail is an especially apt offering. Cody was named the No. 1 Small Town Beer Scene recently by USA Today in a Reader’s Choice contest.
The Wild West Trail highlights attractions that celebrate Cody Yellowstone’s Wild West heritage, such as Pahaska Tepee, Old Trail Town, the Cody Cattle Company, Meeteetse Museums, the Homesteader Museum and Cody Trolley Tours. Like the trail passes, the more places participants visit, the more points they earn for free prizes.
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Home of the Great American Adventure, Cody Yellowstone is comprised of the northwestern Wyoming towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as areas inside of Yellowstone National Park and the valley east of the entrance. The region is known for rodeos, authentic guest and dude ranches, world-class museums and recreational adventures that reflect the adventurous spirit of the visionaries and explorers who brought the remote region to the world’s attention.
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#CenteroftheWest
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Media contact:
Mesereau Travel Public Relations
720-284-1512
