Fall Arrives Soon in Cody Yellowstone; Here’s How to Enjoy It

CODY, Wyo., August 18, 2020 – When fall comes to Cody Yellowstone, celebrations of the season take many forms. Artists paint fall landscapes. Anglers cast for trout in secluded streams and rivers. Equestrians saddle up. Bears bulk up. Hikers lace up. Tent campers set up. RVers hook up. And amorous male elk build up their harems.

“The appeal of Cody Yellowstone is unmatched in any season, but in my admittedly biased opinion, fall is one of the very best times of the year to visit,” said Claudia Wade, director of the Park County Travel Council, the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Meeteetse, Powell and the valley east of Yellowstone National Park. “As the summer family vacation season comes to an end, we typically welcome mostly mature visitors in the fall, and their interests generally tend to be focused on more solitary pursuits like wildlife watching and fishing.”

Wade, who has lived most of her life in northwestern Wyoming, looks forward to the season personally, and she often ventures into the wilderness for hiking, wildlife watching and reflecting. “After saying goodbye our summer visitors and some of the summer-season attractions like the Cody Nite Rodeo, this is the time we recharge our personal batteries with long, quiet walks and a renewed appreciation for nature.”

Here’s what visitors to Cody Yellowstone can experience in the fall:

Wildlife. The forests, river valleys, mountains and canyons of the region are home to bears, elk, wolves, moose, bighorn sheep, bison, pronghorn, deer, eagles, river otters and many other mammals, birds and other species. Some species such are extremely active during this period as they prep for the long Yellowstone winter. Bears fill up on pine nuts in a final attempt to fatten up before descending into their dens. Male elk court prospective mates by shrilly bugling and challenging other males to battles. Visitors can observe these primitive rituals in places like Mammoth Hot Springs in the northern region of the park.

Blue-ribbon trout fishing. An abundance of top-flight fishing spots including North and South Forks of the Shoshone River and rivers and streams in Yellowstone National Park. Local fishing outfitters offer guides, maps and advice.

Driving. Road-tripping in the fall is a memorable way to enjoy fall color, with five scenic drives leading into Cody that take travelers past some of Wyoming’s most breathtaking valleys, mountain passes, rivers and forests.

Hiking. Fall beauty can also be appreciated along its hiking trails, which are numerous throughout the region. Local favorites include the Bluebird Trail on Bureau of Land Management land five miles from town. Cedar Mountain Trail begins with a strenuous uphill climb, and hikers are rewarded with spectacular views from the summit. The Prickly Pear Trail is a paved walking trail that circles two lakes.

History. The Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center offers a glimpse of the lives of some 14,000 Japanese-American citizens who were incarcerated there during World War II. Opened in August 2011, the center explores that difficult period of the country’s history with thoughtful exhibits that encourage visitors to ask the question “could this happen today?”.

More history. The storied life of the town’s founder, Colonel William Frederick Cody, is presented in the Buffalo Bill Museum, one of five museums that comprise the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. There are also museums dedicated to firearms, fine Western Art, the Plains Indians of the region and the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Open year-round, rates, schedules and Covid-19 protocols are listed here.

And even more history. Cody Yellowstone is full of attractions that educate visitors about the destination and the lifestyles of early visitors and residents. Among them are the Buffalo Bill Dam and Visitor Center, By Western Hands, Old Trail Town and Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel.

Art. The annual Rendezvous Royale – a fall-season extravaganza of galas, art sales and special events – is offering a line-up of Western art-themed experiences. Although scaled down this year due to Covid-19, several traditional events are still taking place including Scout’s Miniature Sale, Painting on the Porch, Colorful Canvases, Annual Art Walk, Quick Draw Downtown, Truckin’ Along Watch Party, and the 39th annual Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, available in person or virtually.

Rock climbing. The region is well-suited to climbing, with porous rock creating drainages and rock formations that appeal to climbers of all abilities. Conditions are typically good for rock climbing through October. Local outfitters lead classes and rock-climbing expeditions throughout the region.

###

Home of the Great American Adventure, Cody Yellowstone is comprised of the northwestern Wyoming towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as the valley east of Yellowstone National Park. 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.

Related hashtags:

#YellowstoneCountry

#CodyWyoming

#CenteroftheWest

#BuffaloBill

#Yellowstone

#ThatsWY

 

Media contact:

Mesereau Travel Public Relations

720-284-1512

[email protected]

[email protected]