Here’s How to Offset Pain at the Pump During a Cody Yellowstone Vacation This Summer

CODY, Wyo., March 27,2026 – Northwestern Wyoming’s Cody Yellowstone has been a classic road-trippers’ destination ever since the post-World War II optimism led families to enthusiastically set out to “see the USA in their Chevrolet.”

As the destination marks the 250th birthday of the U.S. with an array of special events leading up to July 4, Cody Yellowstone is expecting a record number of travelers this summer. The spike in gas prices is unlikely to change that.

Interestingly, the average price of gasoline in the mid-1950s, when the “See the USA in Your Chevrolet” ads were released, was $.29 per gallon. The equivalent price in today’s dollars is $3.52, just slightly lower than $3.98, the average price of gas in the U.S. today. The average gas mileage that cars achieve today is between 40-49 miles per gallon, about four times the 11 miles per gallon in cars of the 1950s.

“As one of the classic road trip destinations, we have always been sensitive to fluctuations in gas prices, and we know that unplanned expenses like spikes in gas can have a big impact on vacation budgets,” said Katrina Southern, marketing manager for Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, a large swath of the Shoshone National Forest and about half of Yellowstone National Park. “Fortunately, Cody Yellowstone has always been an affordable destination, and there are plenty of free and moderately priced things to do here. With a little planning our visitors can experience a memorable vacation that won’t break the bank.”

Occupying nearly 7,000 square miles and with much of the destination untouched by development, Cody Yellowstone has plenty of room for exploration. The destination includes abundant outdoor recreational choices in the world’s first national park, Yellowstone, and world’s first national forest, Shoshone National Forest. There are also five Scenic Byways, museums, historic sites and classic attractions such as the Cody Nite Rodeo. Many of the destination’s popular attractions are free, while attractions are priced for vacationers on a budget. For example, adult tickets for Old Trail Town, a collection of authentic frontier buildings salvaged from throughout the region, are only $15.

Southern noted that there are still plenty of lodging options in Cody as well as at dude ranches in Shoshone National Forest and lodges inside the park. But rooms as well as adventures like guided day tours into Yellowstone are filling fast.

“If you are planning a trip to Cody Yellowstone this year, book your rooms and adventures soon for the best options,” Southern advised.

Once visitors arrive in Cody Yellowstone, they will find many options for free and moderately priced adventures. Here are some ideas.

Try slow travel and human-powered adventures. Cody Yellowstone features thousands of acres of pristine wilderness and a vast trail system just outside park boundaries. Hikers can see many of the same kinds of natural wonders – rock formations, free-roaming wildlife, valleys, forests and rivers – that can be seen inside the park boundaries. There are also numerous bridle trails, and many ranches that dot the Wapiti Valley between downtown Cody and the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park offer horseback trail rides. Other human-powered adventures include rock climbing, camping, rafting and cycling.

Walk the town. Cody is a highly walkable town, and it is easy to walk from one end of the town to the other without breaking a sweat. Cody’s main street, Sheridan Avenue, features numerous restaurants, galleries, shops, hotels, museums and historic buildings. Walking enthusiasts can download a free TravelStorys downtown Cody walking tour that tells the story of the town.

Let someone else do the driving. Cody Yellowstone is home to several tour companies that offer day-long and multi-day guided park adventures. Experienced and knowledgeable driver guides navigate Cody Yellowstone’s Scenic Byways and the roads inside the park while sharing with their passengers tales about the human history, geothermal features and wildlife of the region.

Find free and moderately priced things to do. The destination offers museums with free admission, including By Western Hands Museum & Gallery, Meeteetse Museums, Pahaska Tepee, Cody Heritage Museum, Dug Up Gun Museum, Historic Cody Mural & Museum, Homesteader Museum and the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center. Other free experiences include browsing the art at the Cody Country Art League and the many downtown Cody galleries. There are moderately priced attractions as well, including the acclaimed Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Old Trail Town & Museum of the West and Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center.

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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 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.

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Media contact:

Mesereau Travel Public Relations

720-284-1512

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