Cody

State: Wyoming. Type: town, county seat of Park County, northwestern Wyoming. Population 10,028 (2020 census), Wyoming's 11th-largest city. Founded 1896, incorporated 1901, named for founder William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody. Elevation 5,066 feet. Marketed as the 'Rodeo Capital of the World' and gateway to Yellowstone's East Entrance.

Cody was founded in 1896 by William F. 'Buffalo Bill' Cody, who used his Shoshone Irrigation Company to help establish the town, and it was incorporated in 1901. Set in northwestern Wyoming's Bighorn Basin at the county seat of Park County, Cody has built its identity around its founder's Wild West legacy, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West museum complex, and its role as the closest town to Yellowstone National Park's East Entrance. The town enjoys roughly 300 sunny days a year and modest annual precipitation, giving it a dry, high-plains climate. Beyond the museum, Cody is known as the 'Rodeo Capital of the World,' hosting the Cody Stampede Rodeo and nightly summer rodeo performances, along with Old Trail Town, a collection of more than 25 restored historic buildings relocated to the edge of town. Its position roughly 52 miles from Yellowstone's East Entrance makes it a popular base for park visitors as well as a destination in its own right.

Cody is the county seat of Park County in northwestern Wyoming, at approximately 44.51°N, 109.05°W, elevation 5,066 feet. It lies along US Routes 14, 16 and 20, roughly 52 miles east of Yellowstone National Park's East Entrance.

Cody sees about 300 days of sunshine a year and falls in USDA plant hardiness zone 5a. Annual precipitation averages roughly 11.5 inches. January daytime temperatures typically range from about 18-38°F; specific summer highs were not confirmed on the source checked.

Summer is the peak season, coinciding with nightly rodeo performances and full operating hours at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Old Trail Town, and with Yellowstone's own peak season. Given the region's dry, sunny climate, shoulder-season visits in late spring or early fall may offer smaller crowds, though specific shoulder-season attraction hours should be checked directly.

Buffalo Bill Cody founded the town in 1896, using his Shoshone Irrigation Company to help develop the area, and it was incorporated in 1901. The town grew around its founder's fame and its strategic position near Yellowstone, developing tourism infrastructure to serve travelers heading to the park's East Entrance. Its rodeo tradition and Western heritage identity, including the later development of Old Trail Town and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, reinforced Cody's branding around its namesake's Wild West legacy.

Visitors can tour the Buffalo Bill Center of the West's five museums, watch nightly summer rodeo performances (Cody bills itself as the 'Rodeo Capital of the World'), and explore Old Trail Town's 25-plus restored historic buildings. The town's dining scene ranges from burgers and steak to sushi and craft brews. Cody is also widely used as a base for day trips into Yellowstone via the East Entrance, about 52 miles away.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is the town's flagship attraction. Old Trail Town preserves more than 25 relocated historic frontier buildings. The Cody Stampede Rodeo grounds host the town's signature summer rodeo events. Yellowstone National Park's East Entrance, about 52 miles west, is a major draw for visitors based in Cody.

Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) sits about 2 miles/2 minutes from downtown Cody and offers commercial flights. By road, Cody is served by US Highways 14, 16 and 20; the BNSF Railway's Cody Branch provides freight (not passenger) service. Driving from Yellowstone's East Entrance takes visitors along the scenic Wapiti Valley route into town.

Specific town-wide hours don't apply since Cody is a town rather than a single attraction; individual sites like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Old Trail Town keep their own seasonal hours (see their entries). Check individual attractions directly for current hours.

There's no admission fee to visit the town itself; individual attractions such as the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Old Trail Town charge their own separate admission (see the Buffalo Bill Center of the West entry for confirmed museum pricing).

Many visitors spend one to three days in Cody, splitting time between the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Old Trail Town, rodeo performances, and day trips toward Yellowstone.

Cody offers a range of lodging from hotels and motels to bed-and-breakfasts and full-service campgrounds, per official area tourism resources; specific property names were not confirmed on the sources checked, so none are cited here.

Cody's dining scene spans casual burger-and-shake spots, steakhouses, sushi and craft breweries, according to area tourism sources; specific restaurant names were not confirmed on the sources checked.

Yellowstone National Park's East Entrance is about 52 miles west of town via the Wapiti Valley. The Bighorn Basin and surrounding Absaroka mountain scenery offer additional day-trip options from Cody.

Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), about 2 miles from downtown, is the closest commercial airport. A rental car is the practical way to explore the surrounding area, including the drive to Yellowstone.

As a gateway town to Yellowstone, Cody sees heavy seasonal traffic in summer; drivers heading to the park should watch for wildlife on the Wapiti Valley route. Standard small-town safety practices apply otherwise; for any emergency, dial 911.

Sun protection is worth packing given the area's roughly 300 sunny days a year; layered clothing helps with cooler mornings/evenings typical of the high-elevation, dry climate. A rental car is effectively necessary for exploring beyond downtown.

Book accommodations ahead for summer visits, since Cody's calendar (rodeo season, Yellowstone travelers) draws heavy demand. Consider basing in Cody for a few days to combine the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Old Trail Town, rodeo performances and a Yellowstone East Entrance day trip.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For visitor information, contact the Cody Yellowstone visitor resources at codyyellowstone.org.

Cody Yellowstone (Park County Travel Council) - https://www.codyyellowstone.org

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.