Discover Cody: Culture, Rodeos and Trails

Cody combines the history of the American West with museums, rodeos, trails and distinctive scenic routes. Anyone planning a trip to Wyoming can choose between cultural discoveries, events and outdoor activities here. When searching for a vacation rental or holiday home in Cody, the most important factor is therefore your personal travel focus: Would you like to explore the city’s history in depth, experience special events or spend your days between parks, water and scenic byways?

Cultural History and Western Craftsmanship

The Cody Heritage Museum presents the founding of Cody as well as the history of ranching and agriculture. Its topics also include early businesses, the tourism-based economy, the influence of the oil, gas and railroad industries, and the region’s cowboy history. Old Trail Town offers a different way to explore the past. The site is located on the original town grounds of Cody City, Wyoming, and comprises 28 historic buildings.

At the Historic Cody Mural and Museum, a ceiling mural completed in 1951 takes center stage in a rotunda. It depicts scenes from the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The museum also presents the contributions and challenges of the pioneers who settled the Big Horn Basin from 1900 to 1910. The city’s historic character also includes the DeMaris House, described as the first single-family home at this end of town.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West houses five museums and a research library under one roof. Authentic chuckwagon dinners are also offered in the same building. By Western Hands Museum & Gallery complements these attractions with a focus on Western functional art and design. Anyone who would rather learn about Cody’s history through storytelling can consider Cody Trolley Tours: storytellers, historic photographs and audio clips convey the history of the city founded by Buffalo Bill in the Rocky Mountains.

Rodeos and Special Travel Occasions

Since 1938, the Cody Nite Rodeo has offered two hours of wild, family-friendly entertainment in the Western style. Another regular event is the Cody Stampede Rodeo, held every year from July 1 to 4. The program includes rodeo entertainment, a craft fair, food vendors and daily parades. These dates can play an important role in travel planning if you would like to experience Cody on a particular occasion.

The Cody Firearms Experience offers instructor-led shooting sessions with live ammunition. The sessions cover history and safety and involve more than 50 firearms. Different opening hours apply when planning a visit: In summer, the facility is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. From October to April, it is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

Parks, Trails and Scenic Byways

Cody also offers plenty of specific options for spending time outdoors. The city has more than 25 developed parks and nine miles of trails. Fishing opportunities include the Shoshone River, Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Beck Lake and Lake Creek. Heritage Garden is a permanent living exhibit with an outdoor educational area. It features native plants, pollinator plants, wildflowers and grasses.

Two scenic byways are described for further travel planning. The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway branches off Wyoming Highway 120 north of Cody and heads west and north. The Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River through the East Yellowstone Valley, also known as Wapiti Valley, to the eastern entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This makes it possible to compare different priorities: cultural days in Cody, trails and parks in the city, or a travel plan that includes one of the routes mentioned above.

Choose Accommodation According to Your Preferred Travel Pace

When choosing your accommodation in Cody, you can first decide which experiences should shape your vacation. For a culture-focused stay, museums, historic buildings, murals, Western functional art and the city’s history take center stage. Those who prefer events can plan around the Cody Nite Rodeo or the dates from July 1 to 4. For a more active itinerary, parks, trails, fishing opportunities and the scenic byways described above offer specific inspiration.

Searching for a vacation rental in Cody therefore helps not only with choosing accommodation but also with structuring your own vacation around history, Western culture and landscapes. Anyone who would also like to explore another destination can include Powell in their research.

For the higher-level travel overview: Park.