Cody
Around Cody
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Town and around · Wyoming · 31k people
Cody
Locals say Big Horn Basin · “Rodeo Capital of the World”, “Gateway to Yellowstone”
Cowboy country at Yellowstone's door
Wyoming Gold
Welcome to Cody, the heart of the Big Horn Basin. Here you'll find the spirit of the West in every rodeo, trail, and small‑town smile. Get ready to explore the mountains, fish the rivers, and soak in the history that made this place legendary.
Clubs for Cody
No clubs for Cody yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Cody. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Cody. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West Five museums under one roof, celebrating the American West.
- Cody Nite Rodeo Grounds Arena hosting the nightly summer rodeo.
- Old Trail Town A collection of authentic frontier buildings.
- Buffalo Bill Dam Historic dam on the Shoshone River, with a visitor center.
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Deep canyon and reservoir, popular for boating and fishing.
- Cody Firearms Museum Part of the Buffalo Bill Center, housing an extensive gun collection.
- Outdoors Hike in Shoshone National Forest
- Outdoors Fish the Shoshone River
- With kids Cody Nite Rodeo
- With kids Buffalo Bill Center of the West
- Evenings Honky‑tonk bars
- Evenings Cowboy bars on Sheridan Avenue
- Locals love Rodeo arenas
- Locals love Dude ranches
Through the year
- Cody Stampede Rodeo July The biggest rodeo in the region, held around July 4th with parades and fireworks.
- Cody Nite Rodeo June–August Every night during summer, a professional rodeo at the Cody Rodeo Grounds.
- Park County Fair August County fair with livestock, carnival rides, and local exhibits.
- Washakie County Fair August Fair in Worland featuring rodeo, 4‑H shows, and community events.
- Powell Sweet Corn Festival August Annual celebration of local sweet corn with food, music, and family activities.
Semi‑arid with cold winters and warm summers. Best time to be out is June through September. Best: June through September are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “the Basin”
- The Big Horn Basin, the local area
- “Cody Nite”
- The nightly summer rodeo in Cody
- “outfit”
- A ranch or ranch operation
Getaways
- Jackson (Yellowstone) Gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone, about 2 hours west.
- Billings Largest city in Montana, with shopping, dining, and the Rimrocks.
- Bozeman College town with a vibrant downtown and access to the Bridger Range.
- Sheridan Historic town with a lively Main Street and the Bighorn Mountains nearby.
Local flavour
Rooting for Wyoming Cowboys (NCAA), Denver Broncos (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Rockies (MLB)
Eat and drink
- Bison burger Local ranches supply bison; a staple in Cody steakhouses and rodeo concessions.
- Huckleberry pie Wild huckleberries from nearby mountains are a regional treat.
- Wyoming steak Beef from the Big Horn Basin, often served at cowboy-themed restaurants.
Where people go
- Rodeo arenas Cody's nightly rodeo in summer is a defining institution.
- Dude ranches Guest ranches around the area offer horseback riding and western hospitality.
- Saloons and cowboy bars Historic watering holes with a western vibe.
- Yellowstone gateway The east entrance to Yellowstone National Park is nearby, shaping tourism and local identity.
Heritage and traditions
Cody and the Big Horn Basin are proud of their Wild West heritage, the legacy of Buffalo Bill, and being the gateway to Yellowstone, while also honoring the area's ranching, Mormon pioneer, and Japanese-American internment history.
This time of year in Cody
- Hunting season Fall Elk and deer hunts in the fall, with many locals taking time off.
Say it like a local: “Buckaroo” — A term for a cowboy, often used affectionately.
Festivals
- Cody Old West Days May Memorial Day weekend celebrates the town's Wild West history with a parade and reenactments.
- Lovell Mustang Days June A small-town festival with a parade, rodeo, and community gathering.
- Heart Mountain Pilgrimage August Annual gathering to remember the Japanese-American internment, with speakers and exhibits.
- Powell Sweet Corn Festival August Celebrating the local corn harvest with food stalls and family fun.
Landmarks with a story
- Irma Hotel Built by Buffalo Bill in 1902, named after his daughter, and still operating with a famous cherrywood bar.
- Heart Mountain Interpretive Center Commemorates the WWII Japanese-American internment camp, with powerful exhibits.
- Cody Historic District Downtown Cody with original storefronts, the Irma Hotel, and the Cody Gunfighters sculpture.
- Buffalo Bill Statue A bronze statue of Buffalo Bill on horseback in front of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
- Old Trail Town A collection of original late-1800s buildings, including a saloon and a cabin used by Butch Cassidy.
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Historic ranches and Native American rock art along the canyon.
Food traditions
- Dutch oven cooking A staple at ranch gatherings and outdoor events, with hearty stews and cobblers cooked over coals.
- Elk and game meat Local hunters bring in elk, deer, and antelope, often served as steaks or jerky.
- Sourdough bread A cowboy tradition, with sourdough starter passed down through generations.
- Huckleberry jam Made from wild huckleberries picked in the mountains, a sweet local treat.
- Cowboy coffee Strong, black coffee brewed over an open fire, a must at camp.
Music and arts
- Western art and bronze sculpture The Whitney Western Art Museum in the Buffalo Bill Center showcases classic and contemporary Western art.
- Cowboy poetry A local tradition of reciting verses about ranch life, often at gatherings.
- Country and western music Live music at bars and rodeos, with a strong country influence.
A little history
- 1896 Buffalo Bill founded Cody
- 1942-1945 Heart Mountain internment camp operated
- 1900s Mormon settlers irrigated the Big Horn Basin
- 1910 Buffalo Bill Dam completed
- 1891 Shoshone National Forest established as first national forest
Rivalries
- Cody vs Powell high school football The annual 'Battle for the Basin' is a big local event.
- Wyoming Cowboys vs Montana State Bobcats Nearby college rivalry, especially in football and basketball.
- Cody vs Worland basketball Regional basketball rivalry that draws packed gyms.
- Game day Cody Nite Rodeo
- Game day Cody Stampede Rodeo
- Outdoors Snowmobiling in the Beartooth Mountains
- Outdoors Floating the Shoshone River
- With kids Cody Trolley Tours
- With kids Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center
Locals speak with a relaxed Western American accent, using ranch and outdoors vocabulary. You'll hear 'howdy' and 'buckaroo' more often than in the city, and a drawl on long vowels.
Only here
- The Cody Nite Rodeo runs every night from June through August, one of the longest-running nightly rodeos in the country.
- You can see the original cabins from the Heart Mountain internment camp, preserved at the Interpretive Center.
- The Buffalo Bill Center of the West houses five museums under one roof, including a firearms museum with over 7,000 guns.
- Cody is the eastern gateway to Yellowstone, so you can see bison on the road just outside town.
New here? A few tips
- Drink plenty of water; the altitude is around 5,000 feet and you'll dehydrate quickly.
- Expect big temperature swings; pack layers even in summer.
- Tourist season peaks in July and August, so book lodging early and expect traffic near Yellowstone.
- Learn to say 'Cody' with a long 'o' (like 'code-ee').
- Try the bison burger and huckleberry pie—local favorites.
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Nearby
Every areaBig Horn BasinWyomingWarm waters, wide skies, and western roots.BillingsMontanaBig skies, warm hearts.SheridanWyomingWhere the West is still wild and the mountains meet the plains.Livingston–Big TimberMontanaWhere the river runs wild and the mountains touch the sky.RivertonWyomingBig skies, warm hearts.HardinMontanaWhere the plains meet the mountains and history rides.JacksonWyomingWhere the Tetons touch the skyBozemanMontanaBig skies, bigger mountains.
Cody, WY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.