25 Wild Adventures in Cody Yellowstone to Experience in 2025

With endless outdoor adventures, an array of attractions that showcase Western heritage, and the world’s first national park right next door, Cody Yellowstone is a thrilling destination that has been called the “last best place.” 

In Cody Yellowstone, visitors can still experience authentic Western roots at every turn – from the horse-centric dude and guest ranches and rodeo to acclaimed museums like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Even repeat visitors can discover new adventures, and they will clearly see why Cody Yellowstone is and will remain ‘wild forever.’”

Here are 25 suggested adventures in Cody Yellowstone for 2025:

Savor the snow

Snowshoers and cross-country skiers will find miles of trails throughout the region. Visitors can ski and snowshoe on classic tracks and skate lanes along the Shoshone River at Pahaska Tepee near the East Gate to Yellowstone National Park or the groomed trails of the remote Wood River Valley Ski Touring Park. Adventurers can rent equipment from the friendly outdoor concierge staff at Sunlight Sports in downtown Cody. 

Join a weeklong celebration of Western art

The annual Rendezvous Royale and Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale takes place each September and includes an online Live Silent Auction, “Scout’s Mini Sale” devoted to small works, a “Buy-It-Now” sale, workshops, exhibitions, an art walk and other events. Rendezvous Royale culminates in a gala weekend including the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale on Friday night and the Buffalo Bill Quick Draw and Brunch Saturday morning. The annual Patrons Ball Black-Tie Gala at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West rounds out the week. 

Join the culture club

The Mineta-Simpson Institute at Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center is hosting Haruka Takaku of the Japan Outreach Initiative. Her role is to promote awareness and understanding of Japan, encourage meaningful dialogue to better understand shared history and build empathy through workshops focused on topics such as origami, food, sake, business manners, calligraphy, storytelling and more. Native American programming has also been added to Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center. The interpretive center has recently hired Johnny Tim Yellowtail, a member of the Apsaalooke tribe, to provide information and help visitors understand about the tribe’s historic roots in the Heart Mountain region. 

Multitask

Cody has been recognized by USA Today for having the top small town beer scene in the U.S. Breweries include Cody Craft Brewing, Millstone Pizza Company & Brewery, Pat’s Brew House, and WYOld West Brewing. Follow the “Sippin’ Trail” by enjoying the region’s vibrant bar and restaurant scene while using an app that provides drink discounts and allows you to accumulate points for prizes. 

Get in touch with our spooky side

On Halloween Day, Cody’s main street, Sheridan Ave., closes to cars while shops and restaurants hand candy and to costumed kids. In nearby Powell, the Powell Tribune sponsors the annual Powell-O-Ween with trick-or-treating at a variety of stops downtown. For adults only, a fundraising event at the Cody Country Art League celebrates local art and Halloween with adult beverages, snacks, costumes and more. Staged at the Cody Cattle Company, The Haunt includes a cash prize costume contest, food, drinks and dancing. 

Eat like a cowboy 

A husband/wife team known as 2 Mules Chuckwagon can be found in the summer next to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West cooking steaks over an open flame. In addition to the main course, the homemade cobbler prepared in a Dutch oven will be remembered long after the vacation is complete.

Drive a scenic byway

With five scenic drives leading into Cody that take travelers past some of Wyoming’s most breathtaking valleys, mountain passes, rivers and forests, it’s difficult to find a route that isn’t spectacular. Download the free TravelStorys app and listen to a GPS-prompted audio tour of the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway or the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway. 

Climb a waterfall

You’ll need to try this one in winter when they’re frozen. With more than 200 climbable pitches within a 10-mile radius, Cody Yellowstone is a celebrated ice climbing destination. Visitors can join a commercially guided ice climbing tour throughout the winter. A great option is to participate in the Wyoming Ice Festival featuring more than 20 climbing clinics for every level from beginner to advanced. The festival features ice climbing clinics by day and nightly speakers and presentations developed to inspire and encourage festival participants.

Assume the downward dog

Pure Heart Retreat, a new yoga retreat center in the tiny town of Wapiti, Wyo. between Cody and the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park is situated in a stunning valley with sweeping views of the Absaroka Mountains. The retreat includes an all-glass yoga dome and several guest domes for overnight visitors. 

Follow your stomach

Agritourism tours are offered through the Powell Chamber of Commerce. The tours include stops at Powell area farms including Arrowhead Alpacas, Enchantment Creek Apothecary and Wyoming Heritage Grains. Many local restaurants and breweries serve products made from locally harvested produce. Breweries such as WyOld West Brewing Company, for example, use locally harvested barley. And Sitti’s Table, an immensely popular Cody restaurant with Lebanese-inspired menu creations, uses locally harvested grains and produce. 

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bill Cody Ranch

In 1925 Hollywood actor Leonard Morris established the Lazy Bar H Ranch. After many changes of ownership, the grandson of Buffalo Bill, also named Bill Cody, bought the ranch and renamed it Bill Cody’s Ranch Inn. The ranch is presently owned and operated by the Jelks family. 

Find a bear

Bears in the Basin is a fun scavenger hunt for nine-inch bear statues situated in a variety of spots in Cody, Meeteetse and Powell. The three bear statues reflect the heritage of three towns in Cody Yellowstone. Farmer Growl celebrates Powell’s homesteading and farming heritage. It is an apt depiction, as the town of Powell continues to embrace a burgeoning agritourism culture. Amelia Bearhart reflects an interesting piece of Meeteetse heritage. Before she disappeared during her round-the-world flight, aviatrix Amelia Earhart – charmed by the exquisite beauty of the northwestern Wyoming backcountry – had begun building a cabin just outside of Kirwin, now a ghost town near Meeteetse. Intrepid hikers and UTVers can still travel to the cabin site today. And Buffalo Bear Cody is a nod to Cody’s famous founder, Buffalo Bill Cody

Watch a parade

Cody loves a parade so much that during the Cody Stampede celebrating our Independence Day, it has three of them July 2, 3 and 4. The Grand Marshal of the July 4 parade last year was Daniel Lawrence Whitney, better-known as “Larry the Cable Guy.” Larry the Cable Guy joined a long list of distinguished Grand Marshals who have led the famous parade over the years. Others include actors John Wayne, Wilford Brimley and Yellowstone’s Cole Hauser as well as pilot Chuck Yeager and rodeo star Dusty Tuckness.

Be a Dudeist

Dude and guest ranches are beloved, often all-inclusive destinations featuring the best of everything in the region, including horseback riding, fishing, cowboy food, cowboy music and, well, cowboys. 

See a bison

Or a bear, eagle, bighorn sheep, river otter, fox, coyote, elk or wolf in the wild. Spotting wildlife is free, and visitors typically don’t have to go far to see an array of species. 

Ride some rapids

Multiple outfitters such as Gradient Mountain Sports, Red Canyon River Trips, River Runners of Wyoming and Wyoming River Trips operate a variety of half-, full- and multi-day and custom rafting trips on the Shoshone River, including through the Red Rock Canyon and Lower Canyon. Rafters paddle Class 1- III rapids, making the trips especially popular among Cody visitors who are new to rafting or prefer scenic paddling experiences. Wyoming River Trips was recently named one of the top 10 whitewater rafting adventures in the United States by readers of Newsweek. 

Ride a UTV

Drive your four-wheel-drive vehicle or rent a street-legal UTV from Out West Adventures and explore backcountry areas such as the ghost town of Kirwin. Located high in the Absaroka Mountains above the town of Meeteetse, the discovery of gold in the late 1800s prompted the creation of this once-thriving boomtown. When a disastrous blizzard struck in 1907, most people left the town, leaving behind numerous structures and mines. You can also take a short hike to the foundation of a cabin that was being built by aviatrix Amelia Earhart, a frequent visitor to the region before her disappearance.

Ride a bike

With a seemingly endless supply of trails as well the Beck Lake Bike Park &Trail System featuring 10 miles of purpose-built trails. For expert advice, stop in at Joyvagen Cycles in downtown Cody.

Take hike

 If you prefer a slower mode of travel, the Shoshone National Forest and Yellowstone National Park each have 1,000 miles of trails. The Sunlight Sports Outdoor Concierge can help visitors decide on the best guided or self-guided adventures for their groups.

Park it 

Yellowstone is the world’s first national park, and it still one of the most intriguing destinations on the planet because of it geology, history, architecture, plant life and wildlife. With the East and Northeast Gates easy to access, Cody is a great base for trips into Yellowstone. The park’s figure eight road system features a Grand Loop for a comprehensive experience, or it can be broken down into two excursions on the Lower and Upper Loops.

Shoot a Gatling Gun

Visitors to the indoor shooting range at the Cody Firearms Experience can shoot replicas of a variety of guns through history under the close supervision of dedicated instructors. 

Here, fishy fishy

Cody Yellowstone is home to an abundance of top-flight fishing spots including the North and South Forks of the Shoshone River and rivers and streams in Yellowstone National Park. Local fishing outfitters offer guides, maps and advice. Blue-ribbon trout fishing is especially popular in the fall, where Yellowstone cutthroat, one of the four subspecies of cutthroat found in Wyoming, can be found throughout the region. 

Sample chocolate created by a rodeo cowboy

The  Meeteetse Chocolatier got his start when he made chocolates from his grandmother’s recipe to raise funds for a new saddle. While he no longer competes in rodeo, he found a new profession.

See how pioneers settled the region

The Homesteader Museum in nearby Powell is a collection of exhibits showing the world of pioneers, including renovated homesteader cabins, tools, photographs and other artifacts depicting the rugged life of a Wyoming homesteader.

View fine Western art created by local artists

The Cody Country Art League, which shares a historic building – the original Buffalo Bill Museum – with the Cody Visitor Center features artists with ties to the community display photography, oil and watercolor paintings, sculptures and more. 

Discover the best way to plan your 2025

Our all-new Adventure Guide is full of tips and tricks, event listings, itineraries, accommodations, and more. It even comes with a commemorative map! And best of all, it’s totally free. Simply request your free copy today, and we’ll send you one in the mail.

We’re looking forward to seeing you here in Cody Yellowstone this year!