Cool, Historic, and Unusual Places to Stay in Cody Yellowstone

From a room where Ernest Hemingway once slept to a wagon where a sheepherder lay his head, Cody Yellowstone has a vast array of choices for travelers who embrace the quirk. And travelers who prefer something a little more predictable will find plenty of options that suit their interests and budgets as well.

As host to generations of travelers dating back more than a century, Cody Yellowstone is well-equipped to provide overnight accommodations with a variety of hotels, motels, campgrounds, RV parks, dude/guest ranches and B&Bs. 

Among these hotels, motels, campgrounds, RV parks, dude/guest ranches, and B&Bs are some seriously unusual places to sleep. There’s a place for ghost lovers, adventurous travelers, glampers, campers, and even whimsical types who actively seek to stay in one-of-a-kind places. 

Some examples include:

Chamberlin Inn

All the rooms at the Chamberlin Inn have their own layout, but the best-known is the Hemingway Suite, where author Ernest Hemingway slept in 1932. The hotel has the guest register showing “Ernest Hemingway, Key West, Florida” on display in the lobby. Hemingway worked on Death in the Afternoon, spent time fishing the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River and enjoyed drinking with locals at the Irma bar in the evenings. Or you can stay in the room where Agnes Chamberlin’s husband — a self-taught and unlicensed dentist — used to pull the teeth of unfortunate locals.

Irma Hotel

One of the most recognizable buildings on Cody’s Sheridan Ave., the Irma Hotel was built by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1902 and named for his daughter, Irma. Irma and her husband Fred Garlow — manager of the hotel — both died tragically of the Spanish flu in October 1918. Irma was only 35 when she died, and Room 35 at the hotel is where there have been numerous reports of hauntings. Among the occurrences, guests have reported water in the bathroom turning on and off, belongings moved to different locations in the room and artwork on the floor where it couldn’t have simply fallen from the picture hooks. In another room, there have been reports of Irma herself in a rocking chair.

K3 Guest Ranch and Bed & Breakfast

Haven’t you always wanted to sleep in a sheepherder’s wagon? You can at K3 Guest Ranch and Bed & Breakfast! You have choices such as a chuckwagon bed inside the main lodge or two freestanding sheepherder wagons across the lawn. While you’re there, check out the artwork all over the lodge, which was created by owner Jerry Kincaid and his son and daughter.

Pahaska Tepee

Pahaska Tepee was Buffalo Bill Cody’s original hunting lodge, where he entertained his friends, including the Prince of Monaco and President Theodore Roosevelt. While there, stay in A-frame accommodations and make a beeline to Yellowstone National Park through the nearby East Gate.

Cody Trout Ranch Camp – RV & Tipi Park and Ponderosa Campground

If you want to stay in an actual tipi, head to Cody Trout Ranch Camp – RV & Tipi Park or Ponderosa Campground . In addition to RV sites with hookups, tipis are available for overnight stays. The Trout Ranch is located on the shore of the Shoshone River, where anglers drop a line and rafters seek thrills. Ponderosa Campground is located in town within easy walking distance of many attractions.

Pure Heart Retreat

Offering a blend of luxury and tranquility, Pure Heart Retreat offers geodesic domes measuring 23 feet in diameter as well as access to a glass yoga dome. The retreat is designed to create a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. 

The Cody

If you like jetted hot tubs but want complete privacy, stay in a room with its own unit. The Cody offers a jetted tub suite as well as a jetted tub suite with a fireplace.

Fiddle Back Ranch

Fiddle Back Ranch is a working ranch situated along the Upper Greybull River, eight miles from Meeteetse. It offers fishing, wildlife watching, and beautiful scenery, as well as three lodge buildings and six RV sites with full hookups.

Guest and Dude Ranches

With 17 guest, dude and working ranches in Cody Yellowstone and the East Yellowstone region, you’re sure to find a cabin to your liking. This classic Western experience has been attracting “dudes” to the area for more than a century as they get out of the city and onto a horse. Several of these ranches trace their origins back more than a century, and their owners have been integral parts of the community for multiple generations.

Now that you have an idea of where to stay, it’s time to plan the rest of your Cody Yellowstone adventure! Request your free vacation guide today.