How to Navigate a Cody Yellowstone Vacation with Kids 

With so many options in Cody Yellowstone, including the most geysers and the best nightly rodeo in the world, a one-size vacation most certainly does not fit all. A little advance planning, however, helps to make vacations positive and memorable experiences for the whole family.

Fortunately, parents have learned a thing or two about traveling as a family. Here are some tips we have accumulated for planning a family vacation that will keep the stress levels down and the fun factor high. 

Learn Your Distances

It’s easy to look at a map and miscalculate how much ground you can cover in a day. Both the state of Ohio and Wyoming might fill a page in the atlas, for example, but in reality, Wyoming is more than twice as large (97,914 square miles versus 44,825 square miles). 

Book Lodging in Advance — and Soon

Cody Yellowstone features an array of lodging and camping choices, from budget hotels in town to luxury inns in Yellowstone National Park. Families should book lodging soon for the best options, especially in the summer. 

Get Everyone Involved

Gather the gang to learn about the region’s offerings and give everyone an opportunity to weigh in. Just like the kids who don’t like to try new foods until they help prepare them, vacation planning is best when it is a grassroots effort. 

Let Us Feed You

There are dining options all over town as well as inside Yellowstone National Park. To avoid the lunchtime rush, families may want to consider stopping at the grocery store to pack their own lunches or picking up sandwiches to go. Pack plenty of water, too. 

Don’t Miss the Draper

The Draper Natural History Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is the best place for families to learn all about Yellowstone — its sights, sounds, and even smells — before even setting foot in the national park. This innovative museum in downtown Cody even has a scavenger hunt that leads visitors through exhibits about the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. 

Be Active

Adults can stretch their legs while the kids can burn off excess energy with an outdoor adventure like hiking through the Shoshone National Forest, a rafting trip on the Shoshone River, or a horseback ride in the Wapiti Valley. Resources for these and other activities include Sunlight Sports and its “Concierge Service,” professional guide service Hiking Buddy,  Wyoming River Trips, River Runners of Wyoming, and various ranches and horseback riding guides.

Become a Dude

Many of Cody Yellowstone’s dude and guest ranches are family-owned and operated, and they know a thing or two about keeping families happy. Little cowpokes can learn skills like horseback riding, archery and roping. Ranches also feature trail rides, fly fishing, hearty cowboy comfort food, and campfires. 

Visit the Visitor Centers

People who have mastered the visitor center are way ahead of those who simply make decisions based on the looks of a place. Visitor centers are a great place to start any adventure. The Cody Country Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and Yellowstone National Park visitor centers have materials as well as real human beings to answer your questions and make recommendations. 

Take a Guided Tour

There are numerous options, such as the one-hour Cody Trolley Tour, private tours of the region’s landmarks, photography tours, and more. Guided by experts who are passionate and knowledgeable about the destination, guided tours are a great way to gain a more profound Cody Yellowstone experience. Inside Yellowstone National Park, several tour operators provide expert narratives about the park — its history, wildlife, and geothermal features — as they navigate the park roads. Tour services are led by concessioner Yellowstone National Park Lodges as well as Cody-based Covered Ground Tours, Cody Shuttle Service, Yellowstone Safari Company, Grub Steak Expeditions, Experience Yellowstone Tours, and Cody Wyoming Adventures. 

Timing is Everything

Park roads reopen for the summer season on a staggered schedule in April and May. Most families visit the destination during the months of June, July, and August, so families with the flexibility to visit in the spring or fall will find a better choice of lodging options. The last two weeks in August are also a great time to visit because most families have already headed home to prep for the next school year by then. 

Plan Ahead With the All-New Cody Yellowstone Vacation Guide

With so much for the whole family to do, you’ll want to ensure you’re ready to hit the ground running! And there’s no better way to prepare than by requesting your free copy of the 2025 Cody Yellowstone Vacation Guide. With plenty of tips and tricks, itineraries, and even a great commemorative map to track your journey, the Cody Yellowstone Vacation Guide is your family’s perfect travel companion.

Request your guide today.