Why We’re Thankful to Call Cody Yellowstone Home

Here in Cody Yellowstone, we love to celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy delicious meals, and reflect on all we have to be grateful for. But when you’re surrounded by some of the planet’s most beautiful natural landscapes, it’s easy to feel thankful year-round. With our spectacular location in Northwest Wyoming and opportunities to live an authentic Western lifestyle, we’re reminded every day that we have so much to appreciate. 

Here are a few of the reasons we’re thankful to call Cody Yellowstone home. 

It’s Home to Yellowstone’s Natural Wonders

We often refer to Yellowstone National Park as our backyard, and for good reason. The East Gate of this 2.2-million-acre destination is just 50 miles from Cody. The drive was once called “the most scenic 50 miles in the world” by no less an authority than President Theodore Roosevelt, who was famously passionate about America’s natural landscapes. 

We’re so thankful to have access to the extraordinary sights of the very first national park — from the roaming wildlife of Lamar Valley to the awesome vistas provided by the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone to the geological spectacles of Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs. 

It’s a One-of-a-Kind Community

People have always made this place special! From visionaries like President Ulysses S. Grant, who established Yellowstone as the world’s first national park, and Buffalo Bill, who founded the town of Cody, to today’s local business owners, our region has been shaped by those who treasure our unique lifestyle and breathtaking surroundings. They are the true stewards of our wild destination, preserving our one-of-a-kind way of life. 

Take our Wild Watch Ambassadors. They’re passionate residents who embrace the wild beauty of our region. As locals, they bring you the authentic side of our community, highlighting the places, moments, and experiences that truly define our home. Singer-songwriter Kalyn Beasley, ranch owners Kenny and Laura Long, and 5-star tour company CoveredGround Tours are more than just ambassadors for our region — they’re our Wild Watch! We’re so grateful for their dedication.

It Offers the Freedom to Explore

Pick your favorite words to describe our great outdoors: iconic, spectacular, otherworldly, magnificent, awe-inspiring, fascinating. Which ones you choose may depend on which of our legendary vistas and attractions you’re viewing! 

Buffalo Bill famously said, “My restless, roaming spirit would not allow me to remain at home very long.” Perhaps that’s why he founded a town on a landscape so vast it permits people and animals alike to roam and explore. Our home state of Wyoming is the 10th largest in the United States by area, and nearly half of it is federal public land.

Cody Yellowstone offers endless ways to enjoy stunning outdoor landscapes. Go at your own pace with one of our scenic byways, or take a tour with guidance from outdoor experts who know the area inside and out and can lead you to all the most breathtaking spots. 

When the landscape is this awe-inspiring, you won’t have any trouble finding fun ways to discover it. And don’t forget to bring your camera because Cody Yellowstone is a photographer’s dream destination. You’ll be thankful you took the time to capture it!

It’s Filled with Year-Round Fun

We’re thankful we live in a place that offers excitement every season of the year. As the days get shorter and the weather gets chilly, we don’t hibernate. Our list of the top things to do in the winter grows a little bit longer each year. 

One of the easiest ways to enjoy our wild winter landscape is to simply get out there and explore, either by foot or on cross-country skis or snowshoes. You can also lace up your skates, go fishing, or fat bike and snowmobile on miles of groomed, snow-covered trails. No matter what time of year you visit, you’ll find yourself feeling thankful for the possibilities presented by nature and the opportunities to carve new paths and make new memories with friends and family in the great outdoors.

It’s a Place to Raise a Glass

We’re thankful for our region’s impressive and growing food and beverage scene, from crisp craft beer to chuckwagon cookouts and flavors from all over the globe. Our Sippin’ Trail Pass is the perfect way to experience many of them and win some prizes along the way.  

It’s Home to Boundless Adventures

When it comes to outdoor recreation in Cody Yellowstone, there really is something for everyone. Bike, hike, paddle, and horseback ride. Reel in some trout in picture-perfect river streams or take scenic exploratory drives. Ski, snowboard, hike, skate, and snowmobile. 

If you’re looking for some outdoor recreation inspiration, check out our video guide to getting outside. Outside Yellowstone is a free web series with tips and tricks for getting the most out of your adventures in Cody Yellowstone. Join host Shalee Super as she guides you to world-class outdoors. Each episode features a different way to find adventure here, from fly fishing to caving to ATVs and off-roading. We’re thankful to live in a place where it’s practically impossible to get bored — there’s always something new to do outside.

It’s Still Wild

We’re so thankful that we get to see majestic animals in their natural environment. It wasn’t always this way. Our famous bison were nearly hunted to extinction in the early 20th century, but were revived through the hard work of Yellowstone’s wildlife managers. Today, there are nearly 5,000 free-roaming bison in the Greater Yellowstone region. 

Gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995 and are now thriving thanks to careful conservation efforts. Black-footed ferrets, once thought extinct, were rediscovered outside Meeteetse in 1981. Today, their population has recovered thanks to the efforts of conservationists! When you visit Cody Yellowstone, you’ll likely see a mix of wildlife you wouldn’t spot anywhere else on the planet. Remember to treat the animals with the respect they deserve, exercising caution and never attempting to touch or feed them — even the cute baby ones!  

It’s the Rodeo Capital of the World

Buffalo Bill’s famous showman spirit is alive and well here! Since 1938, every summer night has been filled with the sights and sounds of the Cody Nite Rodeo. The rodeo is an authentic — and authentically fun — experience that still thrives. And we’re grateful to live in the Rodeo Capital of the World. If you’ve always wanted to attend this quintessentially American form of Wild West entertainment, join the fun. 

It’s Filled with History

When you take a look at our famous statue of Buffalo Bill, called The Scout, or visit one of our many historical sites, it’s easy to see we cherish our history. Where else can you step back in time to a town preserved as it was in the 1890s and visit the ghostly remnants of a mining town that thrived during the Wyoming gold rush? Or see the bullet holes left behind by famous outlaws immortalized in some of Hollywood’s greatest cowboy films? Cody Yellowstone is rich in history, and you don’t have to look any further than our charming downtown. But you can also visit five museums in one at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West or discover the important history of Japanese Americans during World War II at The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center, among many other museums and sites.

This is a place where legendary showmen, outlaws, and presidents have made their marks. In Cody Yellowstone, history lives on, and we’re thankful to be reminded of it wherever we look. Want to step back in time and explore our history in an experiential way? Saddle up and hit the Wild West Trail Pass to discover our unique Wild West culture and win prizes.

It’s a Place People Want to Visit

We love living somewhere people want to visit! As the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, we welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, many of them joining us from all over to take in our unique Old West culture. People from around the world come here because it’s like nowhere else! They come to attend our family-friendly year-round events and stay in our wide range of welcoming accommodations, from sleek modern hotels to genuine dude ranches. And no matter where you’re from, you’re welcome to visit and embark on your own one-of-a-kind adventures. 

Every year brings new reasons to visit, and 2025 is shaping up to be another unforgettable year in Cody Yellowstone. Plus, many of our most memorable experiences are also completely free! We look forward to welcoming you.

Ready to Join Us?

It’s time to create your own list of things to be thankful for in Cody Yellowstone. Start planning your getaway today.