Spend a day in Cody during your East Yellowstone Vacation
Cody, Wyoming, a town that resonates with the pioneering spirit of the American West, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of its founder, William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Established in 1896, Cody was envisioned by Buffalo Bill as a cultural and commercial hub that would embody the essence of the western frontier. Nestled in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains and a stone's throw from Yellowstone National Park, the town is enveloped by a landscape that is as rugged as it is breathtaking, with vast plains and towering peaks shaping its horizon.
Plan a day to explore Cody, Wyoming during your East Yellowstone Vacation.
One Day Cody Wyoming Sample Itinerary
There are many things to do in Cody Wyoming. Below is just a taste of the possibilities:
Start your day at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. This sprawling complex of museums covers everything related to the Old West and Buffalo Bill's life. Plan to spend 2-3 hours touring the Whitney Western Art Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, and Draper Natural History Museum. Highlights for kids include seeing Buffalo Bill's exotic Winchester rifle collection, the Plains Indian exhibitions with full-sized tipis and colorful ceremonial clothing, and the large Glenwood prehistoric women skeleton display.
Break for lunch at one of the many restaurants lining Main Street. Be sure to visit the Cowtown Candy Company for a delicious sweet treat.
During the afternoon, drive 10 minutes out to the Buffalo Bill State Park to see the Buffalo Bill Dam, reservoir and hydroelectric power plant. Have the kids walk out on the pedestrian bridge over the Shoshone River for views downstream through the dramatic Shoshone Canyon. There are also short hiking trails to stretch your legs on.
After a visit to the Dam, head to Old Trail Town, an outdoor pioneer village museum made up of restored historic 1800s cabins and buildings. Kids can tour the buildings and see what life was like for settlers, explorers, cowboys and Native Americans. Popular attractions include the Masonic Lodge,ModelChoiceField schoolhouse and jail.
Finish your day in Cody by taking in the Cody Nite Rodeo. Known as the "Rodeo Capital of the World," Cody has hosted this iconic event every summer evening since 1938, making it the longest-running nightly rodeo in the world.
As dusk falls, the rodeo comes alive with a vibrant display of Western sportsmanship. Visitors are treated to an array of thrilling events, from bull riding and barrel racing to calf roping and team roping, each showcasing the skills and bravery of the cowboys and cowgirls.
The rodeo is more than just a sporting event; it's a cultural experience steeped in tradition, complete with humorous and engaging announcers, lively music, and a festive atmosphere that captivates both the young and the old. The Cody Nite Rodeo is a vivid reminder of the town's storied past and a celebration of the enduring legacy of the cowboy way of life.
General Information About the Shoshone River
Species Present
- Rainbow trout
- Mountain whitefish
- Brook trout
- Yellowstone Cutthroat
- Brown trout
- Rainbow-cutthroat hybrids
- Some lake trout on the lower reaches of the river
Season
Spring fishing closure from Buffalo Bill Reservoir up to and including Newton Creek from April 1 to July 1 to protect spawning runs of rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat. Ice out usually occurs before the spring closure and high water runoff has usually passed by the time the lower section of the river reopens to fishing. The river is open year-round above Newton Creek (approximately 14 miles from Yellowstone’s East Gate).
Access
The North Fork of the Shoshone River is located in northwest Wyoming and is a heavy corridor for people visiting Yellowstone Park via the East Entrance. The North Fork and East Entrance to Yellowstone are accessed by driving the river corridor on State Highway 14-16-20 (Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway) west out of Cody. The lower reaches of this river are primarily private though three public fishing areas are maintained and well-signed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The upper reaches are all located on the Shoshone National Forest lands and are easily accessible via automobile. The headwaters of the North Fork and most of its tributaries are accessible by foot or horseback only. State Highway 14-16-20 is winter-maintained and open for vehicular traffic year round.
Comments
This stretch of the river was once described by Teddy Roosevelt as 50 miles of the most scenic land in America. The fisheries on this river are greatly enhanced by spawning runs of rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat out of Buffalo Bill Reservoir. This river is managed as a wild fishery with all reproduction occurring naturally. Fishermen should be on the lookout for grizzly bears, especially in spring and early summer. Creel limit is three fish per day with only one fish exceeding 20 inches. Buffalo Bill Reservoir also provides good fishing with a creel limit of four fish per day and only one fish over 20 inches. The north fork arm of Buffalo Bill closes seasonally to fishing from April 1 to July 14 (Please read the regulations before fishing!)