The gateway to Yellowstone National Park, Cody, Wyoming, is a small city with a big heart known for its breathtaking scenery, rich history, and world-class attractions that draw visitors from all over the globe.
Cody Yellowstone: The Home of Buffalo Bill
Founded in 1896 by the living legend Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, the modern-day city of Cody exists as a vibrant legacy of its namesake. Undertaking the task of settling an entire town at just 41 years old, Buffalo Bill was one of the most famous men in the world at the time, variously known for his exploits as a Pony Express rider, scout, hunter, and entrepreneur, with a level of showmanship that earned the admiration and friendship of presidents and kings, senators and governors, and many of the country’s most influential business people.
Cody Yellowstone Throughout History
Wildly beautiful and awe-inspiring, Cody, Wyoming, has long been a source of interest for intrepid explorers, artists, curious geologists, and adventuresome travelers.
- 1896 – Buffalo Bill Cody founded the town of Cody in Wyoming, just 50 miles from Yellowstone National Park.
- 1902 – President Theodore Roosevelt visits Cody and Yellowstone.
- 1915 – The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave open in Cody.
- 1918 – The Cody Stampede, an annual rodeo and celebration, begins.
- 1929 – The Cody Yellowstone Airport opens.
- 1951 – The Buffalo Bill Dam is completed.
- 1960 – The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center opens in Cody.
- 1966 – The Buffalo Bill Reservoir is completed.
- 1973 – The Cody Nite Rodeo begins.
- 2003 – The Buffalo Bill Center of the West opens in Cody.
Western Hospitality & The Spirit of Cody Yellowstone: What is Cody, Wyoming, Known For?
Widely known for its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, Cody also boasts spectacular outdoor recreation, exciting Western history, and an acclaimed museum. Perhaps the greatest asset of Cody, though, is its spirit of individual accomplishment, western hospitality, honesty, and friendliness, instilled in early settlers by the “Old Scout” himself and prevailing still today on the streets and in the homes of Cody Country people. Ever an authentic embodiment of the Old West, some favorite ways to experience Cody’s history and culture include:
1. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West
A must-see attraction for anyone visiting Cody Yellowstone, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a world-class museum that showcases the life and legacy of Buffalo Bill Cody, the American West, and the art and culture of the region. Just as Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show once captured the international public’s imagination, this museum named in his honor offers visitors insight into his accomplishments and deep love for this land.
2. Yellowstone: The First National Park
Within Cody Yellowstone’s borders are more than 2 million acres of natural wonders, outdoor adventures, and geological hotspots in the world’s first national park. Signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park’s history is rooted in conservation and was founded by Congress as a means to protect the area for generations to come.
3. Shoshone: The First National Forest
An integral part of Cody, Wyoming, Shoshone National Forest offers 2.4 million acres of rugged backcountry to explore. Named for the Shoshani people who have called this land their ancestral home for thousands of years, the forest is home to more than 1.4 million acres of congressionally designated wilderness, including alpine lakes, campgrounds, and mountain biking trails.
How Big is Cody, Wyoming, and How Can You Get There?
Cody, Wyoming, is 52 miles east of the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park and 81 miles south of the northeast entrance to the park. The area is accessible by air from its closest airport, Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD), or by ground within reasonable driving distance of other major cities in the region, including Billings, MT, Casper, WY, and Denver, CO.
FAQs
Cody is a city in and the county seat of Park County, Wyoming, United States. It is named after Buffalo Bill Cody for his part in the founding of Cody in 1896. Location of Cody in Park County, Wyoming.
What is there to see between Cody and Yellowstone? ›
Pahaska is a fantastic place to fish and see wildlife. Moose can sometimes be seen along the river, and you wouldn't be the first person to see a grizzly bear on the other side of the river while having dinner on the patio. You can also stop for trail rides at Pahaska.
What did Buffalo Bill do in Wyoming? ›
Cody, famous across two continents as Buffalo Bill, leader of the great Wild West show, was flush with cash and bursting with self-confidence when he embarked on his Wyoming life in 1894, promising to build an irrigated empire along the Shoshone River that would be larger than any such enterprise the West had ever seen ...
What is special about Cody, Wyoming? ›
What is Cody, Wyoming, known for? Cody is best known historically for its founder, William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Today, it's known for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, its closeness to Yellowstone National Park, Cody Nite Rodeo, and its incredible outdoor views.
Where is Buffalo Bill really buried? ›
William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody died in 1917 and was buried in Lookout Mountain Park, part of the Denver Mountain Parks system. According to his widow Louisa Cody and close friends, Cody asked to be buried on the mountain overlooking the Great Plains where he had spent much of his life.
Who was the real Buffalo Bill? ›
William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was born in LeClaire, Iowa, in 1846. While he was still a child, his family moved to Leavenworth, Kansas. Cody left home at the young age of eleven to herd cattle and work as a driver on a wagon train, crossing the Great Plains several times.
How long does it take to drive from Cody, WY to Yellowstone National Park? ›
Cody, Wyoming is 91 miles from Old Faithful, around a two-hour drive. The drive time may take longer, depending on traffic at the East Gate as well as in the park. You'll travel along the Buffulo Bill Senic Byway, US 14-16-20 for about 52 miles to the East Entrance of Yellowstone over the gorgeous Sylvan Pass.
How long does it take to drive from Cody, Wyoming to the East Entrance to Yellowstone? ›
The East Gate of Yellowstone lies about an hour west of Cody, Wyoming. It's an amazing drive with some of the most beautiful scenery you'll find anywhere—including stunning canyon and river views, plenty of wildlife, and less traffic than other gates into Yellowstone Park.
What is the best base city for Yellowstone? ›
West Yellowstone is a popular and well-known gateway town to Yellowstone. Located at the west entrance, it's closest to the majority of the Park's most popular hydrothermal features, including Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring.
How do Native Americans feel about Buffalo Bill? ›
Cody paid the Native men and women in his show the same as he did the white cowboys, treated them fairly, kept families together, and was regarded as a warm friend by a great many of the Lakota that traveled with him. Buffalo Bill Cody with Red Cloud and American Horse.
In popular culture
Heidnik was one of three real-life murderers upon whom author Thomas Harris based Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb, the villain of his 1988 novel The Silence of the Lambs. In 2018, the band SKYND released a song which was based on the events, featuring Jonathan Davis from Korn.
Was Buffalo Bill a good shot? ›
He certainly was the best revolver shot in a fight. It is one thing to shoot accurately at a target, and another thing to be able to shoot accurately at a man who is shooting at you. Bill was absolutely fearless.
What famous person lives in Cody Wyoming? ›
Kanye West and his family have spent a lot of the last year and a half in a rather unlikely place for super celebrities: Cody, Wyoming.
What is the history of Cody Wyoming? ›
Cody was founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who passed through the region in the 1870s. He was so impressed by the development possibilities of irrigation, rich soil, grand scenery, hunting, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park that he returned in the mid-1890s to start a town.
What food is Cody, Wyoming known for? ›
Cody's Most Famous Dishes
- Sandwiches.
- Burrito.
- BBQ Brisket.
- French Onion Soup.
Cody was founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who passed through the region in the 1870s. He was so impressed by the development possibilities of irrigation, rich soil, grand scenery, hunting, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park that he returned in the mid-1890s to start a town.
What does Buffalo Bill have to do with Cody, Wyoming? ›
After a successful tour of the United States and a special invite to England, Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show quickly rose to international fame. In 1896, Buffalo Bill returned to Wyoming and founded the town of Cody. The rest, as they say, is history!
Why is Buffalo Bill Cody called Buffalo Bill? ›
Cody received the nickname "Buffalo Bill" after the American Civil War, when he had a contract to supply Kansas Pacific Railroad workers with buffalo (American bison) meat. Cody is purported to have killed 4,282 buffalo in eighteen months in 1867 and 1868.
Are Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok the same person? ›
Some even say they were the same. In actuality, James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok, was born in 1836 some nine years before William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Their lives did cross paths and intertwine many times and it appears “Wild Bill” was a mentor and role model for “Buffalo Bill”.
