Nestled at the eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park, Cody, Wyoming is one of the most distinctive communities in the American West. Founded in 1896 by the legendary Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, this vibrant town of roughly 10,000 residents has grown into the cultural and economic hub of Northwest Wyoming — while never losing the frontier spirit that makes it truly one of a kind.

The world-renowned Buffalo Bill Center of the West draws visitors from across the globe, housing five distinct museums under one roof — covering Western art, Plains Indian culture, firearms history, natural history, and the life of Buffalo Bill himself. It’s one of the finest museum complexes in the American West.

From June through August, the Cody Nite Rodeo fills the arena six nights a week — the longest-running nightly rodeo in the world. Add in the annual Cody Stampede Rodeo over the Fourth of July, Frontier Festival, and a packed calendar of community events year-round, and you have a town that knows how to celebrate its heritage.

Cody sits at the confluence of some of the most spectacular wilderness in North America. Just 52 miles from Yellowstone’s East Entrance, residents enjoy unparalleled access to geothermal wonders, world-class wildlife viewing, and backcountry adventure. The Shoshone National Forest — the nation’s first designated national forest — wraps around the region, offering hundreds of miles of hiking, horseback, and mountain biking trails.

The North Fork of the Shoshone River runs right through Cody’s backyard, providing blue-ribbon fly fishing, whitewater rafting, and kayaking. Hunters and anglers travel from across the country to access the big game and trophy trout waters that Park County is famous for. In winter, the region transforms into a snowmobile and cross-country skiing paradise.