Area Info

A unique town located close to Yellowstone National Park, Cody, Wyoming is everything a visitor wants in an Old West getaway, with plenty of fun and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Community

Named after Buffalo Bill Cody, this town boasts many cultural, social and family activities that have made it a popular tourist destination, as well as a major trade center. Cody, Wyoming maintains its rural charm while giving the feel of a large city.

The county seat of Park County, in July 2008 the population was 9,309. Cody has a fascinating pioneer and cowboy history that lures folks from all around to learn of the past of this western region. There are sites where you can get a taste of the Old West such as at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and its five museums and the Old Trail Town. Kids love the rodeo events held in the summer months as well as the re-enactments of wild-west shootouts.

Weather/Climate

The weather in Cody, Wyoming is highly variable, with storms moving in with speed at any time of year. Summers are dry with July averaging highs in the mid-80s and lows in the 50s. Temperatures can go up to 100 degrees F. It’s not unknown for snow to occur in June, July or August, although this happens infrequently. Winters are cold with average lows between 10 and 13 degrees and highs in the 30s.

History

Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody founded the town in 1896. First arriving in the Big Horn Basin in the 1870s, Colonel Cody saw the possibilities of this land due to the grandeur of the scenery, the abundance of game and fish, and the fact that Yellowstone National Park was so close.

Originally, the town was located in Shoshone Canyon at the east end, but later moved to its present site. In 1902, the Hotel in the Rockies was opened and “Buffalo Bill” named it Irma after his daughter. Colonel Cody also had a friendship with President Roosevelt and helped establish the first national forest, the Shoshone.

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