Established in 1896 Cody, Wyoming is one of the state's most charming historic sites. The town was founded by Buffalo Bill Cody after he visited the area in the late 1800s. With plenty of outdoor recreation to be found, Cody is also a popular spot to watch a live rodeo or take in the picturesque scenery just outside of Yellowstone National Park.
Cody, which has a population of right around 10,000 people, is home to Old Town Trail, a series of restored Old West buildings that take visitors right into the past.
Cody is a traditional Old West Town, with plenty of ranches to explore. Visitors can take in the bucolic scenery by horseback riding to channel their own inner Buffalo Bill.
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The landscape of Cody is lined with mountains and forests. Cody edges up on Rattlesnake Mountain and Cedar Mountain.
This statue of Buffalo Bill Cody pays tribute to the small town's founder. Visitors can check out the Buffalo Bill Center of the West to learn more about Buffalo Bill and the town's rich history.
Just 52 miles from the eastern gate of Yellowstone National Park, Cody presents a variety of beautiful hiking options.
The Cody Theatre was built in 1936 and still shows movies. Visitors can catch Wild West Spectacular: The Musical at the theater during the summer months.
In addition to its nearby mountain ranges, Cody is set on a canyon that overlooks the Shoshone River.
The Shoshone River makes for a great place to go whitewater rafting or take a sightseeing trip.
Wyoming is such a beautiful state. While our high mountain prairie and grasslands are quite a sight to behold, it's no secret that the mountains are what call to most of us. Explore three of the most scenic ranges in the state - the Tetons, the Absarokas, and the Big Horns - on this 3-day road trip in Wyoming:
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Looking for the ultimate mountain adventure trip that showcases the best of northern Wyoming? Look no further than this weekend road trip in Wyoming!
Your trip starts off in the incomparable Jackson Hole Valley.
The town of Jackson is in the heart of the valley, and Grand Teton National Park is several miles north of town. You'll also find Teton Village, the National Elk Refuge, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and countless shops and restaurants around. It's a hard place to leave, but your trip is just beginning!
Spend time in the Teton Range, hiking through Grand Teton National Park, or stopping at the many pullouts to stare in awe at vistas that are unlike any other spot on the planet.
Make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. These sights are so stunning, you'll never want to leave!
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If you take your time traveling through the park, you can see lots of wildlife. Moose, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and pika are plentiful in the Teton area!
If you're lucky, you might even be able to snap a few photographs.
It's time to head north, though, and to continue your first day of the trip by heading up to Yellowstone National Park.
While "rushing" through the park is never really recommended, you can still see plenty of geyser basins, thermal features, and unique sights as you make your way up to your second mountain range of the day.
Be sure to stop in the Canyon area! The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a remarkable, memorable natural wonder.
There are lots of places to camp overnight in Yellowstone, but the Canyon campground is enormous and centrally located.
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Yellowstone is one of the best places on the planet to watch for wildlife. You'll travel through the Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley, so look for bears, bison, elk, and if you're lucky, wolves!
After spending the night in Yellowstone, let's begin day two! As you make your way out of the park, congratulations, you've made it to your second mountain range! The Absarokas (pronounced ab-sor-kas, or ab-sork-kees, depending on who you ask) start to rise out of the Earth around you. Welcome to the Beartooth Highway.
The Beartooth Highway is one of the most magical drives on Earth! You can take it all the way to Red Lodge, Montana, but on this trip, it's just a short stretch of winding, scenic road until you turn off to head south, down the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.
The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway takes you down from the Absorkas into the Bighorn Basin, where you'll find a bunch of small towns and plenty of beautiful sights.
The highlight of this drive is the switchbacked route up to Dead Indian Pass. You'll be driving through the Open Range, so watch out for cowboys and cattle as you make your way up the steep incline.
From the top, take in the view and learn about the heroic efforts of Chief Joseph, who did all he could to save his tribe from unwarranted aggression and destruction.
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By the end of your beautiful drive, you'll make it to Cody. This charming, hokey frontier town is packed with famous restaurants, shops, and history. If you get here on time, you can watch a Western shootout in front of the Irma Hotel!
The Irma Hotel building dates back to 1902, and it will make you feel like you've stepped back in time. It attracts visitors from all over the world!
After you spend the night in Cody (and maybe some of the day, too), it's time to head out for your third mountain range in three days - the Big Horns!
Bighorn National Forest stretches for over 1.1 million acres in north-central Wyoming. Many towns in the foothills make for great stops, depending on the route you choose to travel!
Stop in at a Ranger Station to find out current trail conditions, and get a recommendation for your time limit and hiking skills. The trail conditions do change throughout the season, so it's important to get up-to-date details from the Forest Service. Or, from a service like AllTrails+.
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Finally, at the end of your three-day road trip, you'll roll into Sheridan. This idyllic western town is a wonderful spot to spend a few more days or use as a resting spot before heading back home.
Sheridan, Wyoming is also home to some of the best eateries in the state. Chow down on scrumptious home-cooked meals before making your way back home. You'll leave feeling full and happy.
Don't you just love Wyoming's mountain scenery? We can never get enough of it! What do you think of this 3-day road trip in Wyoming? Have you been to any of these places? If you know another hidden gem we should write about, nominate it for a chance to be featured!
Are you looking for more of the best road trips in Wyoming? Check out these exciting Wyoming road trips. From delicious foodie journeys to nature-filled outings, these itineraries are certain to spark your sense of adventure. Pack up the car or rent an RV from RVShare to enjoy the open road.
Not only does Wyoming have stunning mountain views, but many of these scenic areas have hidden lakes that are utterly gorgeous. Here are some of our favorite Wyoming lakes for you to enjoy:
History, scenery, and high mountain passes all come together on this underrated Wyoming scenic byway. The drive through the Sierra Madre Mountains is one of the best scenic drives in Wyoming and an excellent way to explore the springtime beauty of the Cowboy State! Like many mountain highways in Wyoming, Battle Pass Scenic Byway is closed in winter, but once it opens mid-spring, it shows off beautiful views, colorful wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife.
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Exploring our state is always an adventure, but there’s so much to see beyond its borders! Sign up for our Bucket List Newsletter to see must-visit destinations throughout the nation and inspire your travels, both near and far.
Battle Pass Scenic Byway is an underrated stretch of WY-70 that takes you from the town of Encampment to Baggs, Wyoming.
The byway stretches for nearly 60 miles and shows off the stunning beauty of the often-overlooked Sierra Madre Mountains.
The byway crosses the Continental Divide and reaches its highest elevation Battle Pass, which brings you 9,911 feet above sea level.
This Wyoming scenic byway takes you through the town of Battle, which was founded by pioneers in Carbon County. Many abandoned structures are still standing!
Photographers frequently drive the Battle Pass Scenic Byway in the fall in order to catch photos of Aspen Alley.
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These stunning Quaking Aspens are the backdrop of many familiar Wyoming scenes!
Look out for the turnout two miles west of the Divide, where you can see Battle Lake and a memorial to Thomas Edison, who was inspired by a camping trip through the Sierra Madres.
Make time to enjoy the beauty of springtime in the Cowboy State when you drive the Battle Pass Scenic Byway. You'll be discovering a section of Wyoming that's often overlooked, and you'll be rewarded with stunning views and an impressive history lesson.
To learn more about the history of Carbon County and of Battle Pass itself, be sure to plan a visit to The Grand Encampment Museum before you head out of town!
Feeling proud to live in Wyoming? You should! Wear your state pride on your sleeve when you check out this unique apparel collection from Wear Your Roots.