Cody: A Wild West Adventure Near Yellowstone National Park
Located about an hour from the East Entrance to America’s first national park, Cody is an excellent addition to a Yellowstone (emerginghorizons.com/yellowstone-national-park/) road trip. With daily gunfights, western entertainment and a nightly Rodeo, this Wyoming town has a definite wild west ambiance. And why not, as it was named after Buffalo Bill Cody, who once roamed the streets of this wild west town. And despite its historic nature, this Wyoming village is also a good option for slow walkers and wheelchair-users who want to extend their Yellowstone vacation. So check out this accessible place to rest your head, as well as a few of these popular sites on your next Yellowstone visit.
Spend the Night
Located near the center of town, Buffalo Bill Village (www.buffalobillvillage.com/) is a good place to spend the night. Although it was originally constructed to house work crews that built the city, today this historic property boasts modern amenities and includes a wheelchair-accessible cabin.
There’s accessible parking in the front lot, with level access over to the registration building and gift shop. Room 365, which is a stand-alone cabin, is located a short drive away, near the back of the complex. There’s accessible parking near the sidewalk that leads over to the cabin, and ramp access to the front door. Inside, there’s good pathway access in the spacious cabin, that’s furnished with two 26-inch high queen-sized beds, a sofa, chest of drawers and a table with two chairs.
The bathroom features a full five-foot turning radius, with plenty of room for larger wheelchairs and scooters. It’s equipped with a roll-in shower with a hand-held showerhead and grab bars. The toilet is in a 36-inch wide alcove with grab bars on both sides. Other access features include a roll-under sink and a portable shower chair.
Buffalo Bill Village is not only accessible, but it’s also located well away from the street, so it’s pretty quiet. Add in a top-notch staff, and you have everything you could possible need.
Explore Cody
Plan to spend at least one full day in town, as there’s no shortage of fun diversions, At the top of the list is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West (centerofthewest.org/). This expansive museum has five old west galleries, including the impressive Buffalo Bill Museum. Other galleries include the Whitney Western Art Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Cody Firearms Museum and the Draper Natural History Museum — all of which present a comprehensive picture of the old west.
There’s accessible parking in front of the museum, with level access over to the main entrance. Inside there’s barrier-free access to all of the galleries, the gift shop and the cafe.. And if you find the distance in the museum a little daunting, manual wheelchairs are available for loan at the front desk.
Another fun attraction in town is the Cody Gunfight (www.codytrolleytours.com/cody-gunfight). This free performance is held daily (except Sundays) at 6 PM in front of the historic Irma Hotel. It’s a fun show, but get there early as it’s extremely popular. The ground is level in front of the hotel, and there’s good access for wheelchair-users in the viewing area. Alternatively, reserved seating is available for just $3.
Last but certainly not least, don’t miss the Cody Night Rodeo (www.codystampederodeo.com/). There’s plenty of accessible parking at Stampede Park, with a level pathway to the accessible seating in the south grandstand. It’s a very patriotic family event, with lots of up-and-coming talent in the arena. The kids in the audience even get a shot at a little hands-on rodeo fun, so it’s a great hit for families. Presented during the summer months, this fun event is a real crowd pleaser, and it’s the perfect way to top off a Cody wild west visit.
Barrier-Free Travel
Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
for Wheelers and Slow Walkers