The East Yellowstone lodges are in close proximity to a large variety of exciting recreational opportunities that are certain to be the highlight of your trip to the East Yellowstone area. Individual lodges can provide you with details of recreational activities that they provide or have access to.

It's difficult to say what the most beautiful or breathtaking part of East Yellowstone will be for you. However, we can guarantee that it will take your breath away. East Yellowstone has it all. Great western hospitality and food, all within walking or driving distance of extraordinary recreational and scenic opportunities. Your East Yellowstone Vacation will be a western experience to remember!

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Guided Horseback Rides & Pack Trips

The event that could very well be the highlight of your vacation! Choose from dozens of trails for beginning riders and experienced riders. You can ride for an hour or take an overnight pack trip and fish in a remote mountain stream.

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Fishing in Blue Ribbon Trout Streams

Fly fishing, bait fishing and spin fishing — it's all here! Many streams are on the properties of the East Yellowstone Lodges. You can fish on your own or have a local guide take you a remote "hot-spot". There are many varieties of trout in our Wyoming streams just waiting for you.

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Hiking in Spectacular Mountain Country

Short trails, long trails, easy trails and difficult trails, you'll find them all here! From East Yellowstone Lodges you will be within driving or walking distance to trail heads in the Shoshone National Forest and Yellowstone National Park. Experience wildlife, dramatic mountain scenery, active geysers, wildflowers and dramatic elevation changes.

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Road Trips, Scenic Drives, Byways & Day Trips

Whether it's a scenic drive or a day trip to Yellowstone National Park or Cody, WY, the Lodges of East Yellowstone are centrally located on the Yellowstone Highway for unforgettable Wyoming road trips. Wyoming highway 14/16/20, also known as Yellowstone Highway and Northfork Highway, connects Cody to Yellowstone National Park's East Gate. This stretch of road was called "The fifty most beautiful miles in America" by President Theodore Roosevelt and it certainly lives up to it's reputation.

Whitewater & Scenic River Rafting

Enjoy exciting river adventures on the Northfork of the Shoshone River through the beautiful Shoshone National Forest. Experience diverse scenery and wildlife while rafting down this scenic river in Northwestern Wyoming.

Various trip lengths and levels of difficulty are available. Check with individual lodges for more information.

Rock Climbing

More information coming soon!

Ice Climbing

Forty miles S.W. of Cody on the South Fork of the Shoshone river lies one of the premier ice climbing areas in the continental U.S.The South Fork hosts the largest concentrations of frozen waterfalls South of the Canadian border. Currently there are approximately 330 pitches of ice that are known to have been climbed and many more, known and yet undiscovered, that await first ascents. Ranging in grades from Water Ice 2 (WI2) to Water Ice 7 (WI7) ,the South Fork has something to offer to everyone with an interest. Not only is there an abundance of ice but the quality of ice is typically excellent in comparison to other areas. This has to do with the many springs that run year round and the volcanic rock which comprise the local landscape."

Although the South Fork is the crown jewel,other areas around Cody offer excellent ice climbing as well. There are many secret and not so secret spots that the locals frequent during the long season that are within an hours drive from downtown. East Carter Mountain, Sunlight Basin, The North Fork, the Big Horns, and the Clarks Fork Canyon all host fun and challenging climbs. If you should feel the need for a short road trip Yellowstone Park and the Cooke City are are also great places to go.

There are several places in Cody where you can get the "beta" on the latest ice conditions and several retailers of quality gear and clothing. For more information contact any one of these businesses or the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce.

Mountain Biking

The song of the meadowlark, Wyoming's State bird, will keep you company as you pedal through the diverse plains and dramatic high country that are Wyoming.

Biking in Shoshone National Forest:
There are many non-motorized trails for biking in the Shoshone National Forest. You can go for a day ride and enjoy cycling through the tall lodgepole pines with the fresh mountain air in your face or even bike out to your new favorite fishing spot.

Biking in Yellowstone National Park:
If you're planning to bike any of Yellowstone's approximate 300 miles of roadway, you will need to bring your own bike, they are not rented in the park. Bicycling is permitted on established public roads, parking areas and designated routes only. Bikes are not prohibited on Yellowstone's backcountry trails and boardwalks. Vehicle traffic in the park is heavy and there are no bicycle paths along the narrow and winding roadways so you will need to use extreme caution when riding on park roads. Bicycles must exhibit a white light on the front and a red light or reflector on the rear during periods of low visibility.

Historical & Cultural Locations/Events

Yellowstone was our nation's first National Park and the Shoshone Forest was our first National Forest. One visit to East Yellowstone and you will know why there was so much interest in preserving this land for future generations.

The Lodges of East Yellowstone have many interesting historical tales behind them. Visited by presidents and legends such as Buffalo Bill Cody, the area is rich with stories from the past.

It's just a short day trip to Cody, where you can even rent a bike to pedal around to various shops and events or spend the day at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center featuring five museums; The Buffalo Bill Museum, the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, The Plains Indian Museum, The Cody Firearms Museum and The Draper Museum of Natural History.

If museums aren't your style, catch one of Cody's extraordinary annual event such as Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads, Winchester Gun Show, Plains Indian Powwow, Original Cody Old West Auction, Jazz Festival, Wild West Balloon Fest, Wild West Show & Shine Car Show, Cody Trolley Tour, Western Design Conference and more!

More About the History of East Yellowstone

Rodeos & Cowboy Adventures

Each lodge in East Yellowstone provides a unique touch of their own western flare and adventure to make your vacation memorable. From any of the lodges you can take a day trip to Cody and then return that evening to watch the sunset behind the mountains and have a chuckwagon supper or campfire get-together with hospitality you won't find anywhere else.

Cody, Wyoming is the Rodeo Capital of the World! Top cowboys come from around the continent to Cody for the Stampede Rodeo in July. Cody also features a nightly rodeo from June through August every year. Each night includes cowboys and cowgirls on high flying broncs, riding bulls, steer wrestling, barrel racing and not to mention the daredevil rodeo clowns!

Cody also features "The Cody Gunfighters" at the Irma Hotel Monday-Saturday throughout the summer. Catch other annual events such as Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads, Winchester Gun Show, Plains Indian Powwow, Original Cody Old West Auction, Jazz Festival, Wild West Balloon Fest, Wild West Show & Shine Car Show, Western Design Conference, the Buffalo Bill HIstorical Center and much much more!

Chuckwagon Suppers & Campfire Get-togethers

Gather 'round the chuckwagon for homecooked western delights! Best of all, we do all the work! You just sit back, relax, watch the clouds go by and enjoy your meals. Many lodges feature an evening campfire where you might even hear an old cowboy singing and strumming his guitar under the starry night sky.

Wildlife & Scenery Photography

Natural beauty and abundant wildlife...You won't have to go far to find spectacular photo opportunities such as rugged mountain scenery, snow capped peaks, colorful wild flowers, deer, big horn sheep, bison, elk, moose, antelope, native birds, cowboys, horses, mountain goats, grizzly bears, black bears, alpine meadows, lodgepole pine forests, geyers, Old Faithful, and expansive untamed backcountry.

The East Yellowstone Lodges are either located in or near the Shoshone National Forest which is part of the Rocky Mountains. Shoshone National forest was established in 1891. It is our first National Forest and shares Yellowstone National Park's Eastern border. The Rocky Mountains extend two thousand miles through two countries, from Canada to New Mexico and comprise over 40 distinct mountain ranges, 20 of which are in and adjacent to Wyoming. Erosion by glaciers and rivers has formed the present landscape of rugged ridges alternating with forested valleys.

Endless scenery abounds between Shoshone National Forest's 2,446,586 acres and Yellowstone National Park's scenic adversity. It's been said that Wyoming has the some of most beautiful sunrises and sunsets around, providing you with a naturally colorful and dramatic backdrop for your scenery and wildlife shots. East Yellowstone is perfect for the beginning photographers and seasoned professionals alike.

Snowmobiling

Blast through a network of over 300 miles of snowmobile trails in the Shoshone National Forest! Experience the dramatic snowy peaks of the Rockies while spending the day on the trails. After a day on the snow, warm up in cozy accommodations, get a good night's sleep and repeat.

Generally the best riding season is from early December through late April. Snowmobiling is permitted in Yellowstone National Park by guide only.

Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

Enjoy our early snowfalls, groomed trails and ungroomed backcountry.

Wind Surfing

If you're in Northwestern Wyoming, Buffalo Bill Reservoir is the place to wind surf! The reservoir scenery is dominated by mountains and after a day of wind surfing you can take a quick trip to tour the dam, originally constructed in 1910. The reservoir is just 6 miles outside of Cody, WY and 44 miles from Yellowstone National Park's East Gate. More about Buffalo Bill State Park.

Hunting

Why spend a cold night in an old tent... cozy up in a warm lodge or cabin after a hot shower instead!

The Shoshone National forest is home to many big game animals such as elk, moose, mule deer, whitetail deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, antelope, black bear and grizzly bear. Most of the forest is open to hunting. Information on seasons, licenses, and restrictions are available at the lodges along with outfitter information.

Ice Fishing

Get your tip-ups and your jigging poles ready to go ice fishing on the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The reservoir is framed by Rattlesnake Mountain to the north and Cedar Mountain to the south so you'll have beautiful scenery to look at while you're waiting for the next bite.

Fishing on the reservoir is open year-round. Wyoming State fishing license required. Fish species (coldwater) include rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout (mackinaw), and cutthroat trout. Good access via shoreline roads. Water surface covers approximately 8,000 acres.