The Cody, Wyoming area sits at elevations between 5,000-6,500 feet with dramatic mountain landscapes that create distinct microclimates for camping. Summer temperatures can drop below 45°F at night even when daytime temperatures reach 85°F. Many dispersed camping locations offer 360-degree views of valleys and grasslands, with several options within an hour of Yellowstone's East Entrance.
What to do
Attend the Cody Rodeo: Just 8 miles from Buffalo Bill State Park, the nightly rodeo is accessible via shuttle from some campgrounds. "Roadeo in town every night and campground shuttles to it and back," notes a Cody KOA visitor.
Visit the Buffalo Bill Center: The museum complex is walkable from some in-town camping options. "Can walk to buffalo bill museum," mentions a camper staying at Ponderosa Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple camping areas offer fishing access. The Cody Trout Ranch Camp features a stocked pond for guests. "You can fish on the river if it's not running too fast and there is a Trout pond you also can fish for free," explains a reviewer.
Mountain biking: The terrain around Sheep Mountain BLM offers excellent single and double-track trails. "The sheep mountain hiking trailhead is right here and lots of off-roading trails for single and double track," shares a recent visitor.
What campers like
Unobstructed stargazing: The dark skies outside town provide exceptional night viewing. At Cody BLM Dispersed, a camper noted, "Getting into the area was easy and there wasn't much there other than solitude over a vast long and wide grasslands valley and a humongous 360 degree sky view."
Space and privacy: Several dispersed camping areas offer ample room between sites. A camper at Buffalo Bill State Park shared, "We had so much space, a beautiful Mountain View on both sides, and easy access to firewood for a small donation."
Convenience to town amenities: Many campsites near Cody balance wilderness with easy access to services. "The location is perfect for getting into the Yellowstone. There is some highway noise and didn't seem to give up throughout the night," explains a visitor to Absaroka Bay RV Park.
Kid-friendly facilities: Several campgrounds offer activities specifically for children. At Cody KOA, a visitor observed, "The pool area is the highlight with 2 pools (one kiddie) and a hot tub. All very clean. The basketball area is very nice too but too hot to play for us today. There's a playground, large outdoor chess and scrabble."
What you should know
Weather variability: Strong winds affect many open camping areas, especially BLM sites. "It was a windy day and calmed down around dinner time but at bedtime it was very windy! We have a rooftop tent and platform in the van. It felt like the RTT was the sail to our van," explained a Sheep Mountain BLM camper.
Wildlife presence: The area hosts diverse wildlife including pronghorn antelope and coyotes. A camper at Sheep Mountain BLM noted, "July 1 was dry and there were herds of deer and a small pack of coyotes wailing in the distance at night."
Road conditions: Many dispersed sites require careful navigation. "We have a Chrysler Pacifica hybrid and for whatever reasons they like to make these van low to the ground. The gravel rocky road didn't look too bad even though it was rough so we headed up to the top and boy do I regret that! We bottomed out a few times," warns a Sheep Mountain BLM visitor.
Cell service quality: Connectivity varies significantly by provider. One Cody KOA visitor reported, "Connectivity was good. T-Mobile was the winner on speed with about 6 Mbps, but Verizon and AT&T also had a strong signal."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with activities: Some sites offer dedicated children's facilities. "Very nice and very clean campgrounds. We stayed in a tent and had a great time. Although we weren't traveling with kids, this campground had lots of activities for anyone who is traveling with them," notes a Cody KOA visitor.
Consider unique accommodations: Alternative sleeping arrangements can enhance family trips. "Stayed in teepee for 2 nights. Has fan and heater. must bring own sheets blankets and pillows. Overall good night sleep," shared a Cody KOA guest.
Check for playground access: Some facilities offer play areas but may have seasonal restrictions. A Buffalo Bluff RV Park visitor mentioned, "The playground was fenced off due to Covid in August 2020."
Plan for temperature swings: The significant day-to-night temperature changes can catch families unprepared. Pack layers and sleeping bags rated for temperatures 10-15 degrees below forecasted lows.
Tips from RVers
Site layouts vary significantly: Pull-through configurations differ between campgrounds. At Cody KOA, a reviewer appreciated that "sites are set up with alternating hookups so you are not picnicking over your neighbors dump hose. Most sites have a paved patio as well."
Check site length before booking: Some sites may not accommodate both RV and tow vehicle. "All pull-thru sites. 50, 30 and 20 amp service with water and sewer. Sites are short. When we checked in they asked us to park behind are bumper pull camper. The site was to short," warns a visitor to Absaroka Bay RV.
Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds use hard water that can affect vehicles. "One other point of concern is that the campground waters every night, with very hard water that leaves tough to remove spots on you camper and vehicle. Get them off ASAP," advises a visitor.
Watch for electrical reliability: Power outages occur in some areas. "We lost power twice while we were there. The local power company needs to trim some trees or update the grid," shares a Cody Trout Ranch Camp visitor.
