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Campgrounds near Cody, Wyoming range from developed sites with full amenities to primitive dispersed camping on public lands. The area includes established facilities like North Fork Campground at Buffalo Bill State Park and Cody KOA, which offer tent and RV sites with hookups. Several BLM dispersed camping areas, including Cody BLM Dispersed and Sheep Mountain BLM, provide free primitive camping options. Accommodation types vary widely, with some locations offering cabins and glamping options alongside traditional camping. Most campgrounds near Cody sit along scenic routes toward Yellowstone National Park, giving campers convenient access to both town amenities and backcountry wilderness.
The camping season in this region typically runs from May through September, with most established campgrounds closing during winter months. Road conditions vary significantly, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. 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." Bear safety is an important consideration throughout the area, with many campgrounds requiring proper food storage. Elevation affects temperatures, with cooler nights even during summer months. Cell service is generally available near Cody but becomes spotty in more remote locations. Reservations are recommended for established campgrounds during peak summer months, especially for those planning to visit Yellowstone.
Campers consistently praise the scenic views and natural settings available throughout the region. The landscape offers dramatic mountain backdrops, river access, and open valley views. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of camping locations between Cody and Yellowstone National Park. As one reviewer described, "This state park has the best view and is a wonderful base camp for Yellowstone. Only 8 miles from Cody!" Wind can be a factor in more exposed areas, particularly at dispersed sites on open BLM land. Developed campgrounds with river access are especially popular, offering fishing opportunities and scenic water views. The proximity to Cody allows campers to enjoy local attractions like the rodeo while still experiencing natural surroundings. Sites with shade are particularly valuable during summer months when temperatures can rise significantly during daytime hours.
"We are currently staying at Cody / Yellowstone East KOA Holiday in Cody, Wyoming, and it has been a fantastic basecamp for exploring the area."
"This campground is just outside Cody, WY. Easy access for people just passing through, just off a main road."
"Close to the east entrance to Yellowstone this park is also in Cody, a cool town. Staff is nice bathhouse is clean."
"Location was great to do anything you want to do and Cody, (because Cody is such a small town.) There is grass and trees (yay shade!) and the lots were big and spacious enough."
from $40 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Only 8 miles from Cody! Make sure and stake your tent down there is some wind. The tent sites do have a wind break wall."
"Surrounded by mountains and right on the Shoshone River, this is a bit of Heaven on earth."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"This was a great base camp near Cody, Wyoming however, it does get extremely windy here. It’s a good location about an hour from the East entrance to Yellowstone National Park."
"July 1 was dry and there were herds of deer and a small pack of coyotes wailing in the distance at night."
"There are some additional locations to park higher on the hill but the road to get there is a little more rough. I've seen smaller camper vans but we couldn't haul our big rig up there."
"Awesome site 45 minutes from East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park and about 20 minutes to Cody. Where we camped you possibly could fit about 3 - 4 vehicles / tent sites."
"4 Miles outside Cody you will find this campground. Very nice place, everything is clean and well maintained. Showers and toilets are nice!"
"Lois in the office is a life long resident of Cody and full of great information on local places to see and things to do and she is a super nice lady "
from $60 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Close to downtown Cody! Friendly staff with all the know of what to do! Very accommodating."
"Nice camp, relatively close to center. Possible walk to center cca 20min. 10 min to Buffalo Bill museum. Showers and restrooms very clean. Laundry well equipped with washing machins and dryers."
"If you tent, you will be camping on the greens in the center of the park with RVs surrounding you, but we didn't mind for one night."
"It's located just outside of Cody a few miles, so you don't have to deal with the traffic noise or the light pollution. Star gazing is excellent."
"Close to Cody. A hot tub and larger laundry would make this place perfect."
from $46 - $135 / night
Check Availability"Our staked canopy actually flew off while my wife and kids were relaxing in it and almost flew into the lake. Staking fail in me, but please be prepared. "
"There's a number of sections, divided between one for RVs and two for Tents (drive-in)."
from $10 / night
Check Availability
Guide3 miles from Yellowstone’s east entrance, nice campground, 20 sites, with one working pump water site. All sites dry. Trash receptacles available. $20 per night. Lots of stickers in the site, and I got bit by a hornet or something…
ScoutVery nice camp ground, easy in and out. Bad part is no grass. No grass for dog park.
GuideBeautiful campsites, helpful host fantastic scenery. The only reason I didn’t give it a five is the spots are pretty tight a couple you got plenty of room like the one I have but if you got more than a 25 foot you are not going to find a spot. The road in and out is good mosquitoes pretty bad so be sure you bring spray. Some folks wearing face nets.
ScoutVery easy to work with. Electric and water hook-ups, but there aren’t any sewer connections. This was definitely not a dealbreaker.
GuideGreat staff stayed a week
LegendFirst stop on our way west after visiting family in SD. Big storm rolling through as we left Cody, passing the reservoir but was done before we reached the site. We set up camp and watched the last of the lightning and listened to the rumble. We camped at the trailhead. A couple of vehicles came in early to hike but didn’t disturb us. We awoke to a herd of cows with calves cleaning up the parking lot. They moved on quickly and didn’t seem concerned that we might have interrupted their breakfast. Great views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains.
GuideCampground is very clean laundry facilities are nice and so are the shower house. My only complaint is sites are close together and no shad. I had a site on the end which gave me a little more space. Close to town so I rode my electric bike down town about a mile
GuideGreat views, fishing, dispersed camping, 4-bar cell service and clear skies for Starlink. Accessible to all vehicles in most weather conditions. Destination for locals, but rarely crowded unless there’s a fishing derby.
Wildlife throughout the valley below, so exercise caution driving through the area. The reservoir and immediately surrounding land is owned by the Greybull Irrigation District, with free access granted for recreational activities. No open fires or fireworks.
Stop by the Meeteetse Museum for lots of insightful imagery and regional history, including Amelia Earhart’s hideaway cabin. The Meeteetse Chocolatier offers amazing products, internationally renown. The Elkhorn Bar is a great eatery, and the convenience store on the corner offers everything you need in a pinch.
Weather is worth checking, as highs and lows can surprise some people. Afternoon thunderstorms are typical, but nothing heavy.
ScoutCalled to make reservations easy, changed to 1 day later, easy, added an day, easy.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Cody, Wyoming?
The Cody area offers several excellent campgrounds for visitors. North Fork Campground — Buffalo Bill State Park stands out with gorgeous views and is only 8 miles from town, making it a perfect base camp for exploring the region. For those seeking solitude, Cody BLM Dispersed provides vast grasslands with spectacular 360-degree sky views, though be prepared for wind. Other notable options include Hunter Peak at higher elevation (6500 feet) for escaping summer heat, and Cody Trout Ranch Camp with RV sites, tipis, and sheep wagon camping just a few miles outside of town away from traffic noise and light pollution.
Are there good tent camping options available in Cody, Wyoming?
Elk Fork Campground offers excellent tent camping with river access and nearby hiking/biking trails. The sites are flat but relatively small, with standard national forest amenities including pit toilets, trash service, fire rings, bear boxes, and picnic tables. Be aware this is grizzly territory, so bear spray is recommended. Big Game Campground is another solid option for tent campers, providing inexpensive sites with great views and amazing river access. This wooded campground creates a remote mountain feel while still being accessible. Remember that many campgrounds in the area are seasonal, with services typically discontinued from late September through May.
What campgrounds are available between Cody, WY and Yellowstone National Park?
The scenic route between Cody and Yellowstone's east entrance offers several excellent camping options. Wapiti Campground is located about halfway between Cody and Yellowstone's east entrance, offering large spaces with electric hookups and river access. It's one of the few campgrounds in the corridor that permits tent camping, which some campgrounds closer to the east entrance do not. Crazy Creek is another fantastic option with dramatic views over the Beartooth Range canyon. It features a small hike to nearby falls and offers convenient access to both Cody and the northeast gate of Yellowstone.
Is there a KOA campground in Cody, Wyoming?
Yes, there is a KOA campground in Cody, Wyoming. While not specifically mentioned in the reviews, the Cody KOA Holiday is located at 233 W Yellowstone Ave, providing convenient access to downtown attractions. As an alternative, Absaroka Bay RV Park offers similar amenities to a KOA with full hookups for RVs. For those seeking different experiences, Buffalo Bluff RV Park provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly accommodations. These alternatives offer good options if the KOA is fully booked during peak season.
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