Best Tent Camping near Cody, WY
Tent camping options near Cody, Wyoming range from established campgrounds to primitive sites, with several located along the Shoshone River. Buffalo Bill State Park's North Fork Campground offers dedicated tent sites with large tent pads, concrete picnic tables, and privacy walls that shield campers from the often windy conditions. Other options include Big Quiet Farm Stay & Campground, which provides walk-in tent sites, and several dispersed camping areas in the surrounding public lands.
Tent campsites at Buffalo Bill State Park feature wind break walls specifically designed for tent protection, addressing the region's regular strong winds. Walk-in tent locations generally provide more privacy than drive-in sites, though many lack shade due to the open terrain. Most established tent campgrounds offer vault toilets, while primitive areas require campers to pack out all waste. Buffalo Bill State Park provides access to coin-operated showers ($1 for 3 minutes), clean facilities, and drinking water. Seasonal variations affect site availability, with some areas closed during winter months or experiencing temporary closures due to weather conditions.
Areas along the Shoshone River provide scenic backdrops for tent campers, with opportunities to observe local wildlife including deer and various bird species. The tent-specific sites at North Fork Campground are spaced far apart, creating a sense of privacy despite the open landscape. Higher elevation backcountry tent camping areas offer cooler temperatures during summer months when valley locations can become quite warm. According to one camper, "The tent sites have HUGE tent pads, plenty of room for our 9x12 cabin tent and solar panels. And the tent sites are spaced very far apart, so you never feel cramped." Proximity to Yellowstone National Park (approximately 30-45 minutes to the east entrance) makes these tent sites popular basecamp locations for park visitors seeking alternatives to crowded in-park camping.
