An old western town in Wyoming, Cody is a dream destination for any outdoor enthusiast planning a 2022 adventure. Saddle up and get ready to horse ride through verdant valleys, raft on rushing rivers and hike through the iconic Yellowstone National Park.
14 February, 2022
Cody, Wyoming, US.
Sandwiched between Montana, Utah and Colorado, Wyoming is the United States' 10th largest - and least densely populated - state. It was also, incidentally, the first US state to allow women to vote. Though mention of its name often conjures images of rugged mountain terrain and sleepy rural outposts, there's much to recommend in the thriving cultural scene found within its lesser-trodden towns.
Which is where Cody comes in. Nestled in Wyoming's north-west, this former frontier town was founded in 1896 by soldier, bison hunter and showman Buffalo Bill (William Frederick Cody). Today, you'll still find traces of its cowboy roots within the Old Trail Town, where original spaghetti western-style cabins are the backdrop for evening rodeos and reenactments of famous gun fights.
History aside, Cody makes the perfect base for those who enjoy discovering a destination through its natural environment, with outdoor activities on offer including horse riding, river rafting, kayaking and hiking. Got a head for heights? Head to the Sleeping Giant resort, where a zipline will whizz you past the majestic Absaroka Mountains.
Yellowstone, the world's first national park, is less than a two-hour drive away, sprawling across 9,000sq km of volcanic wilderness. It is home to some 600 lakes, 300 waterfalls, rugged canyons, roaring rivers, wildlife-rich woodland, hot springs and active geysers, including the world-famous Old Faithful. To discover it all for yourself, we'd recommend entering via the East Entrance, which allows easy access to the magnificent Yellowstone Lake - a popular fishing and boating spot. After spending some time on these much-fabled shores, head for a picnic in the park's wild forests, where bison, elk and antelope roam.
For an off-grid escape, bed down at Sunset Haven. This design-driven two-bedroom cabin comes with 11 acres of sweeping land, a fancy fire pit and a barbecue big enough to fit a whole bison on. The best bit? You're only a five-minute walk from the centre of Cody, with its many shops, cafés and bars.
Love steak? Gallop on down to Cassie's. This all-singing, all-dancing restaurant has an inviting atmosphere and a menu to match. Alongside the star-attraction steaks, you can expect the likes of buffalo wings, lobster-stuffed mushrooms and Rocky Mountain oysters. Come prepared to bust a move on the wooden dance floor, post-scoffing.
The Cody Cattle Company. This western watering hole spotlights upcoming talent at its nightly performances. Plus, its gooey chocolate brownies are famed locally.
Grab that friend who spends every free minute outdoors. They'll relish Cody's seemingly endless green spaces.
The weather in windswept Wyoming can be just as temperamental as that in the UK. The town's high elevation means winter temperatures regularly plummet below freezing. Those looking for guaranteed sunshine should visit between June and September.
One for capturing the moment? The Tom Ford Leather iPhone Lanyard will be your friend when it comes to creating an album packed with Pinterest-worthy pictures.
Getting to Wyoming isn't as straightforward as Kanye West may make it appear - the majority of flight routes require three stopovers. We recommend flying to Munich International Airport, from where you'll head to Denver International Airport, before taking a 90-minute flight to Cody's Yellowstone Regional Airport, which is just minutes from downtown Cody.
