Free & Cheap Things to Do in Cody

Museums & Galleries

One of the great museums of the American West, this Smithsonian Affiliate packs five museums under one roof: the Buffalo Bill, Whitney Western Art, Plains Indian, Cody Firearms, and Draper Natural History museums. One ticket covers all five and stays valid for two days.

Address: 720 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414

Tip: Buy online to save a couple dollars; budget at least half a day - few visitors see all five museums in one go.

History & Culture

A collection of 26 authentic Old West buildings relocated to the spot where Cody was founded, including cabins linked to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Frontier graves - including mountain man 'Liver-Eating' Johnson - and period artifacts complete the open-air history walk.

Address: 1831 Demaris Dr, Cody, WY 82414

Tip: Open mid-May through September only; visit in daylight as it closes by early evening.

History & Culture

On the site where more than 14,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during WWII, this National Historic Landmark interpretive center tells their story through original structures, artifacts, and survivor testimony - one of the most moving museum experiences in the region.

Address: 1539 Road 19, Powell, WY 82435

Tip: About 15 miles northeast toward Powell; winter hours drop to Wednesday-Saturday.

Quirky Landmarks

A genuinely quirky free downtown museum displaying more than a thousand 'dug up' relic firearms and battlefield artifacts recovered from sites spanning the Civil War, the Old West, both World Wars, and the Gold Rush. A fun, oddball stop right on the main drag.

Address: 1020 12th St, Cody, WY 82414

Tip: Open daily 9-9 May through September; winter hours are limited, so call ahead off-season.

Arts & Culture

A free, often-overlooked gem: a sweeping mural painted across a domed rotunda ceiling depicting the settlement of the West and early Latter-day Saint pioneer history, completed in 1951. A small museum below adds local pioneer artifacts. Quiet, beautiful, and genuinely free.

Address: 1719 Wyoming Ave, Cody, WY 82414

Tip: Open daily in summer; by appointment off-season, so call before a winter visit.

Outdoors

Perched above a dramatic canyon six miles west of town, this free visitor center sits atop one of the world's first concrete arch dams, completed in 1910. Walk across the dam for dizzying views into the Shoshone River gorge, with a short film and engineering exhibits.

Address: 4808 North Fork Hwy, Cody, WY 82414

Tip: Open daily May 1-September 30; it's right on the route to Yellowstone's east entrance.

Parks & Nature

A peaceful, free 1.3-mile gravel loop just five minutes from downtown, winding down toward the Shoshone River with interpretive signs and benches framing valley views. Quiet enough that you'll often have it to yourself - great for an easy walk or birding.

Address: River View Dr, Cody, WY 82414

Tip: Best spring through early fall; the gravel lots fit larger vehicles even after rain.

Parks & Nature

A free day-use park circling two reservoirs, with more than two miles of paved trail, accessible fishing piers, a Braille interpretive trail, and miles of natural-surface biking paths. A standout three-section off-leash dog park, including a dog beach, makes it a local favorite.

Address: 2401 14th St, Cody, WY 82414

Tip: Day-use only; the dog park has separate large-dog, small-dog, and beach areas.

Parks & Nature

Wrapping the turquoise Buffalo Bill Reservoir west of town beneath the Absaroka peaks, this state park offers nine day-use areas for fishing, boating, picnicking, and windsurfing, with jaw-dropping mountain-and-water scenery on the drive toward Yellowstone's east gate.

Address: 47 Lakeside Rd, Cody, WY 82414

Tip: The North Fork Highway hugs the reservoir, so even a quick photo pullout is worthwhile en route to Yellowstone.