Cody Yellowstone has hosted generations of travelers for over a century in some seriously fun and unique accommodations. From camping to glamping, dude ranches to B&B’s, Cody has a place for you at the gateway to Yellowstone National Park.
“From a room where Ernest Hemingway once slept to a wagon where a sheepherder once lay his head, there is a huge array of choices for travelers who embrace the quirk,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, a large swath of the Shoshone National Forest and about half of Yellowstone National Park. “And travelers who prefer something a little more predictable will find plenty of choices to suit their interests and budgets as well.”
Channel Your Inner “Papa” at the Chamberlin Inn
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.
Every room at the Chamberlin Inn is unique, but the best-known is the Hemingway Suite. The original Papa stayed here in 193 while working on Death in the Afternoon. You can follow in Hemingway’s footsteps fishing the Clarks Forks of the Yellowstone River and drinking with the locals at Irma Bar. Of course, the Inn displays the guest book in the lobby, and the entry “Ernest Hemingway, Key West, Florida” is proudly displayed.
Enjoy a Supernatural Stay at the Irma Hotel
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.
Buffalo Bill Cody built the Irma Hotel in 1902, and it’s still one of the most recognizable buildings on Sheridan Avenue. The hotel was named after Bill’s daughter, Irma, whose husband, Fred Garlow, had managed the hotel until their tragic deaths. Both Irma and Fred died of the Spanish flu in 1918.
Irma was only 35 when she passed, and she’s rumored to still haunt Room 35. Guests have reported water in the bathroom turning on and off, belongings moved to different locations, and artwork on the floor where it couldn’t have simply fallen from the picture hooks. In another room, there have been reports of Irma herself in a rocking chair. No one can say for certain if the hotel is genuinely haunted, but following the Hemingway drinking plan at the Irma Bar will surely increase your chances of seeing an apparition.
Count Sheep at the K3 Guest Ranch and Bed & Breakfast
Photo Credit: Cody Yellowstone CVB.
If you’ve ever wanted to sleep in a sheepherder’s wagon, the K3 Guest Ranch and Bed & Breakfast has you covered, literally lol! They have two freestanding wagons on the lawn and more unique rooms inside the main lodge, like the chuckwagon bed. Your Wild West immersive stay continues with the lodge’s extensive art collection, with many pieces created by owner Jerry Kincaid and his son and daughter.
Glamp at the Gates of Yellowstone at Pahaska Tepee
Photo Credit: WikiMedia Commons.
The Pahaska Tepee Lodge was Buffalo Bill Cody’s original hunting lodge, where he entertained his friends, including the Prince of Monaco and President Theodore Roosevelt. They don’t have teepees, but they do have a collection of A-frame cabins for glamping. Best of all, they’re the closest accommodations to the East Gate of Yellowstone.
Go to Sleepy in a Tipi at Cody Trout Ranch Camp or Ponderosa Campground
Photo Credit: Cody Yellowstone CVB.
Some outdoor purists say glamping isn’t camping. For us, just the tipi still countsi’s. In that spirit, Cody has two tipi camping options for people who want to try something new without the hassle of pitching a tent. The Cody Trout Ranch Camp – RV & Tipi Park on the shore of the Shoshone River is an ideal destination for anglers and rafters. The Ponderosa Campground’s location within town puts it within easy walking distance of many attractions.
Cool Your Jets at The Cody
Photo Credit: Cody Yellowstone CVB.
An addendum to the tipi rule is nothing counts if you’re in a hot tub, lol! Either way, The Cody has you covered with a standard jetted tub suite and a deluxe jetted tub suite with a fireplace to fulfill all your soaking desires.
Discover Nirvana at the Pure Heart Retreat
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.
Imagine a sanctuary of boutique domes nestled amid the serene wilderness near the edge of Yellowstone National Park. The Pure Heart Retreat invites you to experience its unique blend of luxury and tranquility in a sanctuary that’s only accessible by foot. The harmonious fusion of rustic natural and modern comfort blends seamlessly, especially in the all-glass yoga dome, where you can immerse yourself in nature while engaging in your practice.
Cowboy Up At Cody’s Ranches
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.
Cody Yellowstone invites you to cowboy up at one of their 17 guest, dude, and working ranches. This classic Western experience has attracted “dudes” to the area for over a century. Several of these ranches trace their origins back more than a century, and their owners have been integral parts of the community for multiple generations.
Word to the wise: consider booking a night in The Cody jetted suite after a week on a horse at a dude ranch. Your saddle-sore body will thank you!
Wrapping Up Unique Places to Stay in Cody Yellowstone
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.
Yellowstone National Park is known for its unique volcanic features, including calderas, geysers, and hot springs. It was the country’s first National Park and remains the largest National Park in the continental United States. There’s nothing like it anywhere else, which is also true of Cody Yellowstone’s unique accommodations. It’s good to know that a vacation full of history and curiosity doesn’t have to end when you leave the park.