Cowboy Adventures in Cody Yellowstone: Lindsay on Location
Yellowstone has always been an American staple, but because of the Paramount + show, "Yellowstone", the area has taken on a new popularity with pop culture. And you aren't alone if you want to come to Yellowstone because of the show. Because of the show, more than 1 million extra visitors came to the area. I had to see it all for myself. I am going to show you all the reasons you want to stay and keep coming back each year. Let's get lost in the wilderness.
The first few days we spend inside Yellowstone National Park at The Lake Yellowstone Hotel. The term unplugged took a new meaning for us. We flew into Cody, Wyoming then drove the few hours to the East entrance of the park. Nearing the park our service went radio silent. It took us a minute to adjust to our new normal for the next few days, but how nice is that? And isn't that the point? You are in this vast oasis of nature, be in the nature, be in the moments. I was all in.
Yellowstone National Park just had a big birthday. The park turned 150 years old. It is also the World's First National Park. Yellowstone became a national park on March 1, 1872, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law, "it protected more than 2 million acres of mountain wilderness, amazing geysers and vibrant landscapes for future generations to enjoy."
That is right, Yellowstone has 2.2 million acres of gorgeous landscape. I feel like we just skimmed the surface, but that's the great thing, you can keep coming back for more. Not many know but most of the park is located in Wyoming. With a small amount in both Montana and Idaho. One of the things that really makes it stand out from other National Parks is its geothermal activity. Yellowstone has half of the world's geysers. "A geyser is a rare kind of hot spring that is under pressure and erupts, sending jets of water and steam into the air." One of the more famous geyser is Old Faithful. Named because no matter what, with no fail, it irrupts. Making it very popular with the visitors. It usually gives you the show every 90 minutes give or take. And could spray up to 200 feet in the air. While you are there make sure to tour the Old Faithful Inn. The hotel was built in 1904. Looking a lot like a tree house, it is such a fun place to the entire family to enjoy.
My favorite geyser was The Grand Prismatic Hot Spring. It is the 3rd largest spring in the world and it's larger than a football field. Why it is my favorite is all the bright colors. You might have seen a photo of this from above, but nothing does it justice than seeing it in person. It doesn't look real. I was blown away. Make sure you climb up towards the fairy falls to see this from above. Trust me it's worth the little climb.
Another one of my highlights was the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. You might of thought there was only one, but there is one in Yellowstone. Its dramatic colors and shapes of the cliffs make it a must see.
Nature is a huge part of the park, but don't worry animal lovers this is your paradise. The amazing thing about Yellowstone is that they let the park be the park. If a tree falls, they let is fall. If there is drama among the animals they let them figure it out. Because as we know, nature has been doing its thing well before we got here. We got to see tons of Bison, Bulls, Elk, Antelope, deer, birds of all kinds. The only thing we didn't get to see is some bears. But almost everyone we talked to got to see them. The animals are living their life, so if we do not get in their space, they will not get in ours. Keep that in mind and stay smart and don't take that selfie.
Our home base for Yellowstone was Lake Yellowstone Hotel. It is the oldest hotel in the park with colonial design and perched right on the lake. It is open seasonally and was the perfect spot for us to enjoy the park and great French inspired cuisine each night at the dining room. If you go this season ask for Travis and tell him I sent you. He will take great care of you, he is amazing. Also don't miss out on their huckleberry margarita. Huckleberry is everything, and delicious.
Next we wanted to explore the are of Cody, Wyoming. And for what I was told it is the true cowboy culture we were looking for. For lunch we stoped just outside the East Entrance at the Historic Pahaska Pahaska Tepee’s original lodge built by Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Many know Buffalo Bill for his Wild West show he created in the late 1800's, but By the end of his life, Buffalo Bill had come to symbolize the American frontier itself. Buffalo Bill knew the importance of this area because of the wildlife and its beauty from the beginning. He knew that once the word got out, people would come.
"President Teddy Roosevelt called the stretch of highway between Cody, WY and the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park “the 50 most beautiful miles in America.”
You can stay at the cabins at Pahaska Pahaska Teepee, or stop in for a bit to eat. You can also tour Buffalo Bill's original hunting lodge. Make sure to look at all the original photos on the walls.
I have heard all about a Dude Ranch, but I really wanted to experience it first hand. We arrived at Shoshone Lodge & Guest Ranch just as they were prepping for new visitors. At a dude ranch you arrive on Monday and stay through the week. This is the way you become truly emerged into the culture. You stay at cabins and have activities everyday. You might ride horses through the mountains, head into Yellowstone Park, enjoy a rodeo, go rafting, and cookout. This is great for those of all ages. Shoshone ranch has been in the family for 99 years, so they know what they are doing. Yipper was my guide as I took out my horse Custard. Perfectly named, as we snacked every two seconds on our adventure. A woman after my own heart. We rode along the river to the top of the mountain. The views and mountain air from the top was like no other I have experienced. Dude ranches are a fun way to have that western adventure.
We checked into our hotel which happens to be one of Buffalo Bill's original hotels. Named after his daughter Irma, it is placed perfectly downtown surrounded by what feels like a western movie. Buffalo Bill's Irma hotel was built in 1902 and has history written all over it. Check out the cherrywood backbar in the restaurant. It was a gift from Queen Victoria of England to Buffalo Bill, after she saw one of his Wild West performances.
Located just down the street from downtown is Buffalo Bill's Center of the West. This is a state of the art facility that has 5 museums under one roof. From Native American culture and history, to west art, to everything about all the famous cowboys. You can get lost in here for an entire day. Instantly you see how it is affiliated to the Smithsonian. They also offer great experiences. For dinner we checked out the 2 Mules Chuckwagon. Chuckwagon dinners go back to the yearly 1900's. When they had to be out in the wilderness for months at a time. They built a system that allowed them to cook out of their wagon on dutch ovens. At 2 Mules Chuckwagon you see they way they cooked on the frontier. Everything by dutchoven. At the dinner you enjoy steak, beans, biscuits, salad, and cobbler. You can ask questions and really feel like you are part of that time in history. Make sure to book your reservation in advance, they book up!
Guns were part of survival in the early day of America. And to showcase that Cody Firearms has created an experience where you can read about and even shoot guns from our earliest days. The history behind the guns are something that was all new to me. Let alone didn't think I would ever learn to shoot one. I tried a few but to feel and see how 1795 flintlock was an experience. Cody Firearms Experience has created a safe way to learn to shoot these pieces of history.
Have you ever dreamed of seeing wild horses? Me too! We met up with Nate from Tread 'N' Trails, to see if it was our lucky day. We jumped into an ATV and hit the road. So much of Wyoming is public land that you can explore. If you haven't been on an ATV it is so much fun. One of the best ways to off road in the wilderness. About an hour in we saw two studs. Studs are the bachelor's of the group. Wild horses travel in groups called a Band. Studs leave their bands early on to go find their own bands. And these are true wild horses. Owned by no one, and never ridden. As a native, Nate knew all the local secrets and it paid off. Just before we needed to head back we hit the gold mine. We came across a band of about 50 horses. Seeing them in their natural habitat, wild and free, was pure magic.
The Cody Stampede Rodeo is something that happens every summer since 1919. It is the only nightly rodeo in the US. Sadly it got rained out or us, but I hear it is something not to be missed. There is barback riding, racing, team roping, kids calf scramble and so much more. Since I missed the event, the rodeo's MC, Colton, showed me a few tricks. One a rubber calf he taught me how to rope a calf as well as lasso one. In the rodeo he rides a horse, jumps off it, ropes a calf all under 8 seconds. I didn't have my rope in the right position in 8 seconds. I will leave the rodeo up to the professionals.
To end our Cody Yellowstone adventures we headed to Cody Cattle Company for a true dinner and a show. You starts the night with a chuckwagon dinner of brisket, pulled pork, beans, cornbread, potato salad, and more. Then the lights go down and the show begin. From old western favorites to remixes, the Tripple C Cowboys gives you a knee slapping, hand clapping good ole' time. The owners not only are the first to greet you at the door, they are also in the band. This is a family run business perfect for your family. It runs everynight in the summer. Not sure what Tripple C Cowboys was thinking but they let me on stage during, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Thankfully you all did not see it :) I had the time of my life with my air fiddle. They put on a great show and was so kind. Check them out!
The park had been on my bucket list for a while. As I have seen photos and did my research, nothing compares to the real thing. It blew me away. Unplugg, get lost, and find your inner cowboy in Cody Yellowstone.