Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Cody, WY
A complex of five museums in Cody covering the American West, Plains Indian cultures, firearms, art and natural history of the Yellowstone region. Plan half a day; it pairs well with a Yellowstone trip.
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody comprises five museums: the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Whitney Western Art Museum, the Draper Natural History Museum and the Cody Firearms Museum, plus the McCracken Research Library. It began in 1927 with the Buffalo Bill Museum, a log cabin downtown; the other museums were added between 1959 and 2002. The collections occupy roughly 300,000 square feet (28,000 m²) of exhibit and archive space.
The center is a Smithsonian Affiliate. Plan on half a day. Cody is the closest town to Yellowstone National Park’s East Entrance, about an hour’s drive away, so the center makes a good stop before or after the park. It is located at 720 Sheridan Avenue.
- Nearest town
- Cody, WY
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 44.5251, -109.0731
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Ponderosa CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Buffalo Bill Center of the WestTentsCaravansElectricityWi-Fi
- Parkway RV CampgroundMotorhome stopover1 mi from Buffalo Bill Center of the WestMotorhomes
- Absaroka Bay RV ParkMotorhome stopover1 mi from Buffalo Bill Center of the WestMotorhomes
- Cody KOAMotorhome stopover3 mi from Buffalo Bill Center of the WestMotorhomes
- Wheels of Wonderment Motorcycle CampgroundCampsite18 mi from Buffalo Bill Center of the West
- Dead IndianCampsite23 mi from Buffalo Bill Center of the West
All campsites in Wyoming · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Buffalo Bill Center of the West?
Buffalo Bill Center of the West is in Cody, WY, at GPS 44.5251, -109.0731. It is about 25 mi from Clark.
Can you camp near Buffalo Bill Center of the West?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Ponderosa Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 14 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Buffalo Bill Center of the West?
Places worth a stop nearby: Dead Indian Summit Overlook (22 mi), Beartooth Pass (36 mi), Devil Canyon Overlook, Bighorn Canyon (53 mi) and Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark (60 mi).
When is the best time to visit Buffalo Bill Center of the West?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)