Wyoming State Parks Near Cody

Buffalo Bill State Park is centered on Buffalo Bill Reservoir, a large mountain reservoir framed by rugged peaks and open sagebrush country. Visitors come for water recreation, wildlife viewing, and easy access to Cody and Yellowstone-area attractions.

Bowman Lake State Recreation Area offers a calm outdoor escape with a 200-acre lake, shoreline access, and abundant birdlife. It is especially popular with anglers, paddlers, and visitors looking for a low-key day trip in a natural prairie setting.

Smith Falls State Park is a small but iconic park in north-central Nebraska, best known for Smith Falls, the state’s tallest waterfall. The park offers river scenery, picnic areas, and access to the Niobrara National Scenic River corridor.

Long Lake State Recreation Area offers a low-key lakeside experience in Nebraska’s Sandhills, with opportunities for fishing, non-motorized boating, camping, and wildlife viewing. The park’s open grasslands and calm water create a scenic setting for day trips and overnight stays.

Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site protects a nationally significant collection of rock art and prehistoric cultural resources in a striking canyon setting. The site offers a quiet, educational visit with interpretive displays, wildlife viewing, and access to nearby public lands.

Chief Plenty Coups State Park features the preserved home, grounds, and burial site of one of the Crow Nation’s most respected leaders. The park offers a peaceful setting for learning about Crow history, leadership, and the changing Northern Plains.

Hot Springs State Park showcases a remarkable concentration of geothermal activity, including the Big Spring and vivid mineral terraces. It is a popular destination for soaking, sightseeing, and spotting bison in the park’s herd area.

Legend Rock State Archaeological Site showcases an extensive panel of prehistoric petroglyphs created by Indigenous peoples over many centuries. The site offers a quiet, self-guided experience focused on cultural heritage, archaeology, and scenic high-desert views.

Pictograph Cave State Park is one of Montana’s most significant archaeological sites, known for its pictographs and evidence of early human habitation. The park combines scenic badlands views, a visitor center, and easy access to the caves for a compact but memorable cultural outing.