All activities / Horse Riding / Equestrian / Cody
Horse Riding / Equestrian in CodyUS
Buffalo Bill's town on Yellowstone's east flank, ringed by historic dude ranches where a week in the saddle is the whole point of the trip.
Why here
The dude ranch is a uniquely American invention, and the valleys around Cody hold some of its oldest practitioners: UXU Ranch has hosted riders inside Shoshone National Forest since 1929, and 7D Ranch works the Sunlight Basin near Yellowstone's northeast corner. The format is the draw: an all-inclusive Saturday-to-Saturday week where riding is the daily core, horses matched to riders, mountain-meadow trail systems out the cabin door, pack trips and fly-fishing layered in. The Dude Ranchers' Association has vetted member ranches since 1926, so the heritage is certified rather than themed, and capacity caps keep every ranch feeling like a family operation.
Best months
June through September is the season. Weeks book Saturday to Saturday, often a year out for July. Novices are taught from the first morning; confident riders get faster strings and longer country.
Getting there & around
Fly to Cody (COD) or Bozeman (BZN); ranches arrange pickups. Book six to twelve months ahead and pair the week with Yellowstone's east entrance, 40 minutes away.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced
Schools & guides (2)
7D Ranch
OutfitterA Sunlight Basin ranch near Yellowstone's northeast corner pairing daily riding with pack trips and fly-fishing, a Dude Ranchers' Association member.
UXU Ranch
OutfitterA historic 1929 guest ranch in Shoshone National Forest on the Yellowstone east-entrance road, a Dude Ranchers' Association member with cabin lodging and daily rides.