Your Perfect Wyoming Winter Itinerary - Park County
By: Sarah Reish
There are a million ideas out there for how you can plan the ultimate trip, especially when visiting the birthplace of our National Parks, Yellowstone - located right here in Park County. We are locals to the area and have put together three itineraries for your winter trip to Park County. The first is for our solo travelers, the second for families, and the third for couples, both young and old.
We know planning safe travel is important and winter adventures are some of the most memorable. We kept that in mind and have compiled safe outdoor activities that will create memories you will treasure for years to come. Get creative and customize your trip as needed and contact us if you have questions!
Park County, Wyoming - Winter Itinerary For The Solo Traveler
Pack your bags, we have planned a fun adventure filled trip for you! Be sure to pack hiking shoes and outdoor winter gear.
Book your stay at the historic Irma Hotel. With a restaurant and historic bar to enjoy, we are sure you will love it!
Day 1
Grab breakfast at The Irma or coffee and crepes at The Station in Cody
Head up 14/16/20 North Fork to Sleeping Giant for a day of skiing, snowboarding or try their SnoGo Bikes! You can rent ski and snowboarding gear at Sunlight Sports.
Enjoy lunch on the slopes, there are food options available. Be sure to check out their night skiing hours!
Day 2
Head across the street and grab coffee from Rawhide!
We hope you packed your outdoor gear, we’re sending you to Elks Fork Trailhead for some fresh air. Depending on the weather make it a hike or stop by Sunlight Sports and rent snowshoes or cross country skis. This trail is perfect for any of these activities.
After your hike it’s time to head back into town. Hit up The Breadboard drive thru for an amazing lunch on the go.
This next adventure requires 4-wheel drive and depends on weather. We are giving you two options!
The McCullough Peaks offers a stunning scenic dirt trail drive. Bring your camera and watch for our wild horses!
Kirwin Ghost Town is an amazing trail drive located near Meeteetse, approximately 25 miles away from Cody. At the end you can park and hike in and explore the ghost town.
Day 3
Enjoy a big breakfast at the Irma before heading out on todays adventure!
This day requires your snow gear again. Head to Sunlight Sports and rent snowshoes or cross country skis, we are heading into Yellowstone! Drive up 14/16/20 past Sleeping Giant and park outside the east gate. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing into Yellowstone is a favorite for locals.
Spend an evening with warm coffee or cocoa in our park pods. They are opening in Cody on December 19th in the park next to the Visitors Center! These clear domes are furnished and are perfect for relaxing and watching the stars or the snow fall - also, I think they make great photo backdrops!
We hope you enjoy this itinerary, remember itineraries are flexible, so get creative and customize your weekend getaway!
Park County, Wyoming - Winter Itinerary for Families
Pack up the kids and your winter gear, you are headed into a weekend filled with fun! Don’t forget to pack games and extra gloves for the kids! Pre-plan one of our fun drives by ordering a book titled Cody to Yellowstone - self guided photography tour where you can find the hidden figures in rock formations along the 14/16/20 North Fork highway. It’s the book with the bear on the front.
Book your family’s stay at the historic Irma Hotel - this is a family friendly place and it is located right on main street with all of the holiday lights! We are pretty sure both you and the kids will enjoy it.
Day 1
Pack up your winter gear and grab breakfast downstairs to get energized for a day of fun.
Start your day with a 54 mile drive through Shoshone National Forest on highway 14/16/20. Using your Cody to Yellowstone book you and the kids can find the laughing pig, Snoopy, toboggan sledders, and even the goose, but I think it looks more like Bart Simpson! The Shoshone National Forest is the very first and oldest National Forest in America, it is 2.4 million acres and it is absolutely stunning this time of year. Also, there is a ton of wildlife, keep your eyes open for the Big Horn Sheep!
This drive takes you to the slopes! Sleeping Giant is designed for fun and features tons of activities you and your family can enjoy on the slopes. Tubing, skiing, snowboarding and even SnoGo Bikes! Ski rentals are available at Sunlight Sports in Cody.
Day 2
After enjoying your breakfast its time to bundle up and head 24 miles to Powell and spend the day ice skating on the outdoor rink located at Homesteader Park. Don’t worry about bringing skates, they have them available to rent in the warming hut.
Head back to Cody and grab some cocoa for the kids and coffee for you! We are headed to the park to hang out in the park pods! These clear domes are furnished and makes game time with the family magical - enjoy stargazing or watch the snow fall. They will be opening in Cody on December 19 in the park next to the Visitors Center!
Day 3
It’s all about the kids and creating memories. Let’s let them choose!
Option one - Head back to Sleeping Giant for a day on the slopes
Option two - If snow is on the ground head to Sunlight Sports and rent snowshoes or cross country skis and show them winter is one of the best seasons for exploring. Head back up 14/16/20 North Fork and head to Wapiti Campground Trail. This hike is easy enough for the kids and should be very enjoyable and if it is snowy, it is the perfect place for them to learn to snowshoe or cross country ski.
End on a high note! If it is still December book a holiday light tour in on the Cody Trolley or a private limo!
We think both you and the kids will enjoy this itinerary. Everything is customizable and with kids we know it is always best to be flexible and ready to adjust to their needs. Let us know what you plan and share your adventures with us!
Park County, Wyoming - Winter Itinerary - for the Couples
If you are anything like Steve and me, we struggle planning a trip that doesn’t revolve around one of our issues and stories. So, we are doing the work for you - this is a dream trip for two in Park County that we think you will love!
Book your stay at the historic and charming Chamberlin Inn.
Day 1
Grab breakfast on the go at The Station. They offer amazing coffee and crepe options!
Depending on the weather, this will be a hike or, if snow is on the ground, it’s off to Sunlight Sports to rent your gear! Will it be snowshoeing or cross country skiing?
Head up 14/16/20 North Fork to Elks Fork Trailhead or to Wapiti Campground Trail. Both trails are stunning and are perfect for dry or snowy weather cardio.
Head back to town and explore downtown.
Day 2
Start your day off with a stunning drive, there are five scenic drives in Park County alone! We absolutely love the North Fork, But the South Fork is absolutely stunning!
Head back into town and grab your ski rentals from Sunlight Sports, we are headed to the slopes of Sleeping Giant for some afternoon and night skiing!
Day 3
Today we are ice skating at Homesteader Park in Powell! The warming hut offers skate rentals. Nothing beats a real outdoor rink and we think this is an amazing experience and creates a wonderful winter memory.
After skating, head over to WYlod West Brewing Company for lunch and a beer tasting. Then explore Bent Street and shop local!
Head back to your hotel and enjoy the amazing glass conservatory and the Chamberlin Inn’s signature cocktails.
We loved this itinerary because it offers a variety of activities and excursions for both of you to enjoy. As always, itineraries are flexible, we are just giving you a starting point.
Plan Ahead
Planning ahead makes for a stress free trip. Here are some resources you may need depending on the itinerary you choose. Don’t forget PCTC has amazing travel resources as well!
Winter gear rentals: Sunlight Sports
Book your stay: Irma Hotel or Chamberlin Inn
Explore our rock formations on 14/16/20 North Fork with a copy of Cody to Yellowstone self guided photographic tour book (the one with the bear).
Need lunch to go? Hit up The Breadboard drive through!
For the outdoor hikes, snowshoeing and cross country skiing stay safe and be sure to bring your bear spray, most stores in town carry it.
Start planning your get away!
Let us know what you think of our itineraries and share your ideas in the comments. Be sure to take photos during your travels and tag us, @LiveWYldMag and @CodyYellostone then use #LiveWYld