^

SPHST Home

Places

Activities

Upcoming

Permits & Reservations

Park Rangers

More

Buffalo Bill State Park
 

Search Our Site

Buffalo Bill SP Logo
 
 

Activities & Amenities

(Click images to learn more about the various Activities & Amenities)


  • About Our Site
  • Updates
  • Events

 

About Our Site - Buffalo Bill State Park

 

The history of Buffalo Bill Reservoir and “Cody Country” is rooted in the rich lore of the old West. Buffalo Bill State Park was named for Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, famous as a wild west showman, promoter and developer. He first came to the region in the 1870s as a guide for a survey expedition and spent the next 20 years guiding and sponsoring hunting parties in the area.

“Buffalo Bill” Cody was influential in bringing irrigation and agricultural development into the area and founded the town in 1896 that bears his name. Some of the land now occupied by Buffalo Bill State Park was originally owned by Colonel Cody and was acquired from him by the federal government to implement the reservoir project.

IMG5511

Work began on the dam in 1905. When completed in 1910, it was the highest dam in the world at 325 feet. Buffalo Bill State Park was established in 1957 and provided recreational areas and facilities along the original shoreline. In 1993, an eight-year project was completed that raised the crest of the dam 25 feet and increased the reservoir storage capacity. The enlarged reservoir inundated the former recreation areas and required removal of the old park facilities. Buffalo Bill State Park has been redeveloped as part of that project.

Buffalo Bill State Park host Great Dam Day, Aug. 19

Buffalo-Bill-SP-LogoRGB

Come and enjoy Great Dam Day at Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center this weekend, August 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center along with Buffalo Bill State Park host this year’s event at the Visitor Center located six miles west of Cody on HWY 14/16/20.

In addition to the events planned, there will be different interpretive learning stations located below the visitor center on the old road to Yellowstone below the dam. Through cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, the old dam road is open next to the visitor center one time during the year, allowing the public to walk or ride bicycle to take in the views from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Rides back to the center will be available. 

Fat Racks BBQ will have food available for purchase at the visitor center lot. Also, the Bureau of Land Management will have activities for kids to participate in.

Buffalo Bill Dam was completed in 1910 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Buffalo Bill Dam was the tallest dam in the world upon completion. Construction began in 1904 and work was dangerous, difficult and tedious.

The completed water storage supplies four irrigation districts encompassing over 93,000 acres of farmland.

Youth and adults alike will find the views and history fascinating. Staff and volunteers will be on-site to answer questions and provide assistance.

The event is open and free to the public. For any questions, please contact the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center General Manager Leslie Slater Wilson, at (307) 527-6076.

 

View more updates for Buffalo Bill State Park!

 

 
exclamation

Site Status

 

Park is open year round for camping and day use.  Certain facilities and amenities are shut down due to weather and winter season.

Attention:


HCB Advisories in Effect

↪ Find Out More ↪ Download Flyer

exclamation

Hours

 

May 1 - September 30:

Everything Open - Water and Showers weather dependent in May and September. Office hours 7am-7pm, Park open 24 hours a day to visitors; these hours vary as well due to seasonal employee personnel availability.

October - April: 

North Fork Campground Closed; Sheep Mountain Day Use Area Closed; Rest of park open to camping and day use, ALL water systems turned off for the winter season.

 

Map

Phone Number

 

307-587-9227

 

Map

 Location

 

 Buffalo Bill State Park
 4192 Northfork Hwy
 Cody, WY 82414

↪ Get Directions

↪View BHBBC Weather Station Readouts

giweather joomla module

 

 

Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest Imager