This part of Wyoming is full of surprises. Between a mountain that moved, a house that never stopped growing, and a mystery statue that showed up overnight, there is a lot more to this area than most people realize. Here are 11 Cody Wyoming facts that might just surprise you, along with tips on where to see some of them for yourself.
1. Heart Mountain Moved 25 Miles
One of the coolest unusual facts Yellowstone visitors never hear about is right outside the park. Heart Mountain, a peak near Cody, was not always where it sits today. About 50 million years ago, ancient volcanic activity caused the mountain to slide roughly 25 miles from its original spot. That makes it one of the largest land movements ever recorded on Earth.
You can see Heart Mountain from Highway 14A just north of Cody. The Heart Mountain Interpretive Center also sits at its base and shares more of the mountain’s history.
2. A Famous Painter Was Born in Cody
Jackson Pollock, one of the most famous abstract painters in American history, was born right here in Cody, Wyoming. The town itself is named after Buffalo Bill Cody, so this small western town has two very different claims to fame.
3. Buffalo Bill Was a Real Frontier Scout
Most people know Buffalo Bill for his famous Wild West show, but before the fame, he was the real deal. He worked as a hunting guide for important visitors and served as a chief of scouts for the U.S. Army back in the 1860s and 1870s. His show came later, built on a life he had already lived.
You can learn more about his real story at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in downtown Cody.
Learn the real story behind Buffalo Bill’s frontier scout days at this Cody museum.
4. The House That Never Stopped Growing
Just outside Cody sits the Smith Mansion, a strange wooden house built by an engineer who kept adding to it year after year. Additions kept going up long after most people would have called it finished. It is visible from the road and remains one of the odder sights on the way to Yellowstone.
The Smith Mansion sits right along the North Fork Highway between Cody and Yellowstone’s East Gate, easy to spot but private property, so plan to view it from the road.
5. A Petrified Forest Hides Inside the Park
Some of the best fun facts about Yellowstone come from its ancient trees. Around 55 million years ago, volcanic ash and mudflows buried an entire forest, slowly turning the trees to stone. One giant petrified stump measures more than 26 feet around and would have stood 200 to 300 feet tall when it was alive. Parts of this fossil forest are still visible today for hikers willing to search them out.
The most accessible petrified trees sit along the Lamar Valley area of the park. Check with a Yellowstone visitor center for current trail conditions before you go.
6. Colorful Hot Springs Are Alive With Tiny Organisms
The bright oranges, yellows, greens, and blues you see in Yellowstone’s hot springs are not paint or minerals alone. They come from heat loving microorganisms that thrive in the hot water, creating one of the most colorful natural sights in the world.
Grand Prismatic Spring, located in the Midway Geyser Basin, is the best known example and easy to reach by boardwalk.
7. Scorpions Live in the Bighorn Basin
Most people do not picture scorpions in Wyoming, but they are here. Bighorn Basin facts would not be complete without mentioning the Northern Scorpion, the only scorpion species native to the state. They come out at night and glow bright blue under a UV flashlight, making them a fun and safe nighttime discovery for curious visitors.
Grab a UV flashlight after dark and scan the ground around your campsite. Just remember to look, not touch.
8. Some of the Darkest Skies in the Country
Old Faithful RV Park sits under a Bortle Class 1 sky, which means it is one of the darkest places in the entire lower 48 states. On a clear night, the Milky Way stretches overhead in a way most people have never seen before.
No special trip needed here, just step outside on a clear night during your stay with us.
9. A Mystery Statue Appeared Overnight
Interesting facts Cody Wyoming lovers will enjoy do not stop with cowboys and mountains. In 2013, a giant Big Boy statue mysteriously showed up in a vacant field along the highway between Cody and Yellowstone’s East Gate. Locals still love telling the story of how it got there, and it has become one of the most talked about roadside oddities on the way to the park.
Keep an eye out along the North Fork Highway in the Wapiti Valley, it is easy to spot right from the road.
10. A Giant Rifle Sits on a Rooftop in Cody
Downtown Cody has its own unusual landmark too. A roughly 30 foot rifle stretches across the roof of a local gun shop. It was originally used on John Wayne’s float during Cody’s 1976 Bicentennial parade, then found a permanent home on the rooftop after the celebration ended.
Look up while walking through downtown Cody to spot it for yourself.
11. A Two Headed Calf Lives in Old Trail Town
Old Trail Town, a collection of real frontier era buildings gathered just outside Cody, holds all kinds of Wild West history, including cabins once used by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It also happens to be home to a preserved two headed calf, one of the more unusual sights you will find anywhere in Wyoming.
Old Trail Town is open seasonally and located just west of downtown Cody, worth a stop on your way through.
More Cody Wyoming Facts Worth Exploring in Person
This area has a deep and surprising history, from moving mountains to mystery statues. If these Cody Wyoming facts made you want to see it all for yourself, there is plenty more to explore nearby.
Check out our guides on Things to Do in Cody Wyoming and Day Trips from Cody Wyoming for more ideas. If the dark sky fact caught your attention, our Dark Sky Stargazing guide has everything you need to know.
Your Home Base for Exploring It All
Old Faithful RV Park sits just 32 miles from Yellowstone’s East Gate, right in the middle of all this history and natural wonder. Whether you are here for the wildlife, the dark skies, or the strange and wonderful Cody Wyoming facts like these, we make a great home base for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cody Wyoming Facts
What is Cody Wyoming known for?
Cody Wyoming is known for its western history, its connection to Buffalo Bill, and its close location to Yellowstone’s East Gate. It is also known for dark skies, unique geology, and a surprising amount of hidden history.
Are there really scorpions in Wyoming?
Yes. The Northern Scorpion is native to Wyoming and is commonly found in the Bighorn Basin near Cody. They glow blue under UV light and rarely sting people.
Why are Yellowstone’s hot springs so colorful?
The bright colors come from heat loving microorganisms living in the hot water. Different colors show up depending on the temperature of each pool.
Is Old Faithful RV Park a good spot for stargazing?
Yes. The park sits under a Bortle Class 1 sky, one of the darkest sky ratings in the country, making it an excellent spot to see the Milky Way on a clear night.
Where can I see the Big Boy statue near Yellowstone?
The statue sits along the North Fork Highway in the Wapiti Valley, between Cody and Yellowstone’s East Gate, easily visible from the road.
What are some fun facts about Cody Wyoming?
Cody Wyoming facts range from a mountain that moved 25 miles to a two headed calf on display downtown, making this small western town full of surprises for first time visitors.
Rest. Explore. Repeat.