CODY, Wyo.– As the least populated state in the Lower 48 and with few large cities generating light pollution, Wyoming has some of the clearest and darkest skies in the country, particularly in the northwestern Wyoming destination of Cody Yellowstone. With just 30,000 residents spread out over some 7,000 square miles, solitude-seeking visitors can find plenty of places for nocturnal adventures.
The word “noctourism” may not be in the dictionary, but the travel industry is quickly learning that a quiet region with dark skies suitable for stargazing and a good’s night sleep can be a major – even deciding – factor on choosing a destination.
What exactly is noctourism (other terms are “astrotourism” and “Dark Skies” or the old-fashioned word, “star-gazing”)? According to trend watchers, it is the practice of looking for experiences after the sun sets. Some people build their vacations around observing and photographing the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) while others just want to gaze at the stars. Some people simply want to avoid crowds or the heat of the day. Other night owls go scuba diving in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef while some seek out nighttime safaris in Africa.
“Noctourism has been a sought-after adventure for more than a century, when dude ranch guests – most of whom traveled from Eastern cities – would gather around a campfire after a day of outdoor adventures,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director of Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, a large swath of the Shoshone National Forest and about half of Yellowstone National Park. “Today’s visitor can still gather around a campfire at a dude or guest ranch – or at one of the many other secluded places throughout the region – and experience not only night skies but also the sounds of true wilderness like rustling trees, softly running streams and the occasional howl of a coyote.”
Here are some of the top noctourism choices in Cody Yellowstone:
UXU Ranch. Beloved for its mountain views and epic trail rides, this one-time sawmill became a dude ranch in 1929. Owner Bob Rumsey first built a lodge and tent cabins and continued to mill lumber on the site. Eventually the ranch built permanent cabins – many which are still in operation today.
Bill Cody Ranch. Marking its 100th anniversary this year, Bill Cody Ranch was at one time owned by the grandson of Buffalo Bill. The ranch is located between the town of Cody and the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park. Guests can see rock formations from every angle, providing an otherworldly contrast to starry skies.
Wood River Valley Ski Touring Park. In winter cross country skiers head to a remote cabin where the only sound can be the occasional breeze blowing through the trees. In summer hikers make their way to the cabin.
Pahaska Tepee. Check out Buffalo Bill Cody’s original hunting lodge where he entertained his friends, including the Prince of Monaco and President Theodore Roosevelt. While there, stay in A-frame accommodations and make a beeline to Yellowstone National Park through the nearby East Gate.
Cody Trout Ranch Camp – RV & Tipi Park. Located on the banks of the Shoshone River, this campground features tipis and RV sites with hookups for overnight stays.
Pure Heart Retreat – Offering a blend of luxury and tranquility, Pure Heart Retreat offers geodesic domes measuring 23 feet in diameter as well access to a glass yoga dome. The retreat in the tiny town of Wapiti, Wyo. between Cody and the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park is designed to create a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway. This 27.5-mile route is part of what travelers and locals alike simply call the “Road to Yellowstone,” a 52-mile route between downtown Cody and the park’s East Gate. Even if you do not stay at one of the many dude or guest ranches along the way, you will see some serious mountain vistas and fascinating rock formations.
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. This road cuts through the Sunlight Basin between the Northeast Gate and Cody and features multiple guest ranches. It is the best spot in the region to see the Aurora Borealis. One of the best stops along the byway is Dead Indian Lookout, offering dark and unobstructed views of the stars as well as the rugged Wyoming landscape.
Home of the Great American Adventure, Cody Yellowstone is comprised of the northwestern Wyoming towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as areas inside of Yellowstone National Park and the valley east of the entrance. The region is known for rodeos, authentic guest and dude ranches, world-class museums and recreational adventures that reflect the adventurous spirit of the visionaries and explorers who brought the remote region to the world’s attention.
