Father, Son and Brother Adventure Bonding in Cody Yellowstone

Dude alert: If you’ve fallen out of touch with the other guys in your family, Cody Yellowstone is the perfect place to catch up — and autumn is the ideal season for doing so in the great outdoors. From off-road adventures to historic ghost towns to plenty of wildlife, there’s something in this dynamic destination to please family travelers.

© Courtesy of Cody Yellowstone

“With families back home and kids in school, Cody Yellowstone in the fall tends to be a destination for mature audiences,” said Ryan Hauck, executive director, Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, parts of Shoshone National Forest and a large swath of Yellowstone National Park. “This is a time when grown-ups with a zest for adventure will find many ways to play and experience the authentic Western vibe of Cody Yellowstone.”

Hauck suggests a fishing expedition at one of Cody Yellowstone’s revered fishing spots. These include Shoshone River’s North and South Forks and an assortment of rivers and streams within the landscape of Yellowstone National Park. Book an excursion with a local outfitter who specializes in fishing trips focusing on trout and Yellowstone cutthroat.

© Courtesy of Cody Yellowstone

Make your driving trip through stunning mountains, valleys and forests even more memorable with the aid of the free TravelStorys app, which includes a GPS audio tour of the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway and Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway. There’s also a guided audio walking tour through downtown Cody offering insight into the town’s many historic locations and buildings.

Book a UTV tour with local outfitter Tread ’N Trails, and explore the backcountry and ghost town of Kirwin. The remnants of this vibrant, long-ago gold-mining town are nestled in the Absaroka Mountains, surrounded by plenty of great UTV trails. Be sure to park for long enough to hike to the foundation of a cabin in the process of being constructed by flight legend Amelia Earhart before she disappeared.

Don’t forget the wildlife: This is the season when Cody Yellowstone and the surrounding canyons, mountains, forests and river valleys teem with local critters. Bears, elk, wolves, moose, bison, eagles and river otters prepare for winter, mating or tricking out their dens. Elk bugling can be heard reverberating through the wilderness as these enormous creatures do their best to impress prospective mates or wage electrifying battles with their male rivals. Keep an eye out for wolves hunting with their pups or bears dining on pine nuts in preparation for the cold months ahead.

© Courtesy of Cody Yellowstone

See the trails from a different perspective while hiking, biking or horseback riding in areas including Beck Lake, Slick Rock and Shoshone National Forest. Wrap up the day at a local restaurant or brewery — or even a cigar lounge. The new Cody Yellowstone Sippin’ Trail app will lead the way.