Shoshone National Forest
Shoshone National Forest ( shoh-SHOH-nee) is the first federally protected National Forest in the United States and covers nearly 2,500,000 acres (10,000 km2) in the state of Wyoming. It lies 28 mi west of Cody. Its story as a place to visit starts in 1908.
A national forest, 28 mi west of Cody
Plan where you’ll sleep
The nearest town with many places to stay is Cody, 28 miles east. Where to stay ↓
Winters are cold
January nights drop to 14°, with about 45" of snow a year. When to go ↓
Established in 1908
Shoshone National Forest dates from 1908. About ↓
Best months: Jun, Aug and Sep
June, August and September are the mild months, with highs of 73–83°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Month by month
A visit to Shoshone National Forest can follow the seasons below.
Shoshone National Forest
Shoshone National Forest ( shoh-SHOH-nee) is the first federally protected National Forest in the United States and covers nearly 2,500,000 acres (10,000 km2) in the state of Wyoming. Originally a part of the Yellowstone Timberland Reserve, the forest is managed by the United States Forest Service and was created by an act of Congress and signed into law by U.S. president Benjamin Harrison in 1891. Shoshone National Forest is one of the first nationally protected land areas anywhere. Native Americans have lived in the region for at least 10,000 years, and when the region was first explored by European adventurers, forestlands were occupied by several different tribes. Never heavily settled or exploited, the forest has retained most of its wildness.
- Type
- National forest
- Established
- 1908
- Area
- 3,854 square miles
- Wikipedia readers
- 14K a year
Rooms near Shoshone National Forest
For a bed close by, look to Cody (48) and Cooke City (8).
Cody
The closest town with somewhere to stay.
10,377 people
28 mi east of Shoshone National Forest
Compare 3 towns
| Town | From Shoshone National Forest | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody | 28 mi east | 40 min | 48 19 hotels · 7 motels · 11 inns & B&Bs · 5 lodges & cabins · 4 campgrounds · 2 RV parks | 10,377 | $379K | B |
| Cooke City 53% vacation homes | 41 mi north | 1 hr | 8 2 hotels · 2 motels · 4 lodges & cabins | 86 | $371K | — |
| Ralston | 40 mi northeast | 1 hr | 1 1 lodge or cabins | 107 | — | — |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Combine it with these
These lie within 70 miles as the crow flies.
Big draw45 mi National ParkYellowstone National Park4.8M visitors a year
Big draw54 mi MountainYellowstone volcano
Big draw69 mi National ParkGrand Teton National Park3.8M visitors a year
36 mi Scenic driveBeartooth Highway
37 mi LakeYellowstone Lake
40 mi Park & preserveParting of the Waters
49 mi MountainGranite Peak
47 mi Canyon & gorgeGrand Canyon of the YellowstonePhoto credits
Yellowstone National Park: James St. John from Newark, Ohio, CC BY 2.0 · Yellowstone volcano: Ed Austin/Herb Jones, Public domain · Grand Teton National Park: Jon Sullivan, PD Photo., Public domain · Beartooth Highway: Phil Armitage, Public domain · Yellowstone Lake: NASA, Public domain · Parting of the Waters: Ericshawwhite, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Granite Peak: jfisher2167, CC BY 2.0 · Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0
Shoshone National Forest: what to know
What town is Shoshone National Forest near?
Cody, WY, about 28 miles east.
When is the best time to visit Shoshone National Forest?
June, August and September, with highs of 73–83°.
What is the closest airport to Shoshone National Forest?
Yellowstone Regional (COD), about 29 miles away.
Where should I stay near Shoshone National Forest?
Cody (28 mi, 48 places to stay) and Cooke City (41 mi, 8 places to stay).
Cody has the answers
Nobody has posted a tip yet; ask or answer in Cody’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.