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Visiting Yellowstone

Willow Camp, Yellowstone National Park, Wiylie Co. MS 21 Yellowstone National Park Collection. P.21.156.2
Cody is just east of Yellowstone. Tile map in our Draper Natural History Museum
Cody is just east of Yellowstone. Tile map in our Draper Natural History Museum

Plan Your Visit to Yellowstone National Park

Headed to Yellowstone National Park? A stop at the Center of the West on your way will enhance your visit to the nation’s very first national park! Our museums highlight the Yellowstone region’s incredible wildlife; display stunning paintings of  the park’s intriguing geysers, waterfalls, and landscapes; and interpret the natural history and science of this amazing ecosystem.

We’re the perfect place to begin—or end—a trip to Yellowstone National Park, just an hour west of Cody.

The Center of the West is at 720 Sheridan Avenue in Cody; these directions will help you find us.

The Center is open 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. every through the summer season.

Explore the Draper Museum’s Natural History Exhibits

Your journey through the Draper will introduce you to the ecology and natural history of the Yellowstone area, complete with sights, sounds, and even smells. Learn about the wildlife, plant life, and prehistory as you take our interactive tour.

You may see grizzly or black bears in Yellowstone National Park, like this black bear mother and cub.
You may see grizzly or black bears in Yellowstone National Park, like this black bear mother and cub.
Explore the Draper Natural History Museum's bear exhibit featuring realistic grizzly bear specimens, a mother and cub, set in a detailed natural habitat display.
Learn about bears in our Draper Natural History Museum first. Our bear exhibit includes these grizzly bear specimens, mother and cub.

Prepare for Your Yellowstone Adventure

See our recommendation of four videos to watch before visiting Yellowstone.

See the Artistic Views of Yellowstone’s Lower Falls

These amazing artists have over more than a century. These works—and more of this iconic site in Yellowstone—are part of the amazing collection of our Whitney Western Art Museum:

Yellowstone wildflowers: Coville's columbine
Coville’s columbine

The Center of the West’s Staff Loves Yellowstone National Park too!

Enjoy these blog posts and gain some personal insight into the park as well:

Yellowstone National Park information

By phone:

  • 307-344-2117: Road conditions and weather information
  • 307-344-7381: General park information
  • 307-344-7311: Lodging and campground information

On the web: