Can anyone give me good info on living in Northern Wyoming?

Question

I'm considering working at a youth camp up there for a couple of years. I already know to expect to freeze my behind off (I've only lived in Cali, Texas, and Florida so I'm not really used to cold weather).

I'll be living north of Cody and east of Yellowstone, so anyone know things to do around there?

Little more info on me so you can answer accordingly:

-Single, mid-20s

-Enjoys outdoors

-Likes shopping occasionally

-Enjoys going to a movie occasionally

Answer 1

Honestly, there's not a whole lot to do in that area.  The national parks (Yellowstone, Teton, and Bighorn Canyon) are the biggest attractions in the area.  If you enjoy the outdoors, there are plenty of places to hike/camp/fish, either in the national parks or outside of them.  Jackson Hole, WY has a few more upscale areas since it is built around a big ski resort.  Cody's population is around 10,000 so don't expect any sort of big city.  Wyoming has a lot of oil and coal mining, so there are a lot of those type of people around.  It's got a pretty heavy western feel, unless you're in the national parks.

And it's only cold in the winter-I think you'll find the summer weather to be quite nice.  It's hot during the day, but then in the 60s at night which makes for great sleeping!  It's also not humid at all, which I find to be a nice change from growing up in the midwest.

Answer 2

Cody is not as cold as much of Wyoming although it is windy (chinook winds off the Absaroka Range).  However, if you're used to CA, TX, and FL then it will be cold to you in the winter.  The summers are great.

Cody only has 10000 people but it has a decent population of single, mid 20 age people, many of whom are active outdoor people.  Cody has some nice shops, bars, live music, etc for a town of its size.  Shopping is limited to a few stores in town....nearest large town is Billings, MT 100 miles away and depending on the type of shopping that may even be lacking.  You can certainly catch a movie in Cody.

The outdoor activities are what Cody really has going for it.  The Shoshone River runs right through town and the Absaroka Range is immediately to the west.  The Beartooth Mountains and Big Horn Mountains are within an hours drive to the east and northwest so there is unlimited and fantastic fishing, backpacking, hiking, biking, skiing, boating, hunting, in every direction.  The Big Horn Basin to the east has great desert areas with badlands, wild horses, and great views.  I should really emphasize the quality of outdoor recreation in that part of WY...it doesn't get much better.  Good luck.