Very interesting museum exhibits. Especially enjoyed the wildlife of the area. Very nice walk from the parking area or there's a shuttle if the walk is difficult. Handicap parking and drop off is close to museum if needed.
I didnt think I'd find it all that interesting, but I was surprised. Maybe bec. it was part of the natl. park system (on the National Register of Historic Places) the Visitor Ctr was very well done. It has a short film and black-and-white photos of early construction, and other information. It was fascinating to see what was "inside" the dam walls -- rocks vs. pylons -- and why it would withstand problems that other more modern dams might not; was originally the tallest dam; who/why deaths; costs; etc. The dam is very tall but a bit narrow, but to see the mammoth waters makes it worth the stop (& photos). ===There is a gift shop, and the rangers can answer some questions beyond the dam (like the road ahead in Yellowstone was closed due to weather) Open May1-Sept30. During the summer they have carts to help you get to the visitor center from the parking lot. There are state and national parks and camping nearby and of course the reservoir! 6 miles outside of Cody, WY. Only the audio tour has a fee.
We stopped at the dam on our way back to the hotel in Cody after a day driving through part of Yellowstone and over the Grand Tetons scenic drive. The visitor center was closing, but just viewing the self-interpretive area in the parking lot and the surrounding canyon hillsides was a good way to spend a bit of time at the end of the day.
The Buffalo Bill Dam is located just out of town heading toward Yellowstone National Park. You should take an hour or so and look here at this interesting place. There is a short movie to watch that tells the history of the dam and there is a golf cart service that will trolley you right up close to the door from the parking lot. There is places for RV's and cars to park. It's worth your while since you can walk out onto the dam's wall and look down the valley. You can see a fault line in the wall of the rock right beside the dam. Very interesting place, and it's free!
Stationed at the end of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir is the the Buffalo Bill Dam. This is right outside of Cody, WY. As you can see everything in this part of the country is named after Buffalo Bill Cody. This area is scenic and beautiful and filled with all the wonders of this region. If you are coming from Yellowstone, you will come right by the reservoir and the dam. If you come from the Cody area, take the time to drive out to this area. You won't regret the drive.
The buffalo bill dam is a good visit on vacation. It is beautiful and full of history. It was the first dam built in this way and they later patterned the Hoover dam after it. Highly resommend.
The small, but interesting museum shop provides a history of the dam and the area. The walk along the top of the dam provides an incredible view of the river below.
It is a short drive out of town. The reservoir and area are beautiful. The dam is accessible and you can look over the steep high wall down back over the town of Cody. The visitor center is small and entertaining. Fun way to kill a few hours.
This free activity is a wonderful place to see how dams changed the face of the desert and of the west. Farming became a real dependable industry. Lovely folks to explain the historical events and the results of the Buffalo Bill Dam and resevoir. It is really neat to see it in the spring when the over flow runs.
This is an easy stop on the side of the road headed into Cody. There is a small visitor's center with some interesting historical background, and the platform provides cool views of the canyon, dam and water. It was neat to see fallen tree limbs crowded near the dam's edge. Of course you can't physically venture into the canyon or touch the water, but just looking down into the abyss gives you an excellent sense of its depth. Standing against the rail a visitor can feel the refreshing cool mist from the cascading water. The staff is very friendly and during the summer months they even offer rides to and from the parking lot. This is definitely worth a 30-40 minute visit.