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Buffalo Bill/North Shore Bay
Overview
Buffalo Bill State Park - North Shore Bay offers a scenic and spacious camping experience just outside of Cody, Wyoming. Situated on the banks of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir, this park serves as a gateway to the wild landscapes of the Absaroka Range. It provides a more open, natural feel compared to commercial parks in town, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of the high desert. It is widely considered one of the most picturesque state parks in the region for those who appreciate big skies and mountain silhouettes.
Location & Surroundings
Located approximately nine miles west of Cody, the park sits at an elevation of 5,400 feet. The surroundings are defined by the dramatic Absaroka Mountains and the vast, blue waters of the reservoir. Because the area is largely treeless, travelers enjoy unobstructed views of the horizon, though they should be prepared for the famous Wyoming winds that often sweep through the Shoshone River canyon. The park offers a peaceful transition between the western town life of Cody and the untamed wilderness of the surrounding national forests.
Amenities & Park Features
The North Shore Bay area features developed campsites that cater well to modern RVers. Many sites offer electric hookups, including 30 and 50-amp options, while water is available at central spigots throughout the loop. Each site typically includes a picnic table and a fire ring for evening gatherings. While the park maintains a rustic charm with vault toilets, a sanitary dump station is conveniently located near the park entrance for guest use. The sites are designed to accommodate various rig sizes, though levelness can vary depending on the specific loop.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the primary draw here, with the reservoir providing world-class opportunities for boating and windsurfing. Anglers often visit to cast for trout in the Shoshone River or the lake. For a change of pace, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody offers five incredible museums under one roof, while the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park is just a short, scenic drive away. Visitors can also explore Old Trail Town to see authentic frontier buildings from the 1800s preserved in their original state.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for travelers who prioritize scenic vistas and outdoor adventure over resort-style amenities like pools or clubhouses. It is a fantastic choice for those using Cody as a basecamp to explore Yellowstone or for boaters looking for easy water access. If you enjoy wide-open spaces, star-filled nights, and the feeling of being deep in the Wyoming wilderness, North Shore Bay is the perfect fit for your RV travel style.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
david lamberti
Another beautiful stop along the Yellowstone trail headed from Cody WY to the park. There are several types of camping and RV spots available for a decent cost.
Lorrie Kalmbach-Ehlers
We stayed in the Lakeshore part of the park and our site was right on the water. The view was worth a million dollars! The park was clean, with lots of garbage cans throughout. The sites were nicely spaced apart and each had a nice gravel patio area. We had a small path that led to the waters edge. The water is definitely rocky along the shore so swimming would be difficult. We only saw a ranger once pass through so not a lot of staff around. We camped at Buffalo Bill State Park in a 36’ Fifth Wheel and had plenty of room. Having sewer would have bumped the rating to 5 star!
Jenevieve Hornsby
The Buffalo Bill State Park and Reservoir are absolutely wonderful. We have an annual pass and in the warmer months go at least since a week (on either the North or South Fork sides. The gate attendant is always kind as are the rangers. The views are incredible, water is cold and refreshing for a quick dip. We’ve had success fishing with our friends’ kids here. Overall a great place for all sorts of outdoor endeavors. Picnicking, kayaking, driftwood building, fishing, relaxing, grilling, sunbathing. You can do it all. Spend a few hours or a few days.
Rebecca Inman
Easily one of our go to camping spots year after year! Clean facilities, clean campground, close to Cody & Yellowstone!
ChickyDoodleAnnie
This was a great place to stay for visiting the Cody Stampede Rodeo, and then on to Yellowstone. The setting was beautiful and the park/campground was clean and well-maintained, as usual for state parks. I knocked one star off because the tent pitch I had was hard and barren. There was no grass on the pitch and it was surrounded by a fence. I think the fence was to help block the strong winds coming off the lake, but it did block the view. And I couldn't get tent stakes in the ground, so I had to find rocks. I stayed in the very last pitch, to the southeast, which gave me unobstructed views and access to the lake once outisde the fence. That was lovely. The pitch itself wasn't great for tent camping, but the place overall was very nice. I'd still rather stay there on a hard pitch out in nature than in a hotel in town.