Planning a Family Summer
in Wyoming

Yellowstone gets the headlines. Jackson Hole gets the Instagram posts. But for families who want the real Wyoming summer — horseback rides, creek swimming, wide-open space, and a town where kids can actually run around — Sheridan County is the quiet answer. It's accessible, affordable, and genuinely great for kids of every age.

Horseback Riding

Sheridan County has a long ranching tradition, and several local outfitters offer guided trail rides in the Bighorn Mountain foothills. Trail rides typically run 1–2 hours for beginners and half- or full-day rides for those who want to go deeper into the mountains.

Most outfitters welcome riders as young as 6 years old. Call ahead to confirm age and weight requirements. The combination of mountain views, actual working horses (not resort ponies), and trail terrain through real Wyoming landscape is something kids genuinely remember. Book at least a week ahead in July — this is popular.

Swimming Holes

The Tongue River and its tributaries create natural swimming holes in the canyon and foothills area that families have been using for generations. The water is cold (snowmelt), clear, and shallow enough in most spots for kids to wade safely.

Kendrick Park in downtown Sheridan has a wading pool specifically for small kids — free, clean, and right next to a playground. For older kids who want a real swimming hole, ask locals about the Tongue River Canyon access points south of Dayton.

Story Fish Hatchery

One of the most underrated family stops in the state: the Story Fish Hatchery, operated by Wyoming Game & Fish, is free, self-guided, and genuinely fascinating for kids who've never seen where fish come from. You can watch trout at every stage of development, from eggs to fingerlings to 12-inch stocked fish ready for Wyoming's lakes and streams.

It's 20 minutes from Sheridan in the small town of Story. Combine it with a picnic at nearby Soldiers' and Sailors' Park for a perfect half-day outing that costs nothing.

Day Trip: Yellowstone (With Kids)

Yellowstone is 3.5 hours from Sheridan via Cody — entirely doable as a long day trip if you pick your spots wisely. The key mistake families make is trying to see too much. Our recommendation for a single Yellowstone day with kids:

• Enter through the East Entrance (Cody route), stop at Sylvan Pass for views
• Drive directly to Mud Volcano — alien landscape, short boardwalk, kids love it
• Old Faithful (the classic — worth it, but expect crowds in July)
• Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail — short hike, biggest wow-per-foot ratio in the park
• Leave by 3 PM to avoid the evening traffic backup at the East Entrance

Pack lunch and snacks. Park food is mediocre and expensive. The America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) covers unlimited Yellowstone entry — buy it before the trip if you don't have one.

Day Trip: Cody Nightly Rodeo

The Cody Nightly Rodeo runs June through August, every single night at 8 PM. It's 2 hours from Sheridan, more affordable than the WYO Rodeo, and specifically designed to be a family-friendly, visitor-accessible introduction to rodeo. Kids can participate in mutton busting (ages 4–8), and the event runs about 2 hours — not so long that younger kids fade.

Make a day of it: drive through the Bighorn Canyon, stop in Greybull, arrive in Cody with time for the Buffalo Bill Center of the West before the rodeo. It's a genuinely excellent Western day for families.

Groceries & Self-Catering

One of the great advantages of a vacation rental over a hotel is the ability to cook for your family. Downtown Sheridan has a full Smith's grocery store (Kroger-affiliated), a natural foods co-op, and a farmers market on Thursdays. You can arrive with an empty cooler and fully provision for a week in under an hour.

Self-catering a Wyoming vacation with kids is easy, affordable, and means you're not fighting for restaurant reservations at 6 PM with tired children. Stock up, make breakfast at the rental, pack lunches for the trail, and save restaurant meals for the nights you want them.

Best Property Types for Families

For families, we recommend:

• Multi-bedroom houses (3+ bed): Kids get their own room, parents get sleep. Look for properties with a yard for evenings.
• Proximity to Kendrick Park: Perfect for families with kids under 8 — walk to the wading pool, playground, and trails.
• Garage or covered parking: Sheridan summers include afternoon thunderstorms. Covered parking and storage for gear matters.
• Washer/dryer: Non-negotiable for a week-long family trip with trail days.

Our AI Concierge can help match your group size and dates to the right property — just describe what you need.