--- title: "Planning a Family Summer in Wyoming — Wyo Stays" description: "Horseback riding, swimming holes, and ice cream trails in Sheridan County. Your complete family vacation planning guide for Wyoming." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://wyostays.com/journal/family-summer-wyoming#article", "headline": "Planning a Family Summer in Wyoming", "description": "Horseback riding, swimming holes, and ice cream trails in Sheridan County. Your complete family vacation planning guide for Wyoming.", "datePublished": "2025-11-30", "dateModified": "2026-03-30", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dalton Goodyear", "url": "https://wyostays.com/about" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#organization" }, "wordCount": 1800, "articleSection": "Where to Stay", "inLanguage": "en-US", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://wyostays.com/journal#blog" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ ".article-intro", ".faq-answer", "[data-speakable]" ] } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Wyo Stays", "item": "https://wyostays.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Journal", "item": "https://wyostays.com/journal" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Family Summer Guide", "item": "https://wyostays.com/journal/family-summer-wyoming" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the best family activities in Sheridan Wyoming?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Top family activities include guided horseback rides in the Bighorn foothills (kids 6+), the Story Fish Hatchery (free, self-guided), Kendrick Park wading pool and playground, Tongue River Canyon swimming holes, the Thursday Sheridan Farmers Market (June–September), and day trips to Yellowstone (3.5 hours) or the Cody Nightly Rodeo (2 hours)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you do a day trip to Yellowstone from Sheridan Wyoming?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Yellowstone is about 3.5 hours from Sheridan via Cody through the East Entrance. Enter early, hit Mud Volcano, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Overlook — leave by 3 PM to avoid traffic. Pack lunch. The America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) covers unlimited entry." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What type of vacation rental is best for families in Sheridan?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Multi-bedroom houses (3+ bed) near Kendrick Park are ideal — kids get their own room, you're walkable to the wading pool and playground, and a full kitchen saves on dining costs. Look for properties with a yard, washer/dryer, and garage or covered parking." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the Cody Nightly Rodeo good for kids?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. The Cody Nightly Rodeo runs every night June–August at 8 PM, is specifically designed to be family-friendly, and kids ages 4–8 can participate in mutton busting. The event runs about 2 hours. Cody is 2 hours from Sheridan." } } ] } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": [ "LocalBusiness", "LodgingBusiness", "RealEstateAgent" ], "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#organization", "name": "Wyo Stays", "legalName": "Wyo Stays LLC", "url": "https://wyostays.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#logo", "url": "https://wyostays.com/images/wyo-stays-logo.png", "caption": "Wyo Stays — Licensed Wyoming Vacation Rental Brokerage" }, "image": { "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#logo" }, "description": "Wyo Stays is a licensed Sheridan County brokerage built for vacation rentals, headquartered at 151 W Brundage St in Sheridan, Wyoming. Founded by Dalton Goodyear in 2020. 40+ vacation rental properties across Sheridan County and the Bighorn Mountains, part of 95+ total doors under a Wyoming real estate brokerage license. 4,210+ verified guest reviews. Airbnb Superhost, Airbnb Guest Favourite, and VRBO Premier Partner. 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Began hosting in 2017, founded Wyo Stays in 2020.", "url": "https://wyostays.com/about", "telephone": "+1-307-312-9656", "worksFor": { "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#organization" }, "homeLocation": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Sheridan, Wyoming" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/wyostays" ], "hasCredential": { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "Wyoming Real Estate Responsible Broker License", "url": "https://online.wyrec.org/#/verifylicense", "recognizedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Wyoming Real Estate Commission", "url": "https://realestate.wyo.gov" } } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#website", "name": "Wyo Stays", "url": "https://wyostays.com", "publisher": { "@id": "https://wyostays.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/theme/wyostays?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } } ] } ] --- [Book direct & save 16–20% — no Airbnb fees Learn more → ](/book-direct) [![Wyo Stays logo](/assets/logo-mark-i6yhcujF.png)Wyo Stays™ ](/) [Stays](/stays)[Venues](/venues) Explore [Weddings](/weddings)[Hunting](/hunting) Owners [Rentals](/rentals)[About](/about)[(307) 312-9656](tel:+13073129656)[Book Now](https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/theme/wyostays?sid=ndg-a__hfxk762a19&num_guests=1) [Book Now](https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/theme/wyostays?sid=ndg-a__hfxk762a19&num_guests=1) [Stays](/stays)[Venues](/venues)Explore[Weddings](/weddings)[Hunting](/hunting)Owners[Rentals](/rentals)[Partners](/partners)[About](/about)[Journal](/journal) [Tenant Portal](https://wyostays.managebuilding.com/Resident/portal/login)· [Owner Portal](/owner-portal) [(307) 312-9656](tel:+13073129656)[Book Direct — Save 16–20% →](https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/theme/wyostays?sid=ndg-a__hfxk762a19&num_guests=1) ![Planning a Family Summer in Wyoming](/images/blog/family-summer-wyoming.jpg) Where to Stay # Planning a Family Summer in Wyoming Horseback riding, swimming holes, and real Wyoming adventure — your complete family guide to Sheridan County. Dalton Goodyear · Nov 30, 2025 · 5 min read 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. > For families who want the real Wyoming summer — horseback rides, creek swimming, wide-open space — Sheridan County is the quiet answer that delivers every time. Family Activities by Age Group Activity Ages Duration Distance Cost Kendrick Park Wading Pool Toddler–8 1–2 hours Downtown Free Story Fish Hatchery All ages 45 min–1 hour 20 min Free Horseback Riding 6+ 1–4 hours 20–30 min $60–150 Tongue River Swimming Holes 8+ Half day 25 min Free Cody Nightly Rodeo All ages 2 hours 2 hours $15–25 Yellowstone Day Trip 5+ Full day 3.5 hours $35 park pass Farmers Market (Thursdays) All ages 1–2 hours Downtown Free ## 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. Book at least a week ahead in July. ## Swimming Holes The Tongue River and its tributaries create natural swimming holes in the canyon and foothills area. 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, 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 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. 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. Our recommendation: - 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 ## 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 family-friendly. Kids can participate in mutton busting (ages 4–8). ## 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, 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. ## Best Property Types for Families - **Multi-bedroom houses (3+ bed):** Kids get their own room. Look for properties with a yard. - **Proximity to Kendrick Park:** Perfect for families with kids under 8. - **Garage or covered parking:** Sheridan summers include afternoon thunderstorms. - **Washer/dryer:** Non-negotiable for a week-long family trip with trail days. For a curated shortlist tuned to traveling with kids, browse our [family cabins in Sheridan, Wyoming](/family-cabins-sheridan-wyoming) — or see the full [Sheridan cabin collection](/cabins-in-sheridan-wyoming). Our [Wyo Stays Concierge](/concierge) can help match your group size and dates to the right property. ### Find the Right Family Stay Multi-bedroom homes, yards, and proximity to the things families actually want to do in Sheridan County. [ ![Rachael's Place](https://images.bookhostai.com/?url=https://photos.bookhostai.com/clients/properties/wyostays/ctyKtmK9aaItGXUmPMK0/6983757f95c4ee001552cebb/original.jpeg&f=webp&w=800) #### Rachael's Place Dayton, Wyoming · ★ 4.8 ](https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/property/ctyKtmK9aaItGXUmPMK0?tid=wyostays)[ ![Sheridan Home Near Main St.](https://images.bookhostai.com/?url=https://photos.bookhostai.com/clients/properties/wyostays/DKjoc8nr1zovloOR5tjK/697b8650fbfd67001546c28b/original.jpeg&f=webp&w=800) #### Sheridan Home Near Main St. Sheridan, Wyoming · ★ 4.8 ](https://book.wyostays.com/wyostays/property/DKjoc8nr1zovloOR5tjK?tid=wyostays) [Browse All Stays](https://book.wyostays.com) ## Frequently Asked Questions What are the best family activities in Sheridan Wyoming? Top family activities include guided horseback rides in the Bighorn foothills (kids 6+), the Story Fish Hatchery (free, self-guided), Kendrick Park wading pool and playground, Tongue River Canyon swimming holes, the Thursday Sheridan Farmers Market (June–September), and day trips to Yellowstone or the Cody Nightly Rodeo. Can you do a day trip to Yellowstone from Sheridan Wyoming? Yes. Yellowstone is about 3.5 hours from Sheridan via Cody through the East Entrance. Enter early, hit Mud Volcano, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Overlook — leave by 3 PM to avoid traffic. Pack lunch. What type of vacation rental is best for families in Sheridan? Multi-bedroom houses (3+ bed) near Kendrick Park are ideal — kids get their own room, you're walkable to the wading pool and playground, and a full kitchen saves on dining costs. Look for properties with a yard, washer/dryer, and garage. Is the Cody Nightly Rodeo good for kids? Yes. The Cody Nightly Rodeo runs every night June–August at 8 PM, is family-friendly, and kids ages 4–8 can participate in mutton busting. The event runs about 2 hours. Cody is 2 hours from Sheridan. Contents - [Horseback Riding](#horseback) - [Swimming Holes](#swimming) - [Story Fish Hatchery](#fish-hatchery) - [Day Trip: Yellowstone (With Kids)](#yellowstone) - [Day Trip: Cody Nightly Rodeo](#cody-rodeo) - [Groceries & Self-Catering](#groceries) - [Best Property Types for Families](#property-types) Share [ Planning a trip? Browse 40+ properties across Sheridan County. 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