Cody sits beside the Shoshone River, and a short drive from town the water turns lively. A guided rafting trip takes you through rapids and calm stretches in a canyon of rust-red and tan rock, with a guide steering and coaching your paddling. Splashes are guaranteed in higher water, while quieter sections leave time to look at cliffs, birds and the sage-covered hills above. The trip suits first-timers and families with active children, and it is one of the most affordable ways to add adventure to a Yellowstone visit from the east side. Wetsuits, helmets and life jackets are normally provided, and the guides cover safety before you launch. It pairs well with a morning at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West or an evening at the Cody Nite Rodeo in summer.
The Shoshone River runs out of the Absaroka Mountains and past Cody on its way east, and the stretch near town is shaped by the same volcanic and sedimentary layers that frame the road to Yellowstone's East Entrance. The canyon walls are striped in warm colours, and the rock formations known locally as hoodoos and spires appear in the distance.
Rafting here has a different feel from the Snake River near Jackson: it is a smaller, more intimate river, the water is colder, and the rapids tend to be friendly rather than extreme. That makes it suitable for people who want some thrill without a full day of paddling.
On the day, expect a briefing on the riverbank covering paddle commands, how to sit in the raft, what to do if you fall in and how to float on your back with your feet downstream. Guides then take you through the course, calling strokes and pointing out the best lines. Between rapids there are pauses to look at the scenery and sometimes to swim in a calm eddy, if the water temperature and conditions allow.
Expect to get wet, so wear quick-drying clothes, a swimsuit and shoes that stay on your feet. Leave cameras and phones behind or protect them in a dry bag, and wear sunscreen and a hat. Water levels change through the season, and the guide will tell you what to expect.
The best time to raft is usually late spring and early summer, when snowmelt feeds the river and the rapids are at their liveliest, though trips continue into late summer at lower levels. Mornings are cooler and often calmer for weather; afternoon trips can be warmer but occasionally windy. Check the age and weight minimums with the operator, and ask about the trip's difficulty if you have never rafted before.
Anyone with a bad back, heart condition or pregnancy should ask before booking. Transportation to the put-in is typically part of the experience, so confirm the meeting point and allow time for the drive and for changing afterwards.
Cody makes a pleasant base for a few days before or after Yellowstone. Combine the rafting with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, which rewards at least half a day, with Old Trail Town for frontier buildings, and with the McCullough Peaks wild mustang tour for a quieter morning. The East Entrance road to Yellowstone follows the same river valley, so you may see the water from above when you drive into the park.
Fit
Families with older children, groups of friends, couples who want a shared adventure, and travellers who would like to try rafting without the larger crowds of the Jackson Hole rivers.
What to expect
The experience
A guided whitewater raft trip on the Shoshone River near Cody, with a safety briefing, paddling instruction and canyon scenery.
Best time
Late spring and early summer for the liveliest rapids; trips continue into late summer at lower levels.
How long
Roughly a half day including the briefing, transfer to the river and time on the water.
Tips
Wear quick-drying clothes and shoes that stay on, use sunscreen and keep valuables in a dry bag or in the car.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Easy-access whitewater near Cody, good for first-timers.
- Families
- Suitable for active children who meet the operator's minimum age and weight.
- Couples
- A shared splash-and-scenery outing in the canyon.
- Pair with
- Buffalo Bill Center of the West or the Cody Nite Rodeo.
- Time needed
- A half day.
Good questions
Do I need rafting experience?+
No. A guide steers and teaches paddling and safety before you launch.
How wet will I get?+
Expect to be splashed, and possibly soaked in higher water. Wear quick-drying clothing.
Is equipment provided?+
Life jackets and helmets are standard. Ask about wetsuits or jackets when you book.
What is the minimum age?+
It varies with water levels and the operator. Check the age and weight limits in your confirmation.
When is the best time to go?+
Late spring to early summer has the most powerful water; later in the season the river is gentler.
