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.
| 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 — or see the full Sheridan cabin collection. Our Wyo Stays 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.
Browse All Stays
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
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.