Buffalo Bill Reservoir is the dramatic blue lake just west of Cody, Wyoming – a trout-rich reservoir on the Shoshone River set among red-rock canyons on the road to Yellowstone, held behind a dam that was once the tallest in the world. Named for William “Buffalo Bill” Cody himself, it’s a windswept, scenic state park lake and a classic stop on the way to the park’s East Entrance.
This guide covers Buffalo Bill Reservoir: the fishing, the historic dam and state park, and access. It’s part of our growing Wyoming Lakes Database.
Buffalo Bill Reservoir at a glance
- Surface area: ~8,000 acres on the Shoshone River
- Location: Park County, northwestern Wyoming (just west of Cody)
- Built: Buffalo Bill Dam, completed 1910 – once the tallest dam in the world
- Top fish: rainbow, brown, cutthroat & lake trout (Mackinaw)
The historic dam
Buffalo Bill Dam is an engineering landmark – when it was completed in 1910 it was the tallest dam in the world, a graceful concrete arch wedged into the narrow Shoshone Canyon. The dam’s visitor center, perched on top with dizzying views down the gorge, tells the story of its construction and of Buffalo Bill Cody, who helped promote the irrigation project that created the lake.
Fishing Buffalo Bill Reservoir
The cold, deep reservoir is a strong trout fishery: rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, plus lake trout (Mackinaw) in the depths. A Wyoming fishing license is required. The lake is famously windy – so much so that it’s a noted windsurfing and kiteboarding spot – so anglers and boaters should watch the forecast closely.
State park and recreation
Buffalo Bill State Park wraps the reservoir with campgrounds, boat ramps and day-use areas amid striking red-rock scenery. Boating, fishing and windsurfing are the main draws, and the location is unbeatable: the lake sits right on the Cody-to-Yellowstone road (US-14/16/20) through the scenic Wapiti Valley – Teddy Roosevelt called it “the most scenic 50 miles in America.”
Getting there and what’s nearby
Buffalo Bill Reservoir is about 10 minutes west of Cody in northwestern Wyoming, on the road to Yellowstone’s East Entrance. Cody – with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and its nightly rodeo – is the gateway town, and Yellowstone lies about an hour west.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a Wyoming license is required.
- Very windy: great for windsurfing, but the wind builds dangerous waves – respect it.
- Don’t miss the dam visitor center: the views down Shoshone Canyon are spectacular.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Buffalo Bill Reservoir?
Rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, plus lake trout (Mackinaw) – a strong cold-water trout fishery.
Why is Buffalo Bill Dam famous?
When it was completed in 1910 it was the tallest dam in the world; today its clifftop visitor center overlooks Shoshone Canyon near Cody.
Where is Buffalo Bill Reservoir?
Just west of Cody in Park County, northwestern Wyoming, on the road to Yellowstone’s East Entrance.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Wyoming, or head back to the Wyoming Lakes Database.
