- Massive Two Year Immersive Launch: The extensive Buffalo Nation installation serves as the premier national exhibition dedicated entirely to the biology, history, and restoration of the American bison.
- Five Museum Interdisciplinary Footprint: The initial journey spans six unique Spotlight Exhibitions distributed across the Smithsonian-affiliated complex, pairing fine art with scientific specimens.
- Interactive Digital Storyteller Modules: Visitors can directly interface with video simulators featuring authentic commentary from Indigenous tribal representatives, working ranchers, and park scientists.
- Strategic Gateway Museum Positioning: Located just 50 miles from the East Gate of Yellowstone, this expansive attraction serves as an essential introductory stop for western travelers
The American West is inviting history buffs, nature lovers, and cultural enthusiasts to experience a monumental new exhibition celebrating our country’s most iconic mammal. Located in Cody, Wyoming, the prestigious Buffalo Bill Center of the West has officially launched Buffalo Nation, a sweeping, two-year immersive installation designed to honor the American bison. Coinciding beautifully with the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations, this multi-sensory masterpiece takes independent travelers on a powerful journey through the deep past, near extinction, and triumphant modern comeback of an animal that survived the Ice Age.
Before venturing into nearby Yellowstone National Park, exploring this expansive showcase is an absolute must for travelers. The unique layout unfolds across the center’s famous five-museum complex, starting with six distinct Spotlight Exhibitions. Visitors can explore rare firearms, fine art, archival photography, and actual natural history specimens like a reconstructed bison skeleton from Yellowstone. The main exhibition space expands the adventure through large-scale audiovisual effects, floor-to-ceiling imagery, and tactile zones where guests can touch actual bison hide and bones.
What makes this community-driven project truly remarkable is its emphasis on living history. Interactive Storyteller Modules allow curious holidaymakers to engage in simulated conversations with native leaders, modern ranchers, and leading biologists who are actively restoring bison herds today. Backed by tribal partnerships and an introductory film from legendary documentary maker Ken Burns, the display highlights the deep spiritual and ecological connections that bind this magnificent species to our shared landscapes. With tickets conveniently valid for two consecutive days, it provides an unforgettable, educational, and deeply moving summer highlight for families discovering the American frontier.