Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sunlight Sports is located at 1131 Sheridan Ave in downtown Cody, Wyoming 82414. We're 52 miles (about one hour) from Yellowstone National Park's East Entrance, making us the closest full-service outdoor gear shop to Yellowstone's east side.

  • We're open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and Sundays from 10am to 6pm.

  • Yes, street parking is available on Sheridan Avenue and throughout downtown Cody. There's also public parking nearby.

  • We're the premier outdoor outfitter for the Greater Yellowstone region, including Yellowstone National Park, the Absaroka Mountains, Shoshone National Forest, the Beartooth Highway corridor, and all of northwest Wyoming. Visitors come to us from across the country for trip planning and gear before exploring this region.

    • Backcountry skiing and nordic (cross-country) skiing

    • Lift-serviced skiing and snowboarding

    • Sport climbing and ice climbing

    • Backpacking and camping (tents, sleeping bags, pads, stoves)

    • Hiking and trail running (footwear, packs, apparel)

    • Technical outerwear and insulation for all seasons

    • Winter sports equipment and accessories

    We stock trusted brands and gear specifically chosen for the demanding conditions of Greater Yellowstone backcountry.

  • Yes! We offer daily and seasonal rentals for winter sports equipment including:

    • Alpine skis and snowboards with bindings

    • Nordic (cross-country) skiing equipment

    • Snowshoes

  • Yes, through our Golden Hour Gear Exchange program. We accept well-maintained used outdoor gear on consignment, including:

    • Skis and snowboards (with approved bindings and repairable bases)

    • Tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads

    • Backpacks

    • Technical outerwear, insulation, and fleece

    • Outdoor lifestyle apparel

    All items must be clean, functional, and from trusted outdoor brands. Space is limited, so we maintain a curated selection. Visit our Golden Hour Gear Exchange page to learn how it works.

  • Absolutely! This is what we do best. Our staff lives and explores these mountains year-round. We provide free trip planning advice including:

    • Current trail conditions for local hiking, climbing, and skiing routes

    • Route recommendations based on your experience level and timeframe

    • Seasonal activity guidance (what's good right now)

    • Gear recommendations for specific trips

    • Wildlife safety and Leave No Trace practices

    • Fishing beta for local waters

    Just stop by the shop or call us at 307-587-9517. We love helping people have perfect adventures in our backyard.

  • That depends entirely on your experience level, fitness, timeframe, and what you want to see!

    We have written our own guidebook, Sunlit Trails, that you can buy on this site or in-store, for the entire area we serve.

    Some local favorites include:

    • Absaroka Mountains: High alpine terrain, wildlife, serious backcountry

    • Shoshone National Forest: America's first national forest, endless wilderness

    • Beartooth Highway corridor: High-altitude lakes, wildflower meadows, stunning drives

    • South Fork Valley and Heart Mountain: Family-friendly day hikes

    • Clark's Fork Canyon and Sunlight Basin: Dramatic views and wild country

    Stop in and we'll dial you into exactly what you're looking for. Also, check out our East Side Stories page for some great hikes that you can read more about.

  • We host several regular free community events:

    Thursday Pint Nights (weekly, year-round): Stop by Thursday evenings for complimentary beverages, community connection, and support for local youth outdoor nonprofits. Purchase a limited-edition pint glass and 100% goes to one of five partner organizations. Bring your glass back any Thursday for free drinks. No RSVP needed—just show up.

    Saturday Sun Days (summer hiking series): Free guided group hikes exploring local trails, led by Sunlight Sports staff. Limited to 10 participants per hike. Registration required. Partnered with Mountain Hardwear.

    Annual Community Night: Meet our nonprofit partners, enjoy food and drinks, hear about youth outdoor programs we support.

    Gear demos and skills clinics: Avalanche awareness,climbing basics, route planning skills, and more throughout the year.

    Check our Events page for current schedules and upcoming programs.

  • Since 2010, Sunlight Sports has donated 2% of all sales to northwest Wyoming nonprofits that get kids outdoors. To date, we've donated over $700,000 to local organizations. Recent annual contributions exceed $45,000.

    Your purchases directly support programs like:

    • Dano Youth Camps (free wilderness backpacking trips for kids)

    • Park County Youth Cycling

    • Cody Archery Club

    • Park County Nordic Ski Association

    • Shoshone Back Country Horsemen

    Every Thursday Pint Night, you can choose which organization receives your pint glass donation. It's our way of making sure the next generation gets to love these mountains as much as we do.

  • We focus on organizations based in northwest Wyoming (primarily Park County) whose core mission involves getting young people outside. We budget our giving six months in advance, so contact us early if you have a big event or program coming up. Visit our Community Giving page or email info@sunlightsports.com for more information.

  • Sunlight Sports is family-owned and operated by Wes and Melissa Allen. Melissa is the sister of Sandy Newsome, who with her husband Bob built Sunlight Sports into the premier Rocky Mountain outfitter it is today. When Bob and Sandy sold the shop in 2010, they kept it in the family. We employ between 15 and 20 people year-round, all of them passionate outdoor enthusiasts.

  • Absolutely! This is exactly what we do. Whether you need to rent equipment, buy gear you forgot, or get advice on where to go and what to see, we're here for you. We're 52 miles from Yellowstone's East Entrance—many visitors stop here on their way into the park. We'll get you set up and pointed in the right direction.

  • Yes! We believe the outdoors is for everyone, and we love helping people get started. Our staff will take the time to understand your goals, recommend appropriate gear, and suggest beginner-friendly local routes. No question is too basic. Whether you're planning your first day hike or your fiftieth backpacking trip, you'll get the same expert, friendly service.

  • That's what we're here for. Just tell us what you're planning—a weekend camping trip, a day hike in Yellowstone, winter in Cody, learning to fly fish—and we'll help you figure out exactly what gear you need, what you can skip, and what will work best for your budget and experience level. We'd rather you have a great trip than sell you gear you don't need.

  • We're named after Sunlight Basin, one of the most spectacular wild areas in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, located between Cody and the Beartooth Highway. It's a fitting name for a shop dedicated to getting people outside in some of the most beautiful country on earth.

  • Unlike big-box sporting goods stores, we're an independent shop specializing exclusively in quality outdoor gear and local expertise. We're members of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of independent outdoor retailers committed to expert service, community connection, and protecting access to the best brands and the outdoors itself. When you shop with us, you're supporting local employment and community programs, not corporate shareholders.

    • Phone: 307-587-9517

    • Email:info@sunlightsports.com

    • In person: 1131 Sheridan Ave, Cody, Wyoming 82414

    • Shop online: store.sunlightsports.com

    • Website: sunlightsports.com