XIX^TH Hemingway SOCIETY Conference

Experience and Explore Hemingway's
Wyoming and Montana

JULY 17-23, 2022

The first portion of the 2022 conference, beginning on Sunday, July 17th, 2022, will be held in Sheridan, Wyoming. Then on Thursday, July 21st we will travel to Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana for the remainder of the conference, ending with a banquet  Saturday night July 23rd, 2022.

Present, experience, explore!

The 2022 International Hemingway Conference provides both new scholarship and an opportunity to experience and explore Hemingway’s Rocky Mountain West. There will be two venues: Sheridan, Wyoming (July 17-21, 2022) and then Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana until the morning of Sunday, July 24th. Thursday, July 21 will be a transition/travel day with an opportunity to visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody before arriving in Cooke City. Planning for a the detailed schedule is in the works.

Hemingway arrived by Model-T in Sheridan in 1928 shortly after the birth of his son, Patrick. He left wife and child in search of a quiet place to finish writing A Farewell to Arms. His first stop, the Folly Ranch proved too full of distractions. He fared little better on the third floor of the Sheridan Inn. Finally, in a cabin in the Big Horns he found the place he was looking for. Places to visit. Places to explore.

He went West again in 1930 and travelled across Wyoming to the L-T ranch just outside Cooke City, Montana. It was then, and still is, wild country—spectacularly beautiful, a bit intimidating, and bereft of some 21st Century amenities (don’t expect your cell phone to work!). Buffalo sometimes wander into town from nearby Yellowstone. Inside the Park you will be stopped by buffalo, see grizzlies, elk mountain sheep and, perhaps, a wolf. Plan to enjoy the whole area.

Hemingway returned to the L-T In 1936, 1938, and 1939. In 1939 he sent Pauline away from Cooke City and then got in his Buick with Martha Gellhorn and drove further west to Sun Valley, Idaho.

He gathered material for “The Wine of Wyoming” in Sheridan and for “The Gambler, the Nun, and the Radio” while recovering from an auto accident in the Billings hospital. Death in the Afternoon was completed at the L-T and To Have and Have Not was drafted there. His final story, “A Man of the World” is set in Cooke City. Its wranglers introduced him to big game hunting (bear, elk) in 1932 before his first African safari. Clarks Fork and its tributaries provided world class fly fishing. Check it out. Come, experience and explore.

Most papers will be given at the College in very accessible, state-of-the-art classrooms. There will also be paper and plenary sessions in Cooke City, but the experience there will be more hands-on, with opportunities to tour Hemingway sites, fly fish, hike, visit Yellowstone, and enjoy a chuck wagon dinner. Among speakers already booked for this Conference are Craig Johnson (Longmire Series) and Doug Peacock (model for Edward Abbey’s Hayduke).

Several conference events such as dinners and bus transportation have limited capacity so don't delay. First-come, first served. You must be a member of the Society through July 23rd to register yourself and then your companion(s). Cancellations are fully refundable through June 16th so if a desired optional event is currently Sold Out keep checking back for availability.

In addition, the area is a destination for Summer travelers so secure your lodging and transportation reservations immediately if you haven't done so already. 

Local Wyoming and Montana non-member residents may register (below) for the portion of the conference in their area and recieve a membership in the society. 

Driving a car:
One of the best ways to experience the area of the 2022 Hemingway Society Conference is to fly into Billings International Airport on Sunday, rent a car and drive to Sheridan, Wyoming (2 hours, 133 miles) for the first four nights of the conference. Then on Thursday, a conference travel day, continue on (through Cody for lunch and a tour of the Cody Museum) to Cooke City, Montana (5 hours driving time, 227 miles) where we will spend the next three nights. The conference ends on Saturday night, so on Sunday morning drive the 130 miles, at least 3 hours, of mountain roads back through Beartooth Mountains and Red Lodge arriving late at the Billings airport. Be sure to pack a windbreaker and warm clothing for the trip! 

Driving a car from Billings will be a world-class loop that will take you

• through the Little Bighorn Battlefield;
• to Sheridan, Wyoming (where Hemingway finished A Farewell to Arms);
• over the Big Horn Mountains;
• through Cody, Wyoming;
• through the Absoroka Mountains
• to Cooke City, Montana (from where Hemingway sent off final drafts of Death in the Afternoon and To Have and Have Not);
• then over the Beartooth Mountains;
• through Red Lodge, Montana (hometown of Robert Jordan); and
• back to the Billings airport.

conference Lodging
In Sheridan, Wyoming

(click here for the Cooke City lodging)

The 2022 conference begins at Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyoming, on Sunday afternoon July 17, 2022. The conference will remain in Sheridan until Thursday morning, July 21st before moving on to Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana, for the remainder of the conference, ending with a banquet on Saturday evening July 23rd.

Rooms are difficult to find in the middle of summer. We encourage you to utilize one of the supporting hotels below who have set aside blocks of rooms for us and make your reservations as early as possible. Reservations at these hotels and the campus housing at Sheridan College are now available. Be sure to determine cancellation policies. All room blocks will expire June 17, 2022. If any rooms actually remain they will be released then. 

NOTE: Phone these hotels directly to reserve a Hemingway block room. 

            Best Western Sheridan Center
                • 612 North Main Street, Sheridan, WY 82801
                • 307-674-7421
                • www.bestwestern.com 
                • Full Service Hotel – Restaurant and Lounge
                • 3.1 miles from Sheridan College
                • Rate: $134.99-$143.99

            Historic Sheridan Inn
                • 856 Broadway St, Sheridan, WY 82801
                • 307-674-2178
                • www.sheridaninn.com/
                • Currently no full service restaurant.
                • 3.9 miles from Sheridan College

            Mill Inn
                • 2161 Coffeen Ave, Sheridan, WY 82801
                • 307-672-6401
                • www.sheridanmillinn.com
                • Includes Breakfast
                • 0.8 miles from Sheridan College
                • Rate $85-$125

            Sheridan Fairfield Inn and Suites (Marriott)
                • 2105 Sugarland Drive Sheridan, WY 82801
                • 307-675-1280
                • www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/shrfi-fairfield-inn-and-suites-sheridan 
                • Full Service Hotel – Restaurant and Lounge
                • Includes Breakfast
                • 0.9 miles from Sheridan College
                • Rate: $159.99-$179.99

            Sheridan Ramada Inn
                • 1809 Sugarland Drive, Sheridan, WY 82801
                • 307-675-0512 or 307-672-8931
                • www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/sheridan-wyoming/ramada-plaza-sheridan-hotel-and-convention-center/overview
                • 1.2 miles from Sheridan College
                • Full Service Hotel – Restaurant and Lounge
                • Rate $139

          Sheridan College (On-campus Housing*)
                • 1 Whitney Way, Sheridan, WY 82801
                • 307-675-0600 
                • It is possible to book rooms for arrival several days before the conference begins and
                   to stay for several days after the Sheridan segment of the conference ends.
                • Use Conference Code 22/SU-HEM when making a reservation
                • Choose below from three styles of rooms available. 

1) Traditional-style Resident Halls (Founders Hall and South Hall)
                        Single Room (1 person/bed in the room)    -  $52.00 per night per room
                        Double Room (2 people/beds in the room) -  $75.00 per night per room

Founders Hall is configured into four wings with a central lobby. Each wing offers full kitchens and a common living space. Rooms are traditional double rooms near group baths. For more information about Founders Hall click here 

South Hall is configured into four wings with a central lobby. Rooms are traditional double rooms near group baths, with a limited number of private in-room bath single and double rooms. There are three kitchens available for use in South Hall. For more information about South Hall click here

2) Whitney Villas/Lofts  (Shared living area apartments)
            Single Room (1 person/bed in the room)    -  $75.00 per night per room
            Double Room (2 people/beds in the room) -  $80.00 per night per room

Whitney Villas/Lofts consist of shared living area apartments containing a combination of single and double private bedrooms. The shared area has a full kitchen, furnished living area and semi-private bathrooms. Various floor plans available can handle between 5 and 10 people per apartment. Include roommate names with your reservation request if desired. For more information about the Whitney Villas/Lofts click here 

3) Centennial Hall  
               Double Rooms only (2 people/beds in a room)  -   $72.00 per night per room

Centennial Hall is the newest residential hall at the college. All room configurations consist of two double rooms all sharing a common semi-private bath. Each double room contains two twin beds, two desks with chairs, two dressers and two closets.

Sheridan College Housing Information
The College agrees to provide housing to organizing groups (or individuals) desiring housing for the non-academic semester who have the approval of Conference and Event Services. Housing arrangements are not guaranteed until receipt of your copy of the Summer Conference Agreement and payment in full by Friday, July 1, 2022. After you submit your housing request, we will email housing assignment and payment link by June 24, 2022. All reservation NOT paid in full by July 6, 2022, will be released. Housing is provided on a first come, first serve basis until space in the designated conference halls has been exhausted.

Nightly stays are only allowed in conjunction with approved events. Individuals who are looking for space outside of organized events need to refer to the Summer Rental form for weekly and monthly rentals.

Educational/non-profit group rates listed below for the types of accommodations we offer.  Rate includes state mandated occupancy tax and sales tax. All of our facilities are air-conditioned and have internet.  Bedding, bath towel, and a bar of soap will be provided for each guest. Guests are required to pick up these items when registering at their housing and make up their own bed daily. Private bathrooms are available on a first serve basis with limited availability. We offer both traditional resident halls and villas/lofts.  Our villas/lofts are a suite-style living space with a full kitchen, dining space, and seating area with television. Rates listed below are inclusive of all taxes.

Cancellation/Refund Policy: Sheridan College accepts checks and all major credit cards. Notification of cancellations received by Sheridan College on or before July 6, 2022 will be refunded, less a $25 administrative fee. Cancellations received by Sheridan College after July 6, 2022 or No-shows will not receive a refund.

To reserve a room at Sheridan College,  click HERE to create an account with Sheridan College. When creating an account use the Conference Code 22/SU-HEM.

Additional Sheridan area lodging Information may be found at www.sheridanwyoming.com

Moving on to Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana

On Thursday, July 21st, the conference moves 250 miles southwest to the Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana, area for the remainder of the conference, ending with a banquet on Saturday night July 23rd. The Cooke City/Silver Gate community is nestled at nearly 8,000 ft. in the Beartooth Mountains and serves as the N.E. Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  While this location is wild and remote, it also services hundreds of thousands of tourists each year due to its proximity to the biggest and oldest National Park in America.

The Range Rider Lodge in Silver Gate (101 US-212, Silver Gate, MT 59081) is the host site for the Conference. In Silver Gate you are steps away from Yellowstone; it is quiet, idyllic and beautiful. 

Cooke City is a bustling little town four miles away where you will find the bulk of the services. There are hotels, stores, restaurants, gas stations, bars, emergency services etc. There are trails to waterfalls and mountaintops leaving right from the area. You are likely to see Buffalo wandering around or even hear wolves howling late at night.

Please keep in mind the 2022 International Hemingway Conference will be happening at a very busy time of year in Yellowstone country, so plan ahead and book early to make the most of this unique opportunity. 

Lodging Options for the Cooke City Phase
of the Conference, July 21-23, 2022

**Indicates lodging in the Silver Gate area where most events are located. 
If you have any questions relative to the Cooke City transportation or lodging contact Chris Warren at chriswarren1958@gmail.com.

Silver Gate, Pine Edge and Whispering Pines Guest Cabins**
109 US-212, Silver Gate, MT 59081
These beautiful rustic cabins are less than a mile from Yellowstone’s NE Entrance and steps away from The Range Rider Lodge which will host much of the Conference. Most of the cabins have 2 beds and full bathrooms and kitchens. There are 34 cabins in all, ranging in size and occupancy. Prices range from $121 for the smaller cabins to $250 for the bigger ones.
All of these Cabins will be reserved for conference attendees.
SOLD OUT, except for further information bus riders must contact Chris Warren at chriswarren1958@gmail.com, 406.838.2209(home), or 406.426.8166(text).

The Grizzly Lodge**
102 US-212, Silver Gate, MT 59081
The Grizzly Lodge sits just under the majestic Amphitheater Mountain and the Soda Butte Creek winds through the property. There are 20 simple rooms ranging from $90 to $160 dollars and 2 guest cabins perched right above the creek. The Grizzly Lodge will be reserved for conference attendees.
SOLD OUT, except for for further information bus riders must contact Chris Warren at chriswarren1958@gmail.com, 406.838.2209(home), or 406.426.8166(text).

The Range Rider Lodge**
101 US-212, Silver Gate, MT 59081
Twenty-five Rooms are available on the 2nd floor of the historic Range Rider Lodge, seven of them are doubles. Guests will use communal bathrooms and enjoy low rates and exquisite views when they stay in the biggest log structure in Montana and an old Hemingway haunt.
SOLD OUT, except for further information bus riders must contact Chris Warren at chriswarren1958@gmail.com, 406.838.2209(home), or 406.426.8166(text).

Below is additional lodging for attendees with their own transportation.

Lodging in Silver Gate City
https://silvergatelodging.com/

The High Country Motel
The High Country Motel has 10 rooms and 4 Cabins some with kitchens and fireplaces. The rates range from $120 to $180, they have a hot tub, tepee, and horseshoe pit. The High Country will be reserved for conference attendees.
(406-838-2209)
www.highcountrymotelandcabins.com

The Alpine Motel
The Alpine sits at the foot of Miller Mountain and the trail that goes up it. There are 30 rooms; singles, doubles and 2 bedroom suites. Prices Range from $140 to $195 per night.
(1-888-838-1190)
www.cookecityalpine.com

The Soda Butte Lodge
The Soda Butte has 32 rooms of different sizes along with a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and a full service bar. Rates are $140 -$170 per night.
(406-838-2251)
sodabutte@cookecity.com
www.sodabuttelodge.com

The Super 8 Hotel
The Super 8 offers free breakfast in the lobby and the best bakery in town right next door. There are 33 rooms, 26 of them doubles. Prices range from $110 to $195 per night.
(1-800-454-3213)
www.cookecitysuper8.com

The Elkhorn Lodge
The Elkhorn has 6 rooms and 2 Cabins, centrally located at competitive prices.
(406-838-2332)
www.elkhornlodgemt.com

The Antlers Lodge
Built in 1913, this historic lodge was the first place to cater to tourists in Cooke City. Offering rooms or cabins at competitive rates.
(406-838-2432) (1-866-738-2432)
www.cookecityantlerslodge.com/contact

Big Moose Resort
Seven cabins tucked in the woods just outside of town. Rustic and quaint with competitive prices.
(406-838-2393)
info@bigmooseresort.com
www.bigmooseresort.com/

Big Bear Lodge
Four Cabins and 2 suites at the foot of Index Peak, fire pits, home cooked breakfast in the Main Cabin, $125 a night double occupancy.
(406-838-2320)
www.yellowstonebigbearlodge.com

Skyline Guest Ranch
There are 6 Rooms available at this full operating guest ranch, horse back rides, guided fishing trips, home cooked breakfast.
(406-838-2380) (1-877-238-8885)
www.flyfishyellowstone.com

K—Z Guest Ranch
The K—Z has 7 cabins that accommodate up to 4 people each for $100-$120 a night. They offer fishing, horse-back rides, transportation and sight seeing trips to the Beartooth Pass, Yellowstone and Cody, Wyoming. This is about 30 minutes from Conference venues.
(307-587-4410)
www.kbarzguestranch.com

Vacation Rentals
AirBNB has 25 cabins listed in the Cooke City/Silver Gate area. Nearly all of them are log cabins. They range from small one-room cabins for less than $100 dollars a night to large luxurious cabins with up to five bedrooms for $400 dollars a night.
www.airbnb.com

VRBO has many houses listed; most of these are large, luxurious houses accommodating up to 10 people.
https://www.vrbo.com

Campgrounds
There are several Campgrounds within 10 or 15 miles of Cooke City. Slough and Pebble Creek Campgrounds in Yellowstone or Colter, Soda Butte, Fox Creek, Crazy Creek and Lake Creek Campgrounds among others in the Beartooth Mountains.
www.cookecitychamber.org
www.nps.gov

Roosevelt Lodge, Yellowstone
The historic Roosevelt Lodge at Tower Junction in Yellowstone National Park has unique, rustic cabins along with guided horseback trips. It is 35 miles away from the Conference venue but folks wishing to stay here would begin and end their days with a drive through Yellowstone’s stunning Lamar Valley, which holds the Park’s highest concentration of bears and wolves. Attendees participating in the Chuck-wagon dinner might want to stay here.
(307-344-7311)
www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com

Surrounding communities - Some attendees may wish to spend time on their way in and out of town in places such as Canyon Village or Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone, Chico Hot Springs in Pray, MT, or the towns of Red Lodge and Gardiner in Montana or Cody, WY. These locations are maybe an hour or more away from the Conference venues.

CANCELLED

2022 Conference Event

Old West Dinner Cookout

Access to Yellowstone from Cooke City is unavailable. The road has been washed away BY recent flooding and will not be repaired in time for our conference.

During the 2022 conference in Cooke City an Old West Dinner Cookout is planned. This will take place at the Yellowstone National Park and will be a fun event in the Northern Rockies area that Hemingway enjoyed and returned to several times. We will be attending this cookout on Friday, July 22th 2022. Learn about the event here. Read the reviews. It's rated #1 at Yellowstone.

 Society members will receive an e-mail from the Hemingway Society as soon as tickets are available.

One catch, this optional event is open to the public and has a limited attendance. If you are even considering going to the conference we strongly encourage you to go ahead and reserve your place AS SOON AS POSSIBLE  for this popular event. You don't want to miss this one. Registration for this event will not be included in our normal conference registration. You must make your reservations directly with the Yellowstone vendor.     

NOTE: The 2-hour hourseback ride does not provide enough time after the conference day ends to reach the cookout, so please don't sign up for it.

- phone number for Old West Dinner Cook Out reservations 307-344-7311

- email address for Old West Dinner Cook Out reservations - mailto:reserve-ynp@xanterra.com 

There is no need to mention the Hemingway Society Conference in the phone call or email above as this is a public event with reservations made through Xanterra Corp. Headquarters in Denver.

-  See details for Old West Dinner Cook Out below.

A credit card is required to hold your reservation. Your credit card will not be charged if you cancel your reservation prior to 7 days before the cookout (before July 15th, 2022). You can enjoy a ride from the Roosevelt Lodge to the cookout location in either a covered wagon or on horseback. The covered wagon option is limited to 185 people. Please note: Book either the Wagon Ride or the 1 hour horse-back ride. Time does not allow for the Keynote and the 2 hour horse-back ride option.

This is special. Don't miss out on this.

Old West Cookout Menu

Steak (12 oz. serving for adults, 6 oz. for children), coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, chuck wagon corn, corn muffins, watermelon, fruit crisp, and assorted beverages.Vegetarian meals can be accommodated with advance notice.

Horseback Rides to Cookout

One-Hour Ride
The one-hour ride goes through sagebrush flats (following the trail used for the regular one-hour horse ride) to the cookout site. The return ride is direct and takes about 30 minutes. (To ride a horse a person must be at least 8 years old, 48 inches tall and weigh under 240 lbs, understand English, ages 8-17 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or over)

Two-Hour Ride
The 2-hour rides does not provide enough time after the conference day ends to reach the cookout, so please don't sign up for it.

Wagon Ride time to Cookout

Ride takes 30 – 45 minutes and goes through sagebrush flats (following the same road used for the stagecoach rides) to the cookout site. The wagons are canvas-covered with padded bench seats; each wagon is drawn by two horses.

Children 2 and under are free if they share from adult’s plate and ride on a lap. Child rate applies for children 3 – 11 years who will have their own plate. Any minor (under 18) must be accompanied by an adult (over 18).

Insider Tips

Since the cookout begins at dusk, this can be a perfect time to watch wildlife in the Roosevelt area.
One of the highlights of the cookout is enjoying a good old fashioned cup of coffee brewed over a campfire.
Some of the best cobbler around is served during the cookout. Be sure to save room for dessert.

Overview

The Wyoming and Montana conference promises to be both exciting and rugged—a change of pace from the major cities where the conference has been hosted in recent years. The American West offers a chance to unwind and experience some of Hemingway’s favorite scenery. Along with these benefits, however, the rural venues and lodging may pose some challenges for attendees who have accessibility needs. The conference organizers aim to meet the needs of all attendees and will respond to accessibility needs as thoroughly as possible within the constraints of these historic and rural venues.

Accessibility questions and answers for the Sheridan and Cooke City venues are shown below. We will add more Q&As as we receive them. If these Q&As do not meet your individual needs for accommodations you are invited to communicate directly with the Accessibility Coordinator, Krista Quesenberry, at accessibility@hemingwaysociety.org. 

Sheridan Accessibility Q&A

Sheridan Q&A #1: Will the bus from the Billings Airport to Sheridan be accessible? Optional transportation provided by the conference between the Billings airport and Sheridan will be wheelchair accessible and air-conditioned. Those who intend to use the shuttle service and require a wheelchair tie-down would benefit from communicating their travel schedules to the Accessibility Coordinator to ensure that the wheelchair space is available at the time it is required.

Additionally, both shuttle-bus riders and drivers should be aware that the trip from Billings to Sheridan is approximately 2 hours long. Cell phone service is unavailable for about 45 minutes during the cross over the mountain, and there are few opportunities to stop for restrooms or gas throughout the drive. The shuttle bus will not plan to make any stops between Billings and Sheridan.

Sheridan Q&A #2: What wheelchair-accessible lodging and transportation options are available in Sheridan? Conference events in Sheridan will be held at the Sheridan College campus, where some housing with limited accessibility is available; for details about accessible housing options on campus, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator.

For conference-goers who plan to stay off campus, the Best Western and Holiday Inn are the recommended hotels for wheelchair-accessible rooms; the Historic Sheridan Inn offers only one fully wheelchair-accessible room but does have an elevator and bathtub benches available. The Mill Inn does not offer accessible rooms. A wheelchair-accessible shuttle will run throughout the conference between the campus locations and selected hotel sites.

Sheridan Q&A #3: Are there accessibility concerns at the Sheridan Airport? For those who choose to fly directly to the Sheridan Airport, the small facility should pose no challenges. While there are no dining facilities at the airport, the drive to dining options in Sheridan is no more than 10 to 15 minutes.

Sheridan Q&A #4: Will the Opening Reception at the Brinton Museum be accessible? This event will be held indoors and on the patio of the fully accessible Brinton Museum, which is a 20-minute drive from the Sheridan College campus. The trolley provided by the conference will not be wheelchair-accessible, so wheelchair-using attendees should arrange for their own transportation and can easily park in accessible spaces at the Museum. 

Sheridan Q&A #5: Will the PEN/Hemingway Fundraiser hosted by the Ucross Foundation be accessible? This event will be held outdoors, with some indoor galleries and exhibitions made available by the Ucross Foundation for independent browsing. As with all outdoor events, sound projection and accessible restrooms will be available. Transportation will be provided for the 30-minute drive from Sheridan to Ucross, and upon arrival at Ucross guests will need to travel about 200 to 250 feet by way of a gravel path. Any outdoor sensory or mobility access needs should be indicated to the Accessibility Coordinator in advance, if possible. 

Sheridan Q&A #6: Will the Travel Grants Fundraiser at the Historic Sheridan Inn be accessible? This event will be held in an accessible hotel ballroom space. Wheelchair users will need to travel approximately 160 feet from the parking lot to the main entrance, including a 20-foot ADA-compliant ramp. Guests who have trouble with sensory stimulation, visibility, or auditory interference may want to contact the Accessibility Coordinator in advance so that seating arrangements can be made accordingly. The trolley provided by the conference will not be wheelchair-accessible, so wheelchair-using attendees should arrange for their own transportation and can easily park in accessible spaces at the Inn. 

Sheridan Q&A #7: Will the Hemingway Trivia Night at the Blacktooth Brewery be accessible? This event will offer limited accessible seating (unattached outdoor tables). There are no designated wheelchair-accessible parking spaces; nearby street parking (with curb-cut sidewalks and unobstructed pathways) is available but limited. For further details about accessibility limitations at this venue, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator.

Sheridan Q&A #8: How accessible is the city of Sheridan? Accessibility varies greatly throughout the city of Sheridan. It is a busy tourist destination, so all expected accommodations are available, but they may not always be equally available at all businesses. The historic downtown portion of the city is very walkable with well-maintained sidewalks, though many of the historic buildings will not provide accessible entrances or seating options (including the landmark Mint Bar, which has a three-step entrance and narrow passageways indoors). The city’s shopping and dining centers are located in two areas, about a 5-minute drive from one another, with an additional 5-minute drive to get to the Sheridan College campus. This means all attendees should plan to drive or participate in the daily shuttle for all off-campus needs, including transportation to hotels, restaurants, and shopping.

Sheridan Q&A #9: Are there health risks associated with the altitude in Sheridan? The elevation in Sheridan is more than 3,700 feet above sea level (significantly below the threshold for high altitude, which is about 8,000 feet), but parts of the drive to and from Sheridan will exceed that altitude. Conference attendees with health concerns (such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, or pulmonary illness) may want to discuss with their doctors the specific risks and considerations of their individual conditions; however, attendees without relevant health risks should experience no effects from the altitude. Clicl here for more information about altitude sickness.

Have an additional question? Send it to Krista Quesenberry at accessibility@hemingwaysociety.org

Cooke City Accessibility Q&A

Cooke City Q&A #1: Are the buses for the Cooke City portion of the conference accessible? The optional bus that transports conference attendees from Sheridan to Cooke City will also shuttle those riders around the conference sites in Cooke City and Silver Gate. The bus does not have wheelchair-accessible seating or restroom facilities, but it is equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and electric charging capabilities. Aisle widths on the bus will be either 16” or 19”. Wheelchair users should arrange for personal transportation between the two conference sites, if possible; please contact the Accessibility Coordinator for additional information. The route from Sheridan to Cooke City lasts approximately 7 hours, broken up by a stop in Cody, Wyoming, at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The first leg of the trip (to Cody) takes slightly more than 3 hours, and the second half of the trip (to Cooke City) takes about 2 hours. In and around Cody, cell phone access is available, but passengers should anticipate having no standard cell or data access between Sheridan and Cody, then after leaving Cody for the remainder of the conference. 

Cooke City Q&A #2: What accessible lodging options exist in Cooke City and Silver Gate? The Super 8 hotel and the Antlers Lodge in Cooke City each offer a single ADA-compliant wheelchair-accessible room with roll-in shower and designated parking. Details about these rooms can be provided by the Accessibility Coordinator and/or by contacting the facilities directly. Otherwise, many of the lodging options in Cooke City and Silver City are historic and rustic, without mobility accommodations available. The Accessibility Coordinator has worked directly with each hotel, motel, and cabin rental facility in both towns to document ground-floor accommodations and other mobility-friendly options that are not quite ADA-compliant but may meet individual conference goers’ needs. Photos and details documenting accessibility options can be provided upon request. 

Cooke City Q&A #3: Is the Yellowstone Chuck Wagon Dinner accessible? The cookout is a horse or wagon ride to a dinner venue out in the wilds of Yellowstone, which the park staff do their best to make available and enjoyable for all. On the wagons, there are limited wheelchair seats available (19” by 32” open space, without tie-downs), and wheelchairs must be lifted (park staff are available for assistance) or users must be able to climb the 3 steps (30”) to enter the wagon. Wheelchair users who cannot use the wagon seating and service animals may be able to be transported by official park staff (in park vehicles) to the campsite. Accessible restrooms are available at the campsite. Most of the entertainment at the campsite is projected over a microphone for clear hearing throughout the event. Please communicate with the Accessibility Coordinator if you plan to attend this event and your specific needs are not mentioned here. Additionally, the Yellowstone staff and National Park Service offer a range of other accessibility options, as well as accessibility guides. The contact for the accessibility office is 307-344-3351, and the staff requests notice of accessibility needs at least three weeks in advance. 

Cooke City Q&A #4: How accessible is traveling around Cooke City and Silver Gate? While everything in these small towns is compact, the routes are not always clear or level. There are very few sidewalks, so expect to travel across gravel, grass, or asphalt (often littered with rocks, debris, and loose gravel), as well as up some slight inclines while moving about town. For current dining in Cooke City, the Prospector Restaurant (in the Soda Butte Lodge) and the Bistro (outdoor seating) are accessible; Pilot's Perk has a ramped entry but narrow passages, and MontAsia has a walk-up window with a single, low step to traverse. Other restaurants in Cooke City and Silver Gate will require at least one step at the entrance and/or have tighter seating areas, though on-the-spot accommodations may be possible by request.   

Cooke City Q&A #5: What medical services are available in Cooke City? Cooke City and Silver Gate do not have a pharmacy or any medical facilities in town. However, there is a local volunteer first-responder facility in Cooke City with a typical 911 response time of 5 minutes; the medical team works with partners at Yellowstone and in Cody, Wyoming, to provide emergency transportation, and there is a Life Flight helicopter landing zone in town for urgent emergencies. 

Cooke City Q&A #6: Are there health risks associated with the altitude in Cooke City? The elevation in Cooke City is more than 7,600 feet above sea level (near the threshold for high altitude, which is 8,000 feet), and parts of the drive to and from Cooke City may further exceed that altitude. Conference goers should take care to acclimate slowly, avoid overly strenuous exercise, and prepare for mild headaches. Additionally, those with health concerns (such as hypertension, asthma, diabetes, or pulmonary illness) may want to discuss with a doctor the specific risks and considerations of their individual conditions. Clicl here for more information about altitude sickness.

Have an additional question? Send it to Krista Quesenberry at accessibility@hemingwaysociety.org.