Community Spotlight: Copperleaf, WY
There are some things you just have to see to believe. This was the sentiment of Teddy Roosevelt in 1906 when he visited what he soon dubbed “the most scenic 52 miles in the United States.”
Known locally as the North Fork Highway, the road parallels the Shoshone River, with the majestic Absaroka Mountains rising to the southwest. It’s here, tucked at the base of those towering peaks, that you’ll find Copperleaf, northwestern Wyoming’s newest neighborhood, dedicated to quality living in a truly jaw-dropping setting.What’s so Special About Copperleaf? It’s not an overstatement to say that Copperleaf is the ideal Western community. The combination of its small size, environmentally protected surroundings and limited number of premium home sites makes it the perfect place for log home lovers who enjoy a healthy dose of peace and quiet. And, since it’s located just 20 minutes away from the charming town of Cody, you’re only a short car ride away from Main Street shopping, fine dining, entertainment, day spas, schools, a regional airport and medical services. Sound like the best of both worlds? It really is.
Residents will be pleased to find that the Wapiti Valley averages 300 days of sunshine each year with reasonably mild winters and summer days lingering in the low 70s, making outdoor activities possible—and popular—year round. During the snow season, strap on your skis for a little downhill or cross-country adventure. Too tame for your taste? Grab your pick and head toward the south fork of the Shoshone River, home to some of the best ice climbing in the US.
In the warmer months, local activities are virtually countless. From biking the twisting trails of Shoshone National Forest to roughing it at one of Yellowstone National Park’s 11 campgrounds, Cody Country specializes in all things outdoors. Some local secrets: The area offers more than 2,000 miles of fishing waters, so a quiet place just for you and your reel can always be found. Or, if you’re up for an aerobic adventure, think about hiking the 7.2-mile loop to the top of legendary Heart Mountain, but be sure to get permission from the Nature Conservancy (the nonprofit group that oversees the pristine area) first.
And that’s not all. For those culture buffs out there, consider the area surrounding Copperleaf your own little slice of historical heaven. In fact, Cody, dubbed the Rodeo Capital of The World, is home to the 300,000-square-foot, five-museum complex of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, which houses the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Cody Firearms Museum, the Plains Indian Museum, the Buffalo Bill Museum and, the newest member of the group, the highly-interactive Draper Museum of Natural History. Or for a real peek into the Wild West, spend a day at Old Trail Town, where you can find historic buildings dating back to 1879. Step inside the Hole-in-the-Wall cabin, home of Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and the River Saloon where bullet holes can still be seen in the door! Back at Copperleaf, every aspect of the community has been carefully thought out and designed to ensure the preservation of open space, expansive views and the vast riverfront. Still in the beginning stages of planning, the folks at Copperleaf plan to follow in the tradition of the grand Western and Adirondack lodges by building the River Club, a community lodge that will feature spacious common rooms, a stone fireplace, a spa and outdoor pool overlooking the river below.
The community’s generously sized home sites range from 1 to 3 acres, and all feature breathtaking valley views of the surrounding mountains, forest and river. To capture the spirit of the mountain setting, architectural and landscape guidelines have been set to preserve and enhance the natural beauty surrounding Copperleaf. Custom log and timber frame homes, with plans starting at 2,000 square feet of living space, come complete with log and stone exteriors. Several local and regional builders, architects and landscape designers are available to assist with the design and construction of your custom home at Copperleaf, including preferred builder McClure Custom Builders, log home manufacturer Rocky Mountain Log Homes, PrecisionCraft Log and Timber Homes and Lindal Cedar Homes.
So if natural beauty, a relaxing lifestyle and a beautiful custom home top your list of priorities for your future residence, look no further than Copperleaf. Welcome home. County: Park County, population 27,100
Nearest cities: Cody, Wyoming (23 miles) | Billings, Montana (127 miles)
Resources: discovercopperleaf.com
Find: Rural Land for Sale
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