CallieYellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Have you dreamed of hitching up your wagon, driving across the wild, wild west, watching the bison, listening to a cowboy sing and eating at a cookout all while in a National Park? If you know me then you knew I said YES!!!! I love finding special, out of the ordinary things to do on vacations and the old west dinner cookout was definitely one of those things. Reservations for the old west dinner cookout need to be made a minimum of 6 months in advance although I would suggest a year (as I do with all things National Parks). Once you’ve made your reservation you’ll check in at the Roosevelt Corral located just past the Roosevelt Lodge and Cabins inside Yellowstone National Park.
There’s plenty of parking at Roosevelt Corral. This is where the entire wagon group as well as, the group who have opted to horseback ride in to the cookout meet up. You’ll check in at their outer building a receive a wagon number.
You’ll have the chance to sit down and listen to some cowboy singing as they go over the itinerary and rules. Make sure you bring your bug spray! You’ll find plenty of hungry mosquitos at the cookout as well. I would also bring a hat, wet wipes and sunglasses or a bandana because it will get dusty on your ride out to the cookout.
The horseback riders will start off and shortly after you’ll be loaded into your wagon!
You have the option of signing up for a 1 hour, 2 hour horseback ride or a wagon ride-we opted for the wagon!
And off we go!
Once your wagon team starts driving you’ll hear lots of stories from your driver and see oh so many bison!
After about a 30-45 minute dusty ride you’ll hitch your wagon and head on over to the cookout area. You’ll be able to grab a table, there are plenty and get ready for a nice cowboy cookout dinner. Items on the menu include-
- 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.
You can listen to the cowboy sing….he even takes requests!
Oh and make sure you get some cowboy coffee.
Before you know it, it’ll be time to head on back. The wagon cookout runs summers through the first couple of weeks in September.
Need help planning your trip to Yellowstone National Park? You can find me on Facebook at Callie at Wanderkeep Travel or email me at callie@wanderkeep.com
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