Old West Dinner Cookout at Yellowstone-Worth It?
 

We will be staying at Roosevelt Lodge in Yellowstone next June with our three boys, ages 17, 15, and 9. I have heard good comments about the Old West Dinner Cookouit there, but it is awfully expensive ($59 per person, I think). Having eaten at many national parks, it is hard for me to imagine the food is worth that kind of money. Has anyone been? Was the experience worth the cost?

We saw the wagons "heading out" when we stayed at Roosevelt and it looked like a scene from an old western; I don't know how the food was, but it would be fun with 3 boys, I think.

We went this past June and really enjoyed it. The food was very good, they have a signing cowboy for entertainment and we saw a black bear while we were eating. We took the 1 hour horseback ride instead of the wagon ride. I recommend it.

Totally worth it!

The horseback ride was as scenic as you can imagine (a very gentle ride, in case you've never done it before, it was my first time on a horse and I loved it). Oh, and we still talk about how good the steaks were!

It is expensive, especially for a family of five but I still recommend it. We took the wagon but I kind of wished we would have taken the horseback ride. It looked like a lot of fun. The meal was very good but you are paying for the whole entertainment experience not just the meal.

Although I've always wanted to try the cookout, I've never been because we've always gone too early in June. If you are interesting in going, I think it starts up in mid-June.

Thanks everyone for your replies! I assume the horseback ride is no more expensive than the wagon ride and that it is included in the $59 price?

My recollection is that you could get to the cookout by wagon, 1 hour horseback ride or 2 hour horseback ride. Horseback rides were priced higher (a bit) than the wagon.

As others have said, it's not just the cost of the food (which is pretty good) but the whole experience. Dusk is great for wildlife spotting.

The one horseback ride is $10 more and 2 hour ride is $20 more (I think). Prices are listed on the website. The 2 hour ride is along some high cliffs, the one hour ride is much tamer.

When you consider the price, keep in mind that any meal in Yellowstone will cost $20 to 25 per person. So you're really only paying $35 per person for the experience and better meal

Thanks so much for your help!! I just looked it up on-line. For anyone else considering the cookout, the 2006 rates are $70 for the 1 hour horseback ride, $72 for the two hour ride, and $51 for the wagon ride. Children under 12 are about $10 less.

Digbydog, I realize your trip is a year away but I hope you report back with your family's experience.

We did the cookout two years ago because my dh wanted to go. The then 13 yo dd and I did a major eyeroll at the prospect but it was truly one of the highlights of our visit to Yellowstone. Only the most cynical won't enjoy it!

we went 3 years ago,it was nonstop entertainment.
you wont regret it
our guides were off season teachers from Texas and Tennesee,they sang and were great for the Kids.
o yea the coffee is cowboy style

o yea, the coffee has been on the fire for a long...long...time. :-)

Does anyone know the menu? We're thinking of June 2007. We'll have to find out when the trips start up, though...

We will be there too late this year, but you all have us really wanting to try this. Maybe on the next trip. Thanks for the great info!

I am sorry Poco but all I remember is really good steak and beans. There was of course, more, I just can't remember what.

A similar set-up in adjacent state offered
choice of steak or chicken
baked beans, corn on the cob and biscuits
iced tea or coffee (BYOB was allowed)
cobbler for dessert

Do tell, Starrsville. Maybe that one would be open in September. Do you have any more information on it?

SB, http://www.buckslivery.com/dinner.html

We enjoyed the winter sleigh ride to a mountain cabin where the dinner I described was served.

Starrsville, we are going in Sept to scout out a winter trip. Seems you've made winter trips to every place I want to visit in the winter - Alaska and Yellowstone.

Thanks for the link! :)

Forgot Colorado on that list . . . is there anywhere you <i>haven't</i> been, Starrsville?! ;-)

This was one of the highlights of our trips. The kids like the horseback riding so much we did a second trip out of Canyon (w/o a cookout!). We did the 1 hour ride (1/2 in and 1/2 hour out) In addition to the steak and beans, I remember the very tasty huckleberry cobbler. And the coffee!

Hit post too soon! I wanted to add that we combined the cookout with our day at the Boiling Pot in Mammouth. It was a great way to spend a day!

I will first say I haven't done it but I think it would be a lot of fun for the family you are describing. One reason we didn't do it was that we were staying at a dude ranch and had a campfire every night with a real live cowboy--which is pretty far from what Hollywood portrays.

Just wanted to add something...we went a few years back and rode the horses. We were told that we couldn't bring cameras because they didn't want us taking pictures while on the horse. (safety issue). The people in the wagons were allowed to have cameras. I wish that I would have asked if we could take them just for the cookout area. Once we got there, many people had cameras and were using them. Something to think about. Enjoy!

Thanks for all the feedback. It sounds unanimous that it's a great experience. My 17 year old, however, did do the eyeroll when I mentioned it. According to the website, they serve steak, potato salad, cole slaw, beans, and apple crisp. I haven't ridden horseback in so many years, and that really appeals to me!

DigbyDog, please post a trip report when you get back. I'd especially love to hear how the kids' views change once you are there. Thanks!

Speedbuggy--I'll be sure to let everyone know how it went when we return!

Digby, I did the eyeroll myself when my wife suggested it to me. I was proven totally wrong. If nothing else, your 17 year old will marvel at the scenery. Overall, the whole experience is not as hokey as it sounds, believe me, and the food is the best I ate in the park.

John, I am going to make my son read your post. Thank you!!

Let us know if you convince your teenager.

Oh, and just so you know, I was speaking of the horseback ride, not the wagon ride, which may or may not be corny. :-)

digbydog - what website did you find it at. I am guessing there a few rides in the park. I will be there in December and would like to go. I need to call tho as one of us is a vegetarian!

John--I told my son you had had the same reaction but really enjoyed it, and he has agreed to go. I am betting he wil love it so thank you!

bgsnmky-- the website is http://www.travelyellowstone.com/Old...kout-1127.html or you can call Xanterra at 307-344-7311.

I made our reservations today. After all the great reviews, I am really excited!

I'm refreshing this thread for anyone visiting Yellowstone in the Summer of 2008.

Does anyone know if reservations are in advance or do you just show up at the time they tell you and sign up?

Thanks

We made reservations at our hotel the first day we arrived for the day we wanted.

I was told that it is best to make reservations in advance, as it frequently sells out. Xanterra is taking reservations now.

Thanks for the replys. I spoke to Xanterra and they are accepting reservations for the cookout now.

My only problem is I am booked at Old Faithful and the cookout ends at 8:30pm which would mean a 2 1/2 hour drive back. I'm going to keep checking to see if anything opens up in Mammoth though and try to do a few nights up there...

TS

I don't think it's a 2 1/2 hour drive to Old Faithful -- is it?

That is what the reservationist told me it would take...maybe because it would be in the dark driving slower?

We made reservations months ahead of time.

We were staying at Canyon or OF (can't recall which) the night we did the cookout and took a bus up to that part of the park. The driver was a geophysics graduate student and provided fantastic commentary during our trip. He was also great at spotting wildlife which was everywhere at dusk/early dark on the trip back.