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!