In 2021, we finally did an activity we wanted to do for some time: the Old West Dinner Cookout, put on by Xanterra, the concessionaire for Yellowstone.
The Old West Dinner Cookout is a cookout in Pleasant Valley in Yellowstone, where they serve you a steak dinner and cowboy coffee, and sing cowboy songs while the sun sets. To get there, you can ride a wagon, a stagecoach, or a horse. This experience did not disappoint – everyone in our party really enjoyed it!
If you’re thinking about doing the Old West Dinner Cookout, keep on reading for more information.
The Old West Cookout is located at Roosevelt Lodge at the Tower-Roosevelt Junction in Yellowstone. As you arrive at the Lodge, you can’t miss the parking lot and horse corrals to the south.
Tower-Roosevelt is only about 30 minutes from Yellowstone’s North Entrance.
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We gathered around to hear an employee tell us what we could expect and what rules we had to follow.
From my memory, he said not to pet the horses until they gave us permission, and to only eat one steak until the second dinner bell was rung. Oh, and the bathrooms were a disaster, so go now or brave the nasty bathrooms at the dinner site.
If you book the Old West Cookout, you have three options for getting there: wagon, stagecoach, or horseback. I probably would have chosen the horseback ride if it were just me, but my entire family was with me (including my parents), so we opted for the wagon. When we went, they didn’t have the stagecoach. These are a fairly new option.
The wagon ride is the cheapest, then the stagecoach. Dinner with the wagon ride starts at $94 for adults and around $115 for the stagecoach ride. If you do a horseback ride, it’s around $136.
The horseback riders arrived at the cookout destination at about the same time as the others.
LEARN: Can I Ride Horses in Yellowstone?
An employee helps each person climb a step ladder into the wagon.
The wagon had plenty of legroom, from my memory.
GOOD TO KNOW: The wagons and stagecoaches go on a dirt road and kick up a lot of dirt. If you are concerned about allergies, try to get in the first stagecoach, wear a bandana over your mouth and nose, and take your allergy medicine.
The wagons and stagecoaches are yellow, a nod to the early Yellowstone stagecoaches that were used before automobiles. The stagecoaches are a historically accurate reproduction and have both tally-ho seating and covered seating. Kids under age 8 are not allowed to ride in the tally-ho seats.
The ride crosses over the main road, then travels on a dirt road for about 20 minutes (if my memory serves correctly). Both the wagon and the stagecoach drive the same route to the cookout.
We saw a big bison along the way.
Every employee we met was very professional, kind, and knowledgeable. We never felt like they were just “herding” us through or didn’t appreciate that we were there.
Near the end, they told us that they have to defend the Old West Cookout to the park service every year. One reason I’m writing this review is so others, and the National Park Service, know how nice this experience is, so it can continue to be there for tourists for years to come.
The ride ends in Pleasant Valley. It used to be called Yancy’s Hole, after a man named John Yancy who had a cabin here. When his cabin burned down, the Roosevelt Lodge was built as a replacement.
It’s a nice little valley and a quiet getaway from the crowds.
They had a few antlers and other things that our kids enjoyed playing with.
A stream flows through the valley and they gave us a chance to approach the horses.
An employee literally rang the dinner bell when it was ready, and everyone got in line.
The steaks are cooked on a propane grill.
You get one serving to start with, but after everyone has been served, they ring a second dinner bell, letting you know you can go back for seconds, thirds, and more.
I don’t believe they ran out of food.
Yellowstone is known for having bad food, but I really loved my food! The steak, baked beans, cobbler — I want some right now!
DISCOVER: Where are the Best Places to Eat in Yellowstone? We’ve Got You Covered.
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We don’t drink coffee, but supposedly, the cowboy coffee is really good. They served it hot from the campfire the entire time, I believe.
A cowboy played music while we waited for dinner and while we were eating. He even took requests for popular country songs, though he made no promises that he would be able to honor all requests.
After dinner, we all gathered around the campfire for a little entertainment. They told some jokes to get the crowd loosened up, then had the crowd join in on some songs.
Just a reminder – they told us the bathrooms were nasty and to go before leaving the parking lot. We still saw many people using them.
Cheryl had to use the restroom and said it was indeed gross. So you’ve been forewarned! LOL.
After we got loaded up on the wagon for the return ride, they rode past the cooks and campfire workers. Our wagon had to come up with its own cheer to tell them thanks.
With little time to prepare, all we could come up with was “Wagon 8, Thanks for the Steak, We appreciate!” Not Shakespeare, but hey, it was fun!
For more details and to get reservations, see the Old West Dinner Cookout website. You can reserve them online or by calling Xanterra. This is becoming a really popular thing to do, so get on and make reservations as soon as you know your travel dates.
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Of all the paid experiences I’ve had in the park, including the Lake Yellowstone boat tour and the horseback ride at Canyon, this was my favorite. I highly recommend this experience to enhance your Yellowstone visit.
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YELLOWSTONE TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about Yellowstone National Park, check out our Yellowstone Homepage
ENTRANCES: Yellowstone has 5 entrances: The West Entrance, the East Entrance, the Northeast Entrance, the North Entrance, and the South Entrance. Learn which entrance to Yellowstone is right for you with our Free Quick and Easy Guide
THINGS TO DO: Don’t miss all that Yellowstone has to offer, including Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone Lake, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, and West Thumb and Grant’s Village
GREAT CITIES TO STAY OR CHECK OUT: Learn all about where to stay and where to camp when visiting Yellowstone and things to do in Cody, Wyoming, and other areas surrounding Yellowstone
WHERE TO EAT: Check out the best places to eat, including the Old West Dinner Cookout and also where to get groceries and eat picnics in Yellowstone National Park
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Find out if you need a reservation, what to pack, including bear spray and binoculars, as well as tips for driving in and flying to Yellowstone and the best time to visit
WATCH: Enjoy videos of gorgeous Yellowstone National Park while learning our best tips for visiting by watching our Yellowstone YouTube Playlist
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