One of the best things to do while at Yellowstone National Park is to attend a Yellowstone Cowboy Cookout. It is more than just a meal it’s a true taste of the Old West deep in the backcountry. Following a picturesque wagon ride, you reach the cowboy camp, where there is a good barbecue dinner and everything else that you’d expect of the West.
How the Experience Begins
Starting out in the backcountry of Yellowstone on a wagon with a cowboy for company, leads to the heart of the park, and into a camp for cowboys that is otherwise inaccessible to visitors. When you get there the crowds and the parking lots are far behind.
Arriving at Cowboy Camp
Once you roll into camp, live music is already playing and the atmosphere leans fully into Old West charm. It sets the tone immediately, this isn’t a quick meal stop, it’s an experience built around slowing down and soaking in the setting.
What’s on the Menu
Dinner is a big barbecue feast complete with baked beans, cornbread, smoky barbeque and rustic western comfort food. Easy, filling and just what you need after a day’s exploring America’s first national park.
A Tip on Timing Your Plate
Get in line for food early. The spread is generous, but like any great barbecue, the best bites tend to disappear fast once the line starts moving, so don’t hang back too long.
Everything Happens Before the Bell
All the fun, music, mingling, and wagon ride happens before the meal itself. The dinner bell is your cue that food is ready, so stay close to camp once things get going.
More Than Old Faithful
While Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring are the highlights that most people know and love about Yellowstone, the Cowboy Cookout is different, it’s a place to take a break from electronics and enjoy the park in a new way.
Ideal for First Timers and Returning Visitors
This is either your first time at Yellowstone, or are you coming back to see more. This experience is about making a list of sights, into a real memory to share with others.
Book Early for Summer Trips
Visiting in August? Book this one early. Summer is Yellowstone’s busiest season, and spots fill up quickly, so don’t leave it to chance once you’ve already arrived.
